6 Pitchers the Blue Jays Could Take in the 2023 MLB Draft

LHP Thomas White, Phillips Academy High School

Most high school lefties are projects, but White's already got the makings of a future big-league hurler. The 18-year-old is 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, reaches 97 with his fastball, and has a plus changeup. Any one of those traits would draw a crowd of scouts, but the Vanderbilt commit has 'em all.

The southpaw has a curveball as his third pitch and many scouts think he'll break a slider into his mix in the minors, per Baseball America. If there's one area for growth, it's fastball command. But the same could be said with Toronto's first-round pick from last year (and a fellow prep lefty), Barriera.

LHP Joe Whitman, Kent State

A stable left-hander who bounced back from horrendous issues during his early college years, Whitman projects as a late first-round pick in the '23 Draft. He's not a filth machine the way other top pitching prospects are, but the 21-year-old features a mid-90s heater and an above-average slider.

Like Ricky Tiedemann, Whitman is tall and lean, but a new weight regimen could help add some muscle. From there, a few more ticks on the heater could boost his stock to a future No. 2 or No. 3 starter.

RHP Charlee Soto, Reborn Christian Academy (HS)

Soto is your man if projectability is what you're after. The 17-year-old high schooler is already a hulking 6-foot-5, 230 pounds, and capable of blasting his fastball into triple digits.

Like Nate Pearson, whom the Jays selected out of high school in 2017, Soto possesses the frame to be a long-term top-of-the-rotation starter. Although his breaking ball comes in a little harder than Pearson's, Soto is tough enough to endure the workload, and his velocity potential alone qualifies him for first-round consideration.

RHP Chase Dollander, Tennessee

After a pristine 2022 college season, Dollander took a step back this year with the Vols, as his hits, walks, and homer numbers ballooned. However, his rocky season might drop him right into the Blue Jays' lap at No. 20.

The right-hander's stuff is electric. He's got great rhythm in his delivery, which propels his fastball as high as 98 mph. Dollander also throws an excellent slider, a changeup, and a slow curveball. 

As far as upside picks go, Dollander might be the best on the board. He's a power pitcher with enough potential to develop into a future ace.

RHP/1B Bryce Eldridge, James Madison High School

Could the Jays take a chance on a prep two-way star?

The 6-foot-7 slugger bats left and throws right, reaching the high 90s with his fastball. In his final prep season, the Virginia high school baseball equivalent of Shohei Ohtani posted a 1.06 ERA on the mound while hitting .422 with a 1.716 OPS at the plate. 

Given the two-way talent and high school variance, pre-draft rankings are a bit scattered for Eldrige, but most places have him lasting into the early 20s. Many high school two-way players immediately commit to one position after the draft, but most reports and scouts agree Eldridge has a legitimate shot to stick with both the bat and mound, at least into the minors.