Several players – both heralded and unheralded – had huge seasons in 2025, with their developmental stages dictating where they will play the majority of their games next year.
Danny Thompson Jr., RHP
Thompson Jr. was drafted in the eighth round last July and quickly made it clear that his stuff was too polished for the Single-A level.
After giving up a run in his first professional appearance, he rattled off 12 2/3 innings of scoreless ball to end the season. His final numbers were elite: a 0.66 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 15 strikeouts against just four walks in his 13 2/3 innings. Thompson Jr., a prospect out of UNC-Greensboro, used his mid-90s fastball and slider combo to throw 11.8 K/9 strikeouts in his college career and could be a quick-developing guy for the Blue Jays. After his performance in late 2025, there should be no doubt that the 6-foot-2 righthander is ready for the challenge of pitching for High-A Vancouver in early 2026.
Austin Cates was almost FLAWLESS 😤 Six shutout frames with only 1 baserunner allowed 🔥 6 IP | 1 H | 0 R | 0 BB | 9K Back-to-Back Gems Put Cates Fully in the Mix for Northwest League Pitcher of the Week 💎
@austincatess @vancanadians #BlueJays #LightsUpLetsGo
Austin Cates, RHP
He has flown somewhat under the radar due to the emergence of some of the other pitchers in his draft class and D-Jays teammates early in the year (Trey Yesavage, Khal Stephen, Gage Stanifer, Silvano Hechavarria). Over 20 games (18 starts) in A-ball, Cates posted a 3.52 ERA and 1.14 WHIP, along with an 8.3 K/9. Things really took off for him late in the season after being called up to High-A Vancouver.
He posted a 1.95 ERA and 0.79 WHIP over his five starts, with his strikeout rate rising to 12.0 K/9, including just one earned run allowed over his last three starts (18.0 innings). Since he only made five starts, it wouldn’t be shocking if he returned to Vancouver to start 2026, but signs point to Cates being the organization’s next breakout pitcher. If he doesn’t start in New Hampshire, it might not be long before he gets a promotion.
Here is Jackson Hornung’s sixth home run of the season last night.
Jackson Hornung, 1B/LF
After a mostly successful 2024 batting season in Vancouver (.715 OPS), the Blue Jays made the surprising decision to put the Ashland, Mass., native on the development roster to open 2025. He spent this time transitioning from behind the plate to first base and the outfield, making his season debut on April 18. It quickly became apparent that the bat had taken a major step forward, producing an .855 OPS in 44 games before being called up to A New Hampshire. Long considered the biggest jump in the minors for a hitter, Hornung’s bat remained consistent, slashing .269/.341/.446 at the senior level. Perhaps even more impressive was that he proved to be an asset at both first base and left field, a surprising development for a former catcher.
Hornung has some Davis Schneider in his game, another late-round pick from a northeastern state whose bat got him through the system. The soon-to-be 25-year-old should be ready for the challenge of playing at the Triple-A level early in the season.
PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER
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