Every year, a handful of players ranked outside the top 10 in their respective farm systems take meaningful steps forward to improve their stock and vault up prospect rankings. Part of the fun is trying to identify those breakouts before it happens. So today, we’re identifying Blue Jays prospects who have the potential to make a jump in 2026.
To qualify, a player must rank outside the organization’s preseason Top 10 prospects. All scouting reports are from Baseball America’s 2026 Prospect handbook, which you can purchase here.
You can find Top 30 prospect rankings for all teams here and all breakout candidates here.
Breakout Prospects
Silvano Hechavarria, RHP
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: Hechavarria signed out of Cuba in 2024 for $240,000. Just four days after signing his contract, he pitched in his first affiliated game in the Dominican Summer League. He moved stateside to begin 2025 and made four appearances in the Florida Complex League before he was promoted to Low-A Dunedin. Hechavarria pitched in 11 games for Dunedin and posted a 1.90 ERA over 47.1 innings with 53 strikeouts to 11 walks.
Scouting Report: Hechavarria is a tall righthander with a strong lower half and an easy and free moving operation on the mound with a three-quarters slot. His pedestrian three-pitch mix plays up because of his strike-throwing. Hechavarria throws a four-seam fastball, slider and changeup. His fastball sits 93-95 mph and touches 98 with average ride and late, heavy armside run. It’s not a huge bat-missing pitch but Hechavarria does a good job getting chases when he elevates it above the zone.He throws an upper-80s cut-slider with ride and heavy cut. His ability to tunnel it off of his four-seam fastball made it a highly successful whiff inducing pitch in 2025. His changeup is a mid-80s splitter-like offering with average vertical separation off the fastball. Hechavarria throws all his pitches for strikes at a well above-average rate and shows plus control.
The Future: Hechavarria looks like a potential No. 5 starter but will need to prove his average stuff will play at the upper levels.
Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 60
Tim Piasentin, 3B
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: Piasentin was the top Canadian prospect in the 2025 class, and the Blue Jays dialed up some home cooking when they selected him in the fifth round. He signed for $747,500, enough to buy him out of a Miami commitment. Piasentin is one of the more notable prep sluggers from the western provinces, joining Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill and Rays catcher Nathan Flewelling.
Scouting Report: While Piasentin is no standout athlete, he does have a strong and projectable build with fluid movements throughout his game. Piasentin is already physically mature but looks like he could add 10-15 pounds of good weight. Piasentin sets up slightly open at the plate, utilizing a toe-tap mechanism. When he gets into two-strike counts, he shortens up his swing, ditches the toe tap and his stride for a wider base and a quick pivot. Due to the strength of his hands he’s still able to drive the ball from his two-strike approach. Piasentin pairs fringy bat-to-ball skills with a fairly passive approach. The power in Piasentin’s game is not up for debate. He naturally generates plus-plus bat speed and power, posting impressive exit velocities and hitting majestic fly balls on his best struck drives. Piasentin is a below-average runner who’s likely to have little impact in the running game. He’s a corner infield profile and there’s some question about his ability to stick at third base. Corner outfield could be an alternative where his plus arm strength would play.
The Future: Piasentin is a high-upside corner infielder who could develop into an everyday regular with above-average power.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60
Jake Casey, OF
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 35
Track Record: The son of former three-time all-star Sean Casey, Jake underperformed over his first three seasons at Kent State, and had Tommy John surgery in 2024. He broke out in 2025, hitting .356/.500/.736 with 17 home runs and 20 stolen bases. The Blue Jays selected Casey in the 15th round and signed him for $150,000. He debuted following the draft with Low-A Dunedin and impressed, hitting .281/.439/.531 over 23 games.
Scouting Report: After three underwhelming seasons with Kent State, Casey broke out in 2025 finding a level of power he had not previously shown. Casey shows average bat-to-ball skills with somewhat passive swing decisions. He is a great fastball hitter but does show some struggles against spin. Casey shows fringe-average power but good launch angles on contact. His ability to hit the ball in the air consistently allows his power to play up to average. Casey is an above-average runner, capable of running plus run times on jailbreaks to first. Casey can play all three outfield positions. He’s average in center field but is above-average in a corner. He shows good hands, routes and reactions in the outfield and his plus arm will allow him to make any needed throws while keeping baserunners honest.
The Future: An underrated senior sign, Casey looks like he could develop into a second-division regular if his hit tool translates.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Field: 55 | Arm: 60