Blue Jays Begin 2026 MLB Draft Selections
The Toronto Blue Jays have started their selections in the 2026 MLB Draft, which is taking place over two days in Philadelphia. The team entered the draft with 19 selections available to them. Their first pick, however, was delayed until the 39th overall selection due to penalties incurred from exceeding the second surcharge threshold of the competitive balance tax last season. Additionally, the Blue Jays forfeited their second-round pick as a result of signing Dylan Cease, who had received a qualifying offer.
The MLB Draft is distinct from other North American professional sports drafts, as teams typically focus on future needs rather than immediate roster problems. This approach allows teams to build their player pipeline, a strategy that has seen success for the Blue Jays in the past with players like Bo Bichette, who spent his entire career with the team until this season, and current pitching talent Trey Yesavage.
First Day Picks Highlight Pitching and Batting Talent
With their first pick at No. 39, the Blue Jays selected left-handed pitcher Cole Carlon from Arizona State University. Carlon, who is 21 years old, is a six-foot-five pitcher known for an upper-90s fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. In 2026, he transitioned into the Sun Devils‘ starting rotation, where he recorded 133 strikeouts and maintained a 3.87 ERA over 83.2 innings, earning him All-Big 12 First Team honours.
Carlon’s arsenal, particularly his fastball and slider, is considered explosive, providing a strong foundation for his professional development. While his curveball and changeup are still developing, his potential as a high-upside pitcher with velocity and a promising slider makes him an intriguing addition to Toronto’s pitching development system. Even if his secondary pitches require more time to refine, his raw talent suggests he could be a valuable bullpen option.
In the third round, with the 103rd pick, the Blue Jays chose infielder Ryan Cooney, a 21-year-old right-handed shortstop from Oregon. Cooney is recognized for his ability to consistently make solid contact and his low strikeout rate, skills that are often valued by the Blue Jays organization. These attributes contributed to him earning All-Big Ten First Team honours in 2026. During his collegiate season, Cooney achieved a slash line of .331/.420/.524, hit eight home runs, and stole 13 bases for Oregon.
The Blue Jays concluded the first day of the draft by selecting Will Brick, an 18-year-old right-handed catcher from Christian Brothers High School in Tennessee, with their fourth-round pick at No. 131. Brick was recognized as Gatorade’s Tennessee high school player of the year in 2026. He is noted for his strong defensive tools, including elite arm strength, and his offensive contributions, which included a 1.572 OPS and five home runs.
Draft Continues with Further Selections
The 2026 MLB Draft is scheduled to continue with Day 2, covering rounds 5 through 20. Day 1 of the draft included rounds 1 through 4, with coverage beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET and concluding with picks up to 135. Day 2 is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. ET.
The Blue Jays will continue to make their remaining selections, aiming to further strengthen their farm system with promising talent over the course of the two-day event.
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- Blue Jays select left-handed pitcher Cole Carlon with 39th overall pick
Source: sportsnet.ca
Chloe Tremblay is the Sports Reporter at CasinoNews, covering basketball, tennis and athletics with nine years of reporting experience. She reported on the Raptors' rise and two Olympic cycles. She holds a degree in Journalism from Concordia University. Based in Montreal, she plays recreational basketball and follows track athletics. “The best stories come from the athletes everyone overlooks.”
