Toronto Blue Jays 2022 Draft Report Card

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Best Pure Hitter: The Blue Jays have a pair of players who have a strong case for this category. 2B Cade Doughty (2s) is likely the most advanced pure hitter in the draft class currently, and he had one of the better debuts after slashing .272/.370/.495 with six home runs in 26 games with Low-A Dunedin. However, Toronto was also pleased with the strike zone awareness and in-zone contact of SS Tucker Toman (2s), who was selected one pick in front of Doughty. Toman played 11 games in the Florida Complex League and hit .290/.391/.368 with a solid 24% chase rate.

Best Power Hitter: 1B Peyton Williams (7) was one of the more physically imposing sluggers in college baseball in 2022, with a strong 6-foot-5, 255-pound frame. He homered 13 times and slugged .622 with Iowa during his final season with the program. During his 2022 debut at Low-A Dunedin, Williams slashed .242/.382/.333 over 28 games, with a pair of home runs, but his 90th percentile exit velocity (105 mph) and peak exit velocity (108 mph) marks were the best of the draft class. 

Fastest Runner: The Blue Jays targeted pure hitters at the top of the draft and there aren’t too many burners to be found in this group, but SS Michael Turconi (15) is a solid runner and can occasionally get out of the batter’s box quickly.

Best Defensive Player: SS Josh Kasevich (2) earned above-average grades for his fielding and arm strength in the draft, and the Blue Jays liked what they saw out of his glovework in pro ball, while playing both shortstop and third base.

Best Fastball: LHP Brandon Barriera (1) was one of the harder-throwing lefthanders in the class and while he mostly sits in the low 90s, he has regularly pushed that fastball into the mid 90s and this spring he touched 98-99 mph from the left side. Barriera has an extremely quick arm and could push his average velocity higher as he adds more strength.

Best Secondary Pitch: RHP TJ Brock (6) used his slider as frequently as his fastball during the 2022 season with Ohio State and the pitch earned plus grades by amateur scouts. The pitch has power and depth in the 86-88 mph range, with 2,500-2,600 rpm spin and was again his primary offering during a 12.1-inning pro debut between Low-A Dunedin and High-A Vancouver.

Best Pro Debut: Doughty (2s) has long been praised for his professional approach to the game, so it’s unsurprising that he has acquitted himself so well to pro ball in his debut. Doughty was 47% better than the average Florida State League hitter in his 26-game stint and he impressed with solid on-base skills, solid power and the ability to handle both second and third base.

Best Athlete: Barriera (1) has an excellent foundation of athleticism and an impressive physical engine on the mound. He has advanced body control and when he has to field his position, he looks like a player who could make highlight plays up the middle at shortstop or second base.

Most Intriguing Background: 1B/3B Ryan McCarty (NDFA) had a five-year career at Penn State Abington, where he played shortstop and pitched for the program. He threw 203.1 innings and managed a 3.85 career ERA, and during the 2022 season he exploded as a hitter, slashing .529/.591/1.164 with 22 home runs, 27 doubles and almost three times as many walks (36) as strikeouts (13).

Closest To The Majors: A full-time reliever with Liberty, LHP Mason Fluharty (5) has a unique pitch mix with a cut fastball around 90 mph that touches 94 and a sweepy slider around 80 mph that has 2,400 rpm spin. Fluharty doesn’t overpower hitters, but he has impressive command and nothing he throws is straight, which could give him a quick path to the big leagues in a reliever role. 

Best Late-Round Pick (Or NDFA): OF Devonte Brown (NDFA) showed power, the ability to handle center field and also made good swing decisions in 27 games with Low-A Dunedin. The former North Carolina State outfielder slashed .308/.477/.449 with more walks (24) than strikeouts (21), though he was admittedly old for the level.

The One Who Got Away: The Blue Jays selected LHP Jeremy Pilon (18) in the 18th round and made him one of the youngest players selected—still just 16 years old at the time of the draft.