Blue Jays Nation’s 2026 Pre-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 14: Sean Keys

Photo credit: © Ray Seebeck - Imagn Images
Feb 23, 2026, 18:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 23, 2026, 19:11 EST
Sean Keys is one of a handful of position players who could break out in a big way in 2026.
This is Blue Jays Nation’s bi-annual prospect ranking, where we’ll look at the top 35 prospects in the system in the month of February. As always, I’ll look at the player’s stats, what other publications have to say, as well as my own observations of the players. If you missed the 15th-ranked prospect, you can read about Blaine Bullard here.
Getting to know Sean Keys…
Position: Third base/First base
Bats: Left
Born: May 26th, 2003
Acquired: Fourth round, 2024 MLB Draft
Previous ranking: 10th
A Long Island native, Bucknell played his college baseball in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania at Bucknell. In his final season, he slashed .405/.535/.798 with 13 home runs in 213 plate appearances for a 216 wRC+, leading the Blue Jays to select him in the fourth round of the 2024 draft.
Keys had a cup of tea in Single-A toward the end of the 2024 season, slashing .293/.378/.451 with one home run in 97 plate appearances for a 134 wRC+, but he began his first full season with the High-A Vancouver Canadians. There, he slashed .217/.365/.408 with 19 home runs in 529 plate appearances, with a 16.3 BB% and 22.1 K% for a 119 wRC+.
There are both some positives and negatives to take away from his season. Starting with the main negative, Keys’ hit tool was a bit exposed, batting just .217 with some issues against high velocity. He’s also a slow runner with fringe range, albeit with an adequate arm for the hot corner. That said, the positives outweigh the negatives.
Last season, Keys’ 19 home runs led the farm system, no small feat. His power is legitimate, and Fangraphs gave him 60-grade raw power in their pre-season ranking. Keys also has strong underlying metrics and is a legitimate breakout candidate for the Blue Jays this season. His Spring Training home run is an encouraging sign as well.
Keys will likely start the season in Double-A, which poses a challenge for the 22-year-old given pitchers at that level have a lot more experience and he’ll see more velocity. If he’s successful, expect him to rank higher in our mid-season update.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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