Toronto Blue Jays Aim to Restock Farm System with 2024 MLB Draft

The Toronto Blue Jays are gearing up to refresh their minor league system as the Major League Baseball draft approaches.

Shane Farrell, the team's amateur scouting director, highlighted the need to bolster the Blue Jays' double and triple-A levels, citing recent trades and player promotions as reasons for the current gaps.

Farrell referenced the trade that sent pitching prospects Adam Kloffenstein and Sem Robberse to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Major League reliever Jordan Hicks.

"There's obviously a need and a desire to keep backfilling with internal prospects. I think this draft allows us to do so, and we're looking forward to that opportunity," he said.

Injuries and the decision to designate veterans for assignment have resulted in several triple-A prospects being called up to the major league roster, including infielders Ernie Clement, Spencer Horwitz, and Leo Jimenez.

Outfielder Steward Berroa and second baseman/left-fielder Davis Schneider also started the year in the minors but have since made appearances in the big leagues.

Farrell emphasized the importance of ensuring that players are prepared to stay once they reach the majors.

"It's the organization's responsibility to make sure that those players are both ready physically, fundamentally, and mentally to not only appear in the major leagues but to stick and have a long career," he said.

Left-handed pitcher Ricky Tiedemann, the top player on Toronto's depth chart, started for the Bisons against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old has been recovering from ulnar nerve inflammation that forced him onto the injured list in mid-April.

Although Tiedemann is No. 1 in the Blue Jays' system, he's ranked No. 45 overall according to MLB's prospect rankings.

Second baseman Orelvis Martinez, No. 2 on the Blue Jays' prospect depth chart, was suspended by MLB for 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

Shortstop Arjun Nimmala and left-handed pitcher Brandon Barriera, Nos. 3 and 4 in the minors, are both at the single-A level.

Jimenez and Barger are the fifth and sixth highest-ranked prospects in the Blue Jays' system.

Toronto holds the 20th overall pick in this year's draft, set to begin Sunday in Fort Worth, Texas.

Prospects in their range include Oklahoma State outfielder Carson Benge, high school right-handed pitcher Ryan Sloan, Louisiana State third baseman Tommy White, and Iowa right-handed pitcher Brody Brecht.

"I think we're seeing a lot of strength at the top of the draft, specifically with the college position players," said Farrell. "All in all, another strong class, and I think we're excited about our potential options at pick 20."