Toronto Blue Jays MOD #1

by 4dizzle on May 7, 2025 7:07 PM EDT

Hey everyone - looking forward to getting this underway! The draft is one of the most exciting times of the year to me as a fan, and participating in this is always a lot of fun.

I figured we could use this space to initially go about a bit of a strategy. The Jays have 2 first-round picks at #17 and #21, as well as a bunch of, mostly later, sandwich round picks.

Pick #21 is unprotected - as it's the make-up pick for failing to sign last year, meaning that if the Jays don't sign the player in that spot this year, they'll lose the pick. That may be a spot that we want to be a bit more conservative, and perhaps draft a college player - though last year, the Diamondbacks essentially said "to hell with that" and drafted Archie Bradley with an unprotected pick, and that's worked out quite well for them.

So share your opinions on strategy here - should we be conservative at 21? With the new draft rules, is it smarter/safer to focus on college players as a whole? Any preference in position vs. pitching players?

Feel free to throw out some names for the first round too, though we'll get more into specific players later on.

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Comments

Regarding their first two picks

I don’t think they’ll go college for either one, even if one of them is unprotected. Very weak college class(hell, I don’t like the guys at the top of the class all that much that WON’T fall to us) combined with with not having another pick until 50 and this maybe being the last year with multiple picks early. I think they’ll strike early on the best prep eligibles.

by The_Bunk on May 7, 2025 7:33 PM EDT reply actions

Another factor is returns on the 2010 draft. Deck and Woj aren’t looking like the hottest picks(probable 5th starter and reliever respectively).

Just some food for thought, I don’t think any two college players or classes are exactly alike but I think that’s a tidbit to consider.

by The_Bunk on May 7, 2025 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

New CBA changed the rules

The comp pick for the failure to sign Beede is protected again this year.

by TroyK on May 7, 2025 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

I'm pretty sure that isn't the case.

Any third opinion on this?

by 4dizzle on May 7, 2025 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that might be true

New CBA stated picks don’t become unprotected until 3rd year now. Not sure if that is retroactive or not but I would assume so.

by mikero on May 7, 2025 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Really?

Wow, totally did not recall that, and I paid a ton of attention to that CBA. I’m gonna see if I can find something definitive.

by 4dizzle on May 7, 2025 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions

And there it is:

From BaseballAmerica:

• Teams get an extra year of protection for compensation picks for failure to sign draftees from the first three rounds. For example, the Blue Jays get the 22nd pick in 2012 after not signing No. 21 overall choice Tyler Beede in 2011. If Toronto can’t come to terms with the compensation selection, it would get another one in 2013.

Wow, this is great news!

by 4dizzle on May 7, 2025 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely HS targets

Byron Buxton won’t drop, of course, but I could see guys like David Dahl and Albert Almora being in the conversation. Good chance they’ll take a pitcher, too, but I’m not sure who I’d tag as a typical Jays selection. Perhaps Walker Weickel?

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by Woodman663 on May 8, 2025 5:18 AM EDT reply actions

Weickel

Is exactly the type of guy I see as a Jays target. His stock has fallen a bit this season, but I definitely have him on my radar. I really, really like Almora, but don’t imagine he’ll be available by the time we pick first.

Dalh is an interesting guy too, who I can see being in the mix around our pick. ESPN comp’d him to Colby Rasmus a bit ago.

by 4dizzle on May 8, 2025 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

What about Joey gallo?

He could be a really good 1st baseman and could hit some bombs in Rogers centre

by mattyice1515 on May 8, 2025 7:16 AM EDT reply actions

Gallo

I think the Jays could definitely use some big bats - but is Gallo a first round target? There seems to be a lot of questions about him.

by 4dizzle on May 8, 2025 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Hmmm I guess he's more towards the 1s. But I would definently draft him if he makes it to the jays 3 pick of the draft

by mattyice1515 on May 8, 2025 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes. You have to realize that with the current standing of the Jays farm system, and the amount of picks that we have at the top of this draft that we are in an absolute perfect situation to shoot for upside picks. Gallo has question marks; but he also possesses true All-Star potential with scary power upside. He definitely has his supporters as well; with people like Frankie Piliere and some of the PG guys being big fans. He is definitely an option at 22 and will likely go in that 20-30 range anyways (if not even higher; who knows what happens in this draft).

DJ Davis is another player that fits this mold. Raw player; but you can gamble on the tools because of the amount of picks available and the fact that the farm system doesn’t need any immediate sure-thing. DJ Davis is also interesting because not only does he provide exciting upside, he also provides almost a signability-type value because he is committed to a JUCO and will almost surely sign for slot.

by metafour on May 11, 2025 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

New CBA and picks,

Wonder if one of the 1s pick (especiall one of the 2 last one) should be used for someone who would be an easy sign below cap so to give some room either in early pick, or go over draft later a la Hutchison?

by expos&nordiques4ever; on May 9, 2025 10:02 PM EDT reply actions