The Toronto Blue Jays’ first pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has officially signed with the team. On Friday afternoon, MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis reported that the Blue Jays have signed the left-handed pitcher to a bonus worth $2.4 million, under the slot value of just under $2.572 million.
Last season at Arizona State, the 6’5”, 230 lbs lefty posted a 3.87 ERA and 4.30 FIP in 83.2 innings pitched, making 16 starts.Prior to the 2026 season, Carlon had made just starts in 55 appearances with the Sun Devils in his first two collegiate seasons. Carlon finished the season with a strikeout rate as last season, 38.7% in 2025 to 38% in 2026, but his BB% dropped from 11.3% to 8.9%.
It’s his stuff that makes him so intriguing, and Pipeline grades his slider at 70, or in layman’s terms, plus-plus. It’s an upper-80s pitch that’s paired well with his mid-90s heater that can touch triple-digits.
According to MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson, Blue Jays director of amateur scouting, Marc Tramuta, noted that he has two October pitches, which bodes well for how quickly he could rise the minor league ladder. It’s not hard to envision Carlon doing something similar to what Trey Yesavage did after he was selected 20th overall in 2024. Time will tell how well Carlon will do in the big leagues, but whenever he begins his professional career, whether it be to end the 2026 season or begin the 2027 season, expect him to make his debut with the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays.
Savings from this draft pick, as well as their other picks in the first 10 rounds, will hopefully allow them to agree to terms with fourth-round pick Will Brick. The high school catcher is committed to Mississippi State and ranked as Pipeline’s 46th-best prospect.
