"The left-handed hitter had one of the best hit tools in the draft and has above-average power, even though he may move off shortstop in the future. The Jays surrendered their second-round pick after signing Anthony Santander last off-season, but that didn't matter at all. They took Jake Cook with their third-round pick, an incredibly athletic outfielder who has future lead-off hitter written all over him. After Cook, they selected Micah Bucknam with their fourth-rounder, the second time they've selected the New Zealand product."
"That said, it's going to be hard for the Blue Jays to replicate that success in 2026. The Blue Jays went over the Competitive Balance Tax last season, which has two ramifications for where they'll pick. The first is that since they were more than $40 million over the $241 million luxury tax payroll, their first-rounder will drop back 10 spots. They finished second-best, meaning that the Blue Jays' first-round pick will be 39th overall."
Blue Jays used the eighth overall pick in 2025 to select high school bat JoJo Parker, a left-handed hitter with outstanding hit tools and above-average power who may move off shortstop. The club lost its second-round pick by signing Anthony Santander, then selected Jake Cook in the third round and Micah Bucknam in the fourth. Canadian high schooler Tim Piasentin went in the fifth, followed by several college players including two-way Austin Smith. Later picks included Jared Spencer, Blaine Bullard, and high school outfielder Jordan Rich. Competitive Balance Tax penalties will push the 2026 first-rounder back to 39th overall.
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