Shushkewich: What Toronto Blue Jays prospects are off to hot starts?
Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Nolan Perry was named Florida State League Pitcher of the Week last week. Photo: Dunedin Blue Jays
April 21, 2026
By Tyson Shushkewich
Canadian Baseball Network
The Toronto Blue Jays' farm system made a huge jump after a successful 2025 season.
MLB Pipeline ranked the organization’s minor league system at No. 27 heading into the 2025 campaign and they entered the 2026 season up 12 spots to No. 15.
This jump also includes losing multiple prospects via the trade deadline last summer, such as Alan Roden, Kendry Rojas, Khal Stephen and Juaron Watts-Brown.
Trey Yesavage was the main prospect of interest, as the right-hander went from Single-A all the way to making a start in the World Series. Other standouts include Gage Stanifer, Arjun Nimmala, Johnny King and Juan Sanchez, who helped the Jays take a massive step forward on the prospect side.
Entering 2026, the club got a boost with the addition of JoJo Parker, their first-round selection in 2025, while the likes of Ricky Tiedemann and Jake Bloss will return to the fold this year after spending most of last season on the IL.
While the Jays don’t hold a first-round pick this summer because of their World Series run and subsequent 10-spot drop for exceeding the CBA, the Jays have a chance to continue padding their farm system through development, and a few players are standing out right from the get-go.
JoJo Parker – SS
Dunedin Blue Jays
The Jays' top position player prospect is off to a roaring start in Dunedin. Through 13 games, he owns a .298/.459/.553 slash line with six doubles, two home runs, and 11 RBIs. He also has 12 walks compared to 13 strikeouts while ranking seventh in the organization in OPS (1.012) and fifth in wRC+ (186). On top of his impressive play at the plate, he has yet to make an error on the field at the shortstop position.
Nolan Perry – RHP
Dunedin Blue Jays
After missing all of 2025, right-hander Nolan Perry is back and pitching with a vengeance. Across three outings (two starts), Perry has allowed just four hits and two earned runs through 13 innings.
His most recent outing against Clearwater was outstanding, with the righty hurling five innings of relief and surrendering just one hit while striking out 12. For his efforts, he earned Florida State League Pitcher of the Week honours for last week. Perry ranks second in the Jays' farm system in strikeouts (22).
Tucker Toman – 3B
Vancouver Canadians
This is Tucker Toman’s fifth season in the pro ranks since being drafted in the summer of 2022, and the infielder is finding a groove at the plate this season in Vancouver.
Toman has been solely swinging from the left side and is finding better results, posting a .368/.500/.579 slash line through 11 games and 38 at-bats. He has two doubles, two home runs and a 1.079 OPS, which ranks fourth in the farm system.
Carter Cunningham – OF
Vancouver Canadians
Carter Cunningham can’t stop swinging the power bat. The 25-year-old left-handed hitting slugger is on a tear in Vancouver, collecting three doubles, one triple, and six home runs through 58 at-bats. He’s also hitting for positive contact, amassing a .310/.438/.707 slash line with a 1.145 OPS, which ranks second in the organization.
A trip across the coast is likely if he keeps up the power. He currently leads the Blue Jays' farm system with his six round-trippers and 21 RBIs.
Johnny King – LHP
Vancouver Canadians
The Jays needed a southpaw to emerge from the depths of the farm system, and Johnny King seems to be the guy in line to own the title.
Through three starts this season, King has permitted just one earned run through 7 1/3 innings, with the club keeping his starts in check with a pitch count that is gradually building up. He has 15 Ks to his credit and has allowed just four hits to begin the campaign. Walks are a bit of a problem (five free passes), but King will continue to develop in a hitter-friendly league while facing competition almost four years older than him.
Danny Thompson Jr. – RHP
Vancouver Canadians
Of all the Jays' minor league pitchers with 10+ innings, right-hander Danny Thompson Jr. is the lone standing arm that hasn’t allowed a run in 2026.
Across 11 1/3 innings, Thompson has surrenderd just four hits and three walks while striking out 19 and holding opponents to a .103 average. His 0.62 WHIP is tied with Perry for the best in the farm system, and Thompson sits second in K/BB (6.33).
Daniel Guerra – RHP
Vancouver Canadians
The Vancouver Canadians continue to boast a strong pitching staff, and right-hander Daniel Guerra ranks well among the group.
In his fifth pro season, the 22-year-old Venezuelan has made three starts and allowed five earned runs through 14 1/3 innings. Guerra leads Blue Jays minor league pitchers in strikeouts (23). He fanned 11 against Spokane last week in five innings, earning Pitcher of the Week honours for the NWL.
Sean Keys – INF
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Another left-handed bat in the Jays system is finding a power stroke right out of the gate.
Sean Keys is smacking the ball around in the Eastern League with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, amassing three doubles and five home runs. He also has 15 RBIs and a .356/.482/.756 slash line with a 1.238 OPS. He leads the Jays' farm system in numerous offensive categories, including OPS, wRC+ (206), and ISO (.400).
Jackson Hornung – 1B/OF
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
Across 12 games, outfielder Jackson Hornung is off to a strong start in the 2026 season.
Through 58 at-bats, the right-handed hitter is bordering on a .400 average and is tied with Keys for second in the system in RBIs (15). Hornung also has six doubles, one triple, and one home run with a .586 SLG and a 1.012 OPS. He has been seeing more time at first base this season.
Chad Dallas – RHP
Buffalo Bisons
Welcome back, Chad Dallas.
The right-handed starter missed all of the 2025 season due to Tommy John, and the Buffalo Bisons starter is off to a roaring start in Triple-A.
The buildup has been slow (four starts, 13 1/3 IP), but he’s been efficient on the mound, allowing 10 hits and two earned runs compared to 15 strikeouts. Dallas has also kept the walks in check (four) and has held opponents to a .224 SLG and a .488 OPS. While he still needs to get built up, if Dallas keeps impressing in the minors with his 1.35 ERA and 2.03 FIP, he’ll likely earn a big league call-up.
Charles McAdoo – 3B/1B
Buffalo Bisons
It’s easy to see why Pittsburgh Pirates fans were upset that the club traded Charles McAdoo two summers ago: this guy can hit.
After registering a .731 OPS and belting 16 home runs last season in Double-A, McAdoo has made the jump to Buffalo and is swinging a hot bat at the top level. Across 18 games and 63 at-bats, McAdoo has four doubles and three home runs with 11 RBIs and eight walks. The strikeout numbers are a bit high (15) but he’s consistently putting the ball in play, evidenced by his .333/.408/.571 slash line and a.979 OPS.
Josh Kasevich might have stole the show in Spring Training, but McAdoo is putting up the numbers to begin the 2026 season. He is splitting time between first base and third base.