The first was his postseason debut against the New York Yankees, where he struck out eleven in five and a third no-hit innings. In Yesavage’s last start (no appearance), he struck out twelve in seven innings of one-run ball.
Yesavage was a first-round pick by the Jays in the 2024 draft, and he is followed by two more first-round picks, both of whom happen to be shortstops. Selected 20th overall in 2023, Arjun Nimmala was one of the top hitters in the six-team Northwest League but struggled in the second half of the season. It was reported that he was injured, so that makes sense Baseball America still holds him in high esteem.
The Jays’ 2025 first-round pick, JoJo Parker, ranks as their third-best prospect. He has yet to make his professional debut, but legend has it that the 19-year-old is considered the Blue Jays’ best player. Baseball America.
Two starters who had breakout years follow their first-round picks. Johnny King is ranked fourth and the left-handed pitcher posted a 2.48 ERA and 3.18 FIP in 61.2 innings with a 39.5 K% and 13.9 BB%. It was the 19-year-old’s first professional season. In fifth place is Gage Stanifer, who posted a 2.86 ERA and 2.70 FIP in 110 innings pitched, along with a 35.5 K% and 12.8 BB%.
King and Stanifer were the big breakers on the pitching side, but Juan Sanchez was the big breakout. It’s been a long time since there’s been a prospect in the Dominican Summer League worth getting excited about, but the shortstop slashed .341/.439/.565 with eight home runs in 253 at-bats last season. It will be interesting to see how he does when he comes to the United States next season.
A pair of prospects acquired before the 2024 trade deadline are ranked eighth and ninth. RJ Schreck, acquired for Justin Turner, hit .249/.395/.459 with 18 home runs in 427 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A. Yohendrick Piñango had a similar season, but is not in the top 10.
The ninth prospect is Jake Bloss. Unfortunately, the right-handed pitcher threw just 23.2 innings in Triple-A before undergoing Tommy John surgery in mid-May. There’s a chance we’ll see the 24-year-old towards the end of next season.
Following Bloss is another Jake, their 2025 third-rounder Jake Cook. The 22-year-old spent his first two collegiate seasons as a pitcher and transitioned to a full-time outfielder in 2025, slashing .350/.436/.468 with three home runs in 284 plate appearances with Southern Mississippi.
Cook has some of the best upside of any player in the Blue Jays system. He has an above-average hitting tool, 80-degree speed and plus defense and arm in the outfield; he has a lead-off hitter written all over him. The only area for improvement for Cook is power, as it is well below average.
At 6-foot-4 and 185 lbs, the sky is truly the limit for the outfielder if he can develop a power stroke.
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