"With their first-round pick, they selected Arjun Nimmala 20th overall. The shortstop is currently their third-best prospect, only behind Trey Yesavage and JoJo Parker. Landen Maroudis, Jace Bohrofen, Sam Shaw, and Grant Rogers all could be ranked in their top 30, while their 20th-round pick, Kai Peterson, looks like the real deal. There were a handful of prospects that didn't sign after being drafted, more than normal."
"The last player who didn't sign was a hedge pick, Chase Brunson. He instead chose to attend Texas Christian University and has put up solid numbers, more on that in a second. Those numbers were so good that MLB Pipeline ranked him as the 44th-best 2026 draft prospect. Brunson immediately made an impact in his freshman season, slashing .291/.390/.426 with four home runs in 177 plate appearances. The 20-year-old's numbers improved last season, as the outfielder slashed .317/.395/.554 with 12 home runs in 258 plate appearances."
"His MLB Pipeline bio notes that he doesn't have any plus tools (60-grade or higher), but he's average or above-average across the board. Brunson was given a 50-grade hit and power tool, while his running, arm, and fielding were all graded 55, good enough for an overall grade of 50. It also appears that's around where the Jays will pick. Since the Jays went over the second tax threshold last season (absolutely worth it), their first-round pick drops down 10 spots, as they're slated to pick 40th overall."
The Blue Jays used their first-round pick on Arjun Nimmala (20th overall), who ranks as the club's third-best prospect behind Trey Yesavage and JoJo Parker. Several other draftees — including Landen Maroudis, Jace Bohrofen, Sam Shaw, Grant Rogers, and late-round Kai Peterson — project as potential top-30 talents. Multiple drafted players did not sign, notably Joe Vogatsky, Sam Kulasingam, and hedge pick Chase Brunson. Brunson enrolled at TCU and improved significantly, earning MLB Pipeline's 44th ranking for the 2026 draft after strong slash lines and even offensive and defensive tool grades. The Jays’ first-round selection will drop ten spots to 40th after exceeding the second luxury tax threshold.
Read at BlueJaysNation
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