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Blue Jays: Sean Keys’ eventual second MLB stint has the chance parallel Charles McAdoo’s
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Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Aug 27, 2026, 08:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 26, 2026, 19:58 EDT
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Sean Keys is proving that he deserves a second chance in the big leagues.
He has been the fastest rising prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays system this season. From April 3rd until June 25th, the Blue Jays’ third-rounder in 2024 slashed .284/.409/.619 with 21 home runs in 286 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A.
Despite being a left-handed batting corner, Keys forced the Blue Jays hand and they called him up in late June. His tenure with the team wasn’t great, hitting two extra-base hits, a double and a home run, but slashing just .167/.189/.278 in 37 plate appearances. It was pretty clear that he wasn’t quite ready, nor did the Blue Jays have playing time for the 23-year-old with Kazuma Okamoto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. playing third and first base respectively.
Well, he’s picked up right where he left off with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons since being optioned. In 29 games, the power-hitting infielder is slashing .318/.431/.551 with six home runs, five doubles, and a triple. He’s really gotten going since August 4th, batting .392/.505/.716 with six home runs, four doubles, and a triple in his last 91 plate appearances.
Keys is still blocked by Guerrero Jr. at first and Okamoto at third, but before Wednesday’s game against the Kansas City Royals, Blue Jays’ manager John Schneider noted that Keys is set to play some left field this coming week, the first time he’s done that in his professional career.
It could be a similar situation to Charles McAdoo’s call-up and subsequent demotion. A hot streak forced the Blue Jays to call up the right-handed batter, but aside from a home run in his first Major League Baseball game, McAdoo’s first tenure was rather poor. Overall, he slashed just .160/.160/.280 with four hits over 25 plate appearances.
McAdoo forced the Blue Jays’ hands into a call-up, batting .306/.370/.540 with seven home runs, six doubles, and a triple in his 138 plate appearances upon his return to the Bisons. Those stats look rather similar to Keys’ second tenure with the Bisons.
The 24-year-old looks like a brand new hitter since being recalled on August 10th. Over 44 plate appearances, he’s batting .308/.364/.436 with a home run and two doubles, driving in seven. McAdoo has been a bit too patient at the plate, going down looking a little bit too often. Still, McAdoo becoming a productive hitter upon his return has helped the Blue Jays win some games.
Over the past week, the Blue Jays’ offence can be best described as lethargic, especially with runners in scoring position. With rosters expanding next Tuesday, perhaps Keys can replicate McAdoo’s success and give the Blue Jays some more pop.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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