Toronto Blue Jays 2024 MLB Draft Review
Following the 2024 MLB Draft, we’re taking a deeper look at each individual draft class. Below, find one overarching takeaway from the draft, plus a full scouting report on the most interesting pick on days two and three. You can see all 30 draft reviews here.
Draft Theme: Starters with deep pitch mixes
The BA Board would view Toronto’s first selection of RHP Trey Yesavage as one of the better values in the class. He was ranked as the No. 11 prospect and seen as a consensus No. 3 pitcher in the class but slid to the Blue Jays and the 20th overall selection. Yesavage stood out for his blend of size, strikes and depth of pitch mix, which is something he shares with second-round RHP Khal Stephen and fifth-round RHP Jackson Wentworth. The teams also had a few classic Toronto picks with a young-for-the-class lefty in third-rounder Johnny King and an offensive data darling in fourth-round 3B Sean Keys.
Most Interesting Day 2 Pick: LHP Johnny King, 3rd round
One of the youngest players in the 2024 class, King will be 17 on draft day and has plenty of projection to dream on with a 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame that has already started going in the right direction and a solid foundation of athleticism. He has a high-waisted frame and throws from a lower three-quarters arm slot with a delivery that features a bit of effort and recoil in his finish. He throws a fastball around 90-91 mph that has been up to 94 and has trended up over the last few years, with a snappy curveball in the mid 70s and a low-80s slider—bothhave spin rates in the 2,500-2,600 rpm range and above-average potential. King’s curveball has impressive two-plane break and great finish that should make it an effective secondary against both lefties and righties, while his slider has more of a sweeping shape that should be especially tough on lefthanded hitters from his arm slot. King is committed to Miami and is expected to be a difficult sign. Some teams might try and buy into his feel for spin, up-arrow projection and youth, while others might want to see him prove his ability to start in the ACC.
Most Interesting Day 3 Pick: RHP Carson Messina, 12th round
Messina is a 6-foot-3, 225-pound righthander who has a lively fastball and one of the better breaking balls in the class. He pitches in the 91-94 mph range with his fastball and has been up to 96. The pitch has tons of armside running life that makes it even more difficult to barrel up. He complements it with a mid-80s tight slider with sharp and hard biting action that has earned 70-grade future projections. He gets lots of ugly swings between his fastball/slider combination and has also flashed a low-80s changeup that looks like a fringy, but solid third pitch. Messina will need to tighten his control and streamline his delivery to increase his chances to start long term, but his fastball/slider combination is among the loudest in the class. Messina is committed to South Carolina and plays on the same high school team as potential day one pick PJ Morlando. He is the younger brother of current South Carolina catcher and 2024 prospect Cole Messina.
