​Yesterday I reviewed the draft details and the Jays’ possible strategy, and today I’m doing a quick survey of the farm system, the shape of this draft class, and a few names to watch. Baseball America refreshed its farm system rankings the day before yesterday in anticipation of the draft, and they currently place the Jays at 18th. Fangraphs has introduced a newly revamped ranking methodology that puts Toronto at 20th, though that figure still includes Trey Yesavage as a prospect. If Yesavage were removed, they’d probably slide into the mid-20s, but other developments—such as Jojo Parker moving into the top 100 and other systems graduating players—are already accounted for. MLB.com had them at 15th before the season started, but again that assessment factors in Yesavage.
Regardless of the exact placement, the overall picture is of an organization that sits in the below-average mix yet remains clearly above the truly weak systems like San Diego, Houston, or Philadelphia. That’s not a bad standing given years of drafting later in the rounds (Parker was their only pick higher than 19th in five seasons), their activity at the deadline, and the penalties associated with qualifying offer free agents. Arjun Nimmala and Parker form a strong 1-2 on the position-player side, and the emergence of Johnny King, Nolan Perry, and Gage Stanifer among others indicates that the investment in the Dunedin pitching lab is bearing fruit. They don’t have a deep stable of prospects, and this draft isn’t expected to significantly widen their depth. While there may be five players with top-100 potential, there isn’t anyone who is a guaranteed fit in the top 50.
The impact prospects are mostly a year or two away; players who should have a tangible impact in 2026 or be ready to contribute as role players include Sean Keys and Yohendrick Pinango, with Jake Bloss perhaps the notable exception. This year’s draft class is being described as unusually deep. There is a clear big-three at the top: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson, and Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey. Just below them sits a fairly tight second tier of about six to seven names—Mississippi high school outfielder Eric Booth Jr., Florida prep shortstop Jacob Lombard, Florida prep left-handed pitcher Gio Rojas, LSU outfielder Derek Curiel, Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell, Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress, and UC Santa Barbara right-hander Jackson Flora—who are likely to go somewhere in the 4- to 12-range. Beyond that, there’s a broader, flatter group spanning from the early teens to the early 40s of the draft, which means there could be a lot of movement on draft day. That breadth is, of course, encouraging for the Jays. It raises the likelihood that a player who would be a clear first-round talent in most years could still be available at pick 39.
Under normal circumstances, I’d comb through mock drafts and pinpoint the players the Jays are said to be tied to. This year, that approach isn’t very reliable. At pick 39, in a class with this overall shape, there’s little to anchor to, and the few mocks that extend that far are basically darts. Rather than tying myself to any single name, I’ll use this overview to illustrate the kinds of players who are likely to be available between picks 25 and 39 so you get a sense of the floor and ceiling of the Jays’ possible selections. The takeaway: look for versatile, high-upside infielders and athletes who can grow into MLB roles, as well as college arms who might be developmental bets with potential for rapid progression. In short, expect a range of players who fit the “upside with a fallback” profile, rather than a single standout prospect at the top of the board.