Toronto Blue Jays boast two power-hitting outfield prospects nearing MLB debuts in 2026
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The Toronto Blue Jays have a pair of hard-hitting outfield prospects who could realistically make their major league debuts during the 2026 season.
For much of the past decade, the Toronto Blue Jays farm system has ranked in the lower third of baseball.
A combination of aggressive trades, including the departure of Gabriel Moreno, and stalled development from once-promising names like Orelvis Martinez and Nate Pearson left the organization struggling to generate impact talent internally.
That narrative, however, is beginning to shift. A strong 2024 draft class delivered notable arms such as Trey Yesavage, Johnny King, and Khal Stephen.
The latter of whom was later moved at the 2025 trade deadline in the deal that brought Shane Bieber to Toronto.
At the same time, several young players took meaningful steps forward, including Gage Stanifer, Arjun Nimmala, Juan Sanchez, and RJ Schreck.
As a result, the Blue Jays' farm system has quietly climbed the league-wide rankings.
While the organization is unlikely to see an immediate Opening Day contributor from the minors in 2026, there are a few players knocking on the door who could force their way onto the roster by midseason.
Two of the most intriguing options reside in the outfield.
Yohendrick Pinango
Position: Outfielder
Bats: Left
Born: May 7, 2002
Acquired: Trade with Chicago Cubs
Pinango remains one of the more puzzling prospects in the system - a classic example of process versus results.
On the surface, his stat lines have rarely been eye-catching, even as the underlying data suggests far more upside.
It took three separate stints at High-A South Bend before Pinango finally found traction in the Cubs' system.
After being dealt to Toronto, he again needed to repeat a level, but the patience paid off. In his second run through Double-A, Pinango posted a dominant 161 wRC+, earning a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo.
The tools are undeniable. Pinango combines quick bat speed with elite batted-ball metrics, ranking in the 94th percentile in average exit velocity and the 88th percentile in hard-hit rate.
Yohendrick Pinango in the Venezuelan Winter League:
22 G | 101 PA | .353 AVG | .424 OBP | .694 SLG | 1.118 OPS | 7 HR | 29 RBI | 12/21 BB/K
Pinango was left unprotected in this year's Rule 5 Draft by Toronto but went unselected. 122 wRC+ between AA/AAA in 2025.
22 G | 101 PA | .353 AVG | .424 OBP | .694 SLG | 1.118 OPS | 7 HR | 29 RBI | 12/21 BB/K
Pinango was left unprotected in this year's Rule 5 Draft by Toronto but went unselected. 122 wRC+ between AA/AAA in 2025.
The concern lies in his swing path, which produces an excessive number of ground balls and limits his ability to consistently tap into that raw power.
Given those traits, it was surprising to see Pinango go unselected in the Rule 5 Draft.
A soon-to-be 24-year-old corner outfielder with his combination of contact quality and athleticism would seemingly be an ideal upside gamble for a club willing to offer everyday at-bats.
Unless the Blue Jays add another outfield bat before Opening Day, Pinango is expected to begin 2026 once again in Buffalo.
RJ Schreck
Position: Outfielder
Bats: Left
Born: July 12, 2000
Acquired: Trade with Seattle Mariners
Schreck has a legitimate chance to impact a major league roster in 2026, though whether that happens in Toronto remains an open question.
The issue isn't Schreck's bat. He's an advanced hitter with a refined offensive profile.
The complication is organizational depth. Like Pinango, Schreck is a left-handed, corner outfielder stationed at Triple-A, creating a logjam that may eventually force the Blue Jays to choose between the two, potentially making one a trade candidate.
Unlike Pinango, Schreck doesn't rely on elite bat speed or exit velocities. Instead, he thrives through exceptional plate discipline and pitch selection.
His profile is highlighted by a 94th percentile walk rate, a 95th percentile O-Zone swing rate, and a strong .361 expected wOBA.
Another advantage for Schreck is how seamlessly he handled the jump to Triple-A.
While Pinango posted a 96 wRC+ at the level, Schreck continued to produce, finishing with a 129 wRC+.
RJ SCHRECK THREE RUN HOME RUN
From a power perspective, Schreck set a new personal best max exit velocity in 2025 at 111.9 mph, a modest improvement over his previous high of 109.4.
While his raw power grades below average, he maximizes it by elevating the ball and pulling it with intent. His 37.7% sweet-spot rate and 20.1% pull-side air contact underscore how efficiently he leverages his skill set.
Like Pinango, Schreck is slated to open the 2026 season in Buffalo. From there, the two will effectively be in direct competition, positioning themselves as the first outfield options should an opportunity arise at the major league level.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 20|99 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays boast two power-hitting outfield prospects nearing MLB debuts in 2026 Which of these two Toronto Blue Jays prospects do you see making their MLB debuts in 2026? | ||
| Yohendrick Pinango | 11 | 11.1 % |
| RJ Schreck | 19 | 19.2 % |
| Both | 27 | 27.3 % |
| Neither | 42 | 42.4 % |
| List of polls | ||