It’s that time again. The major league teams restock their organizations with hope and their new draft selections. Upwards of 40 players are selected by each team and we’ll add to that the many minor league free agents who sign with their respective teams after their initial disappointment of not being drafted. Of course, not every player will sign. The Blue Jays have two second round picks this year because they couldn’t sign their second round pick last year, Brady Singer.

 

This year, the Blue Jays select at #21, #57 and #66 on the first day of the draft and last year the Blue Jays selected Jon Harris at #29 (after losing their top pick because they signed free agent Russell Martin).

 

As the first pick for the Blue Jays in the 2016 draft, the Blue Jays selected big right-hander T.J. Zeuch out of the University of Pittsburgh. Shi Davidi noted that Zeuch missed part of the season with a groin injury but had a 6-1 record with a 3.10 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 70 innings. With a major-league average fastball, the 6-foot-7 hurler has gotten great reviews for his ability to create a downward plane and get a lot of ground balls. Brian Parker, the Blue Jays’ scouting director, is also quoted as saying that “With his projection, with his age, there’s some upside with this guy.” He’s got a full complement of offspeed pitches and Baseball America believes that it’s how those pitches develop that will determine his upside.

 

 

The Jays’ second round pick (#57 overall), J.B. Woodman (the Jays seem to be big on guys who use their initials for their first name this year), is a slugging outfielder from Ole Miss who led the SEC in home runs as a junior, hitting .323/.412/.578. He didn’t have a great year in the Cape Cod League with wooden bats, however, hitting just one home run in 128 at bats, and striking out 51 times.

 

With the 66th overall pick, the Jays went to high school to get infielder Bo Bichette, the son of former major leaguer Dante. Selected about 15 picks after his brother, Dante, Jr., was in 2011. He’s got some power but Baseball America praises his quick bat, showing a “mature approach at the plate and plus power.” He is also praised for his glovework although some think that he’s going to eventually move off of shortstop.

 

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