The Toronto Blue Jays used their first selection in the 2026 Major League Baseball draft, picking at No. 39 overall, to select left-handed pitcher Cole Carlon from Arizona State University. The announcement was made Saturday, July 11, 2026, by the team.
Pitcher Profile and College Career
Carlon, a 21-year-old left-hander, spent three seasons with the Arizona State Sun Devils. In his junior year, he posted a 4.12 earned run average (ERA) with 98 strikeouts over 87.1 innings pitched. According to MLB scouting reports, Carlon features a fastball that sits in the low 90s, complemented by a sharp curveball and a developing changeup. He was ranked as the 45th-best prospect in the draft class by Baseball America.
Blue Jays Draft Strategy
The Blue Jays entered the draft with a focus on pitching depth, and Carlon fits that need as a potential mid-rotation starter. Toronto's scouting director, Mike Murov, said in a statement, "Cole is a polished lefty with a strong feel for pitching. We believe he has the tools to develop into a reliable major league arm." The team did not have a first-round pick this year, as their original selection was forfeited due to signing free agent pitcher Kevin Gausman to a qualifying offer.
Impact on the Organization
Carlon is expected to begin his professional career with the Blue Jays' minor league affiliate, likely the Dunedin Blue Jays in the Florida Complex League. The addition bolsters a farm system that already includes top pitching prospects Ricky Tiedemann and Brandon Barriera. Analysts note that Carlon's command and pitchability give him a higher floor than many high school arms taken earlier in the draft.
The Blue Jays have selected 10 pitchers in the first five rounds of the 2026 draft, signaling a clear organizational priority to develop homegrown arms. Carlon's selection at No. 39 represents the team's highest pick since they took Brandon Barriera at No. 23 overall in 2022.
