Blue Jays Land Talented Prep Shortstop in Latest MLB Mock Draft
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With a strong chance in the race to win the American League East, the Toronto Blue Jays are well-positioned ahead of the MLB trade deadline to be buyers.
The downside of that future is that it means the Blue Jays will have to deplete their farm system to add pitching help or a bat.
But that will stand to change with star prospects in the 2025 MLB Draft, starting with Toronto’s first selection at No. 8 overall.
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It will be their first top 10 selection since 2020, and it will be curious to see what direction the Blue Jays go in.
They’ve shown a decided trend since 2015 to circle two exclusive options: shortstop or pitcher.
Will they circle back to a position player after selecting righty pitcher Trey Yesavage No. 20 overall in the 2024 draft?
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Keith Law with The Athletic (subscription required) released his latest MLB mock draft and projects Toronto to go that direction with prep shortstop Billy Carlson.
“I believe the Jays are taking a shortstop here if one of the good ones is available—Carlson, Eli Willits, Wehiwa Aloy—with a college arm as the backup option,” Law wrote.
Carlson, should he be there at No. 8, would fall under the best player available approach the Blue Jays should lead with in the draft.
While they don’t have one of the stronger farm systems in baseball, Toronto hit on their last high school shortstop, Arjun Nimmala, who they took in the first round of 2023.
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Nimmala is now the No. 1 prospect in the organization, mostly surrounded by young star pitchers.
It would make sense for the Blue Jays to double down on a positional player, particularly with the strong draft class featuring several prep shortstops projected to go in the top 15.
Carlson has a strong defensive skillset and significant upside as a hitter, according to his MLB Pipeline profile. Some clubs may view his age negatively since he will turn 19 years old on July 29.
However, his ceiling as an athlete would be enticing for Toronto at No. 8 overall.
There will be a plethora of pitching options in the draft if those shortstops come off the board, but the Blue Jays should hope to land a strong positional player in Carlson.
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Maddy Hudak is the deputy editor for Tulane on Sports Illustrated and the radio sideline reporter for their football team. Maddy is an alumnus of Tulane University, and graduated in 2016 with a degree in psychology. She went on to obtain a Master of Legal Studies while working as a research coordinator at the VA Hospital, and in jury consulting. During this time, Maddy began covering the New Orleans Saints with SB Nation, and USA Today. She moved to New Orleans in 2021 to pursue a career in sports and became Tulane's sideline reporter that season. She enters her fourth year with the team now covering the program on Sports Illustrated, and will use insights from features and interviews in the live radio broadcast. You can follow her on X at @MaddyHudak_94, or if you have any questions or comments, she can be reached via email at maddy.hudak1@gmail.com