​The second 80 percent of the 2026 MLB amateur draft unfolded yesterday afternoon, with the Blue Jays adding 16 more selections after their three picks on the prior day. The overarching theme was strategic dealmaking. Toronto will likely need to allocate additional funds to sign Cole Carlon and Will Brick, both of whom were projected to be selected higher than they ultimately were and could command above-slot bonuses. Brick, in particular, holds leverage due to his commitment to Mississippi State and the possibility of going in the first round three years from now.
As a result, Toronto concentrated rounds 5 through 10 on college players, predominantly seniors who have less chance of returning to school and therefore less bargaining power. They’ll sign for less than slot value, freeing up money to cover the over-slot bets the Jays might pursue elsewhere. It’s important to note that these selections, though not as widely known, are still talented. A prime example is Danny Thompson Jr., who signed as a fifth-year super senior for just $5,000 last year and has already surged to AA after an impressive first full professional season, illustrating how these players can breakout unexpectedly.
Another recurring theme was contact. The Jays targeted several elite contact hitters. Given their later draft position, acquiring top contact ability often came with questions about defensive fit and typically little power, but the Blue Jays have long valued pure hitting ability—and they clearly still do. In evaluating “scratch and dent” picks, Toronto seems willing to accept other limitations to secure their preferred tool.
Here are the selections, listed in order:
5th Round: Nolan Higgins, RHP, Michigan State. The 6’4”, 215-pound right-hander struggled during his first three seasons in East Lansing, but moving to the bullpen helped him post improved results this season. His 5.20 ERA isn’t flashy, yet he struck out 62 batters in 45 innings while issuing only 13 walks. His fastball sits at 93–95 mph and can reach up to 98, paired with a quality low-80s curveball that he can land for called strikes, plus a two-plane slider with strong spin rates. A lack of a changeup and past command issues in the rotation suggest he projects as a reliever, but his stuff plays at that role.
6th Round: Gable Mitchell, SS, Iowa. Mitchell has been a three-year starter for Iowa. He’s consistently walked more than he’s struck out, including during two summers in the Northwoods League with wood bats. He doesn’t supply a lot of over-the-fence power (just five home runs this past season) but did notch 15 doubles and 5 triples in that same season. Gable is an above-average runner with solid defense, projecting as an OBP-focused utility infielder.
7th Round: Dean West, OF, UCLA. Baseball America’s #302 overall prospect in the draft, West is a plus-contact switch-hitter who struck out just over 10% of the time in college and in the Cape Cod League, the premier wood-bat summer league for college players. At 5’9”, he brings a compact, contact-heavy offensive approach and now adds potential speed on the bases and in the outfield. West’s profile suggests a role as a premium contact hitter with defensive versatility, even if the power isn’t a defining feature, and he could grow into a steady big-league contributor if his bat plays up at higher levels.