​The Toronto Blue Jays began the current season with a slate of veteran stars, including Kazuma Okamoto, Dylan Cease, and Tyler Rogers, all brought in to build on last year’s American League pennant run. With that emphasis on established pieces, the farm system understandably slid toward the background. Yet the Blue Jays still boast several young position players who could accelerate through the minors and push for big-league contribution sooner rather than later.
During the MLB Draft on Saturday, Toronto reinforced that depth, especially at shortstop, a position that took a hit with the departure of a franchise icon. In the immediate wake of Bo Bichette’s exit to the New York Mets, the Blue Jays shifted Andres Gimenez to shortstop, with Luis Urias and Ernie Clement providing additional depth. The organization already has promising prospects on the horizon, including Arjun Nimmala and JoJo Parker, who have been turning heads in the lower levels.
But on Saturday the Blue Jays added a seasoned college bat to the mix by selecting University of Oregon infielder Ryan Cooney. The team announced that Toronto selected Cooney in the third round on day one of the Major League Baseball Draft, slotting him as the 103rd overall pick and making him the sixth-highest position-player selection for Oregon in the modern era. Cooney’s selection marks the second Ducks player chosen by the Blue Jays and continues a pattern of Oregon products being tapped in the early rounds, as he becomes the fifth Oregon player taken in the third round of the MLB Draft.
Cooney earned First-Team All-Big Ten Conference honors during his college career, establishing himself as a versatile defender. The Blue Jays quickly drew a comparison between Cooney and an infield standout they already value, noting his polished, high-contact bat. Their scouting description highlighted him as an “Ernie Clement clone” once he arrived in the organization, with a caveat: if Cooney can add more power, it would be a welcomed bonus. Initially, he has logged most of his time at second base, but Toronto’s staff indicated they could experiment with him at shortstop early in his minor-league tenure.
That kind of projection aligns with the organization’s recurring strategy of prioritizing contact-driven hitters who can handle multiple infield positions. Ernie Clement himself has emerged as one of Toronto’s most dependable defenders, earning regular playing time thanks to his versatility and consistent contact ability. In Bichette’s absence, the Blue Jays are likely to explore a new blend of infield options that maximize defense and contact while they search for a lasting solution at shortstop.
Cooney’s arrival also underscores the Blue Jays’ broader plan to blend veteran leadership with a steady stream of multi-positional youngsters. The front office has shown a willingness to test players at different spots on the diamond, aiming to cultivate versatile assets who can adapt quickly to major-league demands. The anticipated blend of a veteran core with a growing cohort of infield prospects could provide the team with more stability and flexibility as they evaluate the long-term fit at short and other infield roles.
As the season unfolds, Toronto’s emphasis on depth becomes even more evident. While the major league roster benefits from established names and proven performers, the farm system’s growth—especially at shortstop and other infield positions—remains a key ingredient in sustaining a competitive trajectory. Cooney’s addition gives the organization another variable to monitor as they shape a plan that balances immediate big-league readiness with longer-term potential. The combination of experienced players and rising infield talent could help the Blue Jays navigate the complexities of roster construction in a league that rewards both proven performance and breakout development.