Toronto Blue Jays Breakout MLB Prospects Entering 2024

Breakout Prospects

Enmanuel Bonilla, OF

Preseason rank: 11
BA Grade: 50. Risk: Extreme.

TRACK RECORD: Bonilla garnered the largest bonus in franchise history for an international amateur when he signed for $4.1 million. His was the fourth-highest bonus for any international signee in 2023. Highly regarded for his combination of hitting ability and present power, Bonilla debuted in the Dominican Summer League and hit .307/.407/.429 in 50 games. Bonilla is likely to make his U.S. debut in 2024 in the Florida Complex League. 

SCOUTING REPORT: Bonilla was touted as one of the most advanced hitters in the 2023 international class. He shows present strength and feel to hit with a good balance of aggression and patience. Bonilla is still learning to hit spin and can be beaten by good breaking balls in the zone. He shows good adjustability in his hands, but his lower half and upper halves can often get out of sync, leading to some inconsistent swings. Bonilla has above-average raw power, and showed it in games with a max exit velocity of 108 mph. His ability to hit the ball at good angles and elevate to his pull side portends well for future power gains. Bonilla is an average runner, likely to slow down as he grows into his body. With potential for diminishing speed, he is likely to move off center field to a corner, where he could grow into an average fielder. Bonilla’s arm is above-average and will play in all three outfield spots.

THE FUTURE: Bonilla is an exciting young outfielder with potential for an above-average hit and power combination.

Scouting Grades
Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Run: 45. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.

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Landen Maroudis, RHP

Preseason rank: 17
BA Grade: 45. Risk: High.

Track Record: Maroudis was a two-way standout for Florida high school powerhouse Cavalry Christian who started at shortstop on days he didn’t pitch. He ranked as the 82nd overall prospect for the the 2023 draft and was viewed as one of the top high school talents in the state of Florida. The Blue Jays selected Maroudis in the fourth round and signed him for $1.5 million, their second-highest bonus in the draft class. He did not pitch following the draft. 

Scouting Report: Maroudis is an athletic righthander with a tall, projectable build. He delivers the ball from a low three-quarters arm slot with some violence in his delivery at release, including a head whack and wicked recoil. Maroudis’ stuff steadily grew over his time in high school. He mixes four pitches: a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. His fastball sits 90-93 mph and touches 96 at peak with above-average ride and good plane. Maroudis’ primary secondary is a low-80s changeup with good velocity and vertical separation off his fastball. Maroudis mixes two breaking balls in a low-80s slider and a curveball in the mid 70s. The slider is a newer addition to his repertoire but has overtaken the curveball in effectiveness. Maroudis shows average command of his secondaries.

The Future: Maroudis is an exciting high school righthander with starter traits and the makings of an average or better three-pitch mix.

Scouting Grades
Fastball: 55. Curveball: 45. Slider: 50. Changeup: 60. Control: 50.

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Sam Shaw, 2B

Preseason rank: 28
BA Grade: 45. Risk: Extreme.

TRACK RECORD: Shaw was a draft find for the Blue Jays in their own backyard. He was a well-known Canadian amateur who attended high school in the United States before moving back to Canada. The Blue Jays drafted Shaw in the 12th round in 2023, signing him for an above-slot bonus of $282,500. He debuted in the Florida Complex League playing in nine games.

SCOUTING REPORT: Shaw is a hit-over-everything second baseman with an advanced knowledge of the strike zone and excellent barrel control. His carrying tool is hitting, with a swing designed for a high rate of line drives and balls to the gaps. He is rarely fooled and shows the ability to spit on breaking stuff on the black. Shaw should hit for high averages while running near equal strikeout and walk totals. His power is below-average and his best-struck balls come in the form of line drives. Due to his build, he’s unlikely to push below-average power totals. He’s an average runner whose stride is limited by his diminutive frame. He shows average fielding skills at second base and a fringe-average arm.

THE FUTURE: Shaw is a young, bat-first second baseman with outlier contact and approach for his age and experience.

Scouting Grades
Hitting: 55. Power: 30. Run: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 45.