Mock MLB Draft Roundup 2.0: The Blue Jays and their first round pick

Roughly three weeks ago, our first roundup was posted regarding the Toronto Blue Jays and their 20th overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft, slated for Sunday, July 9th. Let’s take a look at some more players who the team could select this year.

Last year, the Jays selected left-hander Brandon Barriera out of American Heritage High School, with the southpaw now one of the top-ranked prospects in the system in his first professional season (he did not pitch in an affiliated league last year).

Looking at the MLB Pipeline, the Jays’ pick is slotted around where a significant amount of college-level infielders at shortstop and third base, with a couple of high school arms around that area as well. Considering the draft never goes how the rankings are shown, it will be interesting to see the path the Blue Jays choose to go.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the updated mock MLB Drafts posted by analysts and various websites over the past week.

Mac Horvath – OF (North Carolina)

Keith Law – The Athletic

In the mock draft by Keith Law, the Blue Jays look to add to their outfield depth by drafting Mac Horvath 0ut of North Carolina. The righty-batter played 57 games for the Tar Heels this past season and showcased his impressive power bat, knocking in a team-leading 22 home runs while also adding 62 RBIs on the year. His 1.141 OPS and .716 SLG led the team as well, while he finished third in the conference in homers while also adding 24 stolen bases (also third in the conference).

While he did play third base to mixed results, scouts predict his calling card is in the outfield given his plus speed and physicality. He currently ranks at #96 on the MLB Pipeline and is predicted to be a second or third-round pick, although we have seen the Blue Jays go down the rankings to draft a bat-first type of player (Jordan Groshans for example).

The Blue Jays have also drafted from the University of North Carolina in the first round before, selecting Russ Adams (2002) and Logan Warmoth (2017) from the program with their top picks in those respective years.

Tommy Troy – SS (Stanford)

Jonathan Mayo – MLB Pipeline

In the first edition, we had Jim Callis over at MLB Pipeline. This time around, we have Jonathan Mayo, and he believes the Blue Jays will use their top pick on Stanford shortstop Tommy Troy.

The past two seasons have seen Troy really stand out for the Cardinals, as the righty batter has done nothing but put the ball in play.

Tommy Troy

Year	Tm	Lg	Lev	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
2022	Stanford	P12	NCAA	55	183	34	62	15	3	7	23	5	8	9	38	.339	.371	.568	.939
2023	Stanford	P12	NCAA	48	208	65	82	15	4	14	46	17	1	26	35	.394	.473	.707	1.180

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table This past season, Troy finished second on the team in batting average, OBP, SLG, and OPS while finishing fourth in home runs and fifth in RBIs on a potent Cardinals squad that finished the year 38-16, with the California product leading the team in stolen bases. Defensively, the right-handed infielder amassed a .926 fielding percentage on the year, finishing with seven errors. Last summer, Troy also went to the prestigious Cape Cod League and played 20 games with the Cotuit Keettlers, slashing .310/.386/.531 with five home runs, a team-leading 20 RBIs, and a .917 OPS. Troy is ranked at #19 on the MLB Pipeline rankings and should the Jays select the Stanford product, he would join a crowded prospect middle infield that boasts the likes of Tucker Toman, Josh Kasevich, Cade Doughty, and Manuel Beltre. Fans can see Troy later this week as Stanford is ranked #8 and will be hosting one of the regionals for the NCAA Championship, as the Cardinals look to advance to the College World Series.

Kevin McGonigle – SS (Monsignor Bonner)

Dan Zielinski III –  Baseball Prospect Journal

In my previous article, Justin Miller over at Just Baseball also thought that McGonigle and the Blue Jays would be a good fit and Dan Zielinski III agrees, as the lefty-batter is one of the talented prep shortstops heading into the draft this summer. In the newest rankings list from MLB Pipeline, McGonigle ranks at #26, the third-ranked prep shortstop on the rankings. As a senior with the Friars, McGonigle posted a .474 average with four home runs and 16 RBIs, walking 26 times while only striking out once through 57 at-bats.

The last time the Blue Jays drafted a prep shortstop with their first pick was Jordan Groshans back in 2018. McGonigle currently has a commitment to Auburn and is described as one of the best high school bats heading into the draft.

Blake Mitchell – C (Sinton High School)

Kiley McDaniel – ESPN

Similar to McGonigle, catcher Blake Mitchell out of Sinton High School (Texas) is one of the top prep bats heading into the summer, which is one of the reasons Kiley McDaniel over at ESPN thinks the Jays will use their top pick on Mitchell.

Mitchell currently ranks at #13 on the LB Pipeline rankings and owns a .471 average through 37 games with the Pirates, adding 14 doubles and six home runs on the year. Not only can Mitchell put the ball in play, but he also has a plus eye at the plate, amassing 54 walks his senior season. As a catcher, Mitchell possesses a plus arm that is accurate as well and is able to handle the workload that comes with such a demanding position. Batting from the left side, Mitchell can also pitch as well, hitting the mid-90s with his fastball and making four relief appearances as a senior, spending most of his time behind the plate.

Drafting a high school catcher does come with risk given the amount of wear and tear at the position but many believe Mitchell could stick at the position, with the profile to move to the outfield or potentially back to the mound should the Lousiana State commit struggles at the catching position (although the Jays have a strong track record of developing catching prospects).