The Toronto Blue Jays used their third round draft pick on a college pitcher with the potential to reach the big leagues before most 2016 draftees. The Blue Jays selected Zach Jackson, a right-hander out of Arkansas, with the 102nd overall pick Friday.
Jackson pitched in relief in 2014, and closed in 2015 before starting and relieving in 2016. The 21-year-old has a fastball that sits in the 93-95 mph range and a hard breaking ball, according to MLB.com. He made the 2015 All-SEC First Team after collecting nine saves in 27 appearances.
On Day 1 of the draft the Blue Jays selected college right-hander T.J. Zeuch with the 21st overall pick before choosing college outfielder J.B. Woodman and high school shortstop Bo Bichette.
Zeuch, a 6-foot-7 20-year-old, impressed at Pittsburgh, where Toronto scouted nearly all of his 2016 starts and came away impressed with a four-pitch mix including a sinking fastball in the 93-95 mph range.
“A good fastball. That’s probably his best trait right now,” Blue Jays amateur scouting director Brian Parker said after selecting Zeuch Thursday. “There’s still upside with this guy.”
Woodman, the Blue Jays’ 57th overall pick, is a Mississippi standout with solid tools across the board who has a chance to remain in centre field once he begins his professional career. At 66th overall, the Blue Jays took Bichette, the son of former MLB all-star Dante Bichette. The 18-year-old Tierra Verde, Fla., native has committed to Arizona State University.
The Philadelphia Phillies picked high school outfielder Mickey Moniak first overall, while the San Diego Padres made Cal Quantrill the top-drafted Canadian, selecting the Stanford right-hander eighth overall.
Teams have until July 15 to sign their 2016 draft picks.
