The Toronto Blue Jays selected left-hander Brandon Barriera with the 23rd pick in the 2022 MLB draft on Sunday.
The Blue Jays select lefty Brandon Barriera with the 23rd pick. Florida American Heritage High School lefty.
From Baseball America’s scouting report: “Fastball sits in the low 90s and regularly touches 96. This spring, Barriera has peaked at 98-99 mph.”
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 18, 2022
Barriera was drafted out of American Heritage School in Florida and was the 15th ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline heading into the draft. The 18-year-old has signed with Vanderbilt but has until Aug. 1 to decide if he will sign with the Blue Jays.
“It’s definitely something I’ll never feel again in my life,” Barriera told MLB Network after being called up. “Looking at these 22 teams before me, they’re going to regret it and I’m going to be the best pitcher in the MLB.”
Barriera has a four-pitch combination with a fastball that ranges from 90 to 95 mph to go with a changeup, curveball and slider.
“He’s the best pitcher we’ve ever had here,” American Heritage head coach Mike Macy said of Barriera before the draft. “I’m not even going to say it. I think that’s pretty obvious. He’s the only pitcher we’ve ever had that you would consider a first round guy. He has the greatest publicity around him.”
Barriera said he looks to former New York Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte as a role model for his game and the reason he decided to learn to throw left-handed.
Alec Manoa (#11 in 2019), Austin Martin (#5 in 2020) and Gunnar Hoagland (#19 in 2021) were Toronto’s final three first-round selections.
With the 60th pick overall, Toronto selected shortstop Josh Kasevich, who was ranked the 67th prospect by MLB Pipeline. In 61 games this season, Kasevich slashed .310/.383/.445 with seven home runs and 44 RBI for Oregon.
The Blue Jays also hold the 77th, 78th and 98th selections, giving the team five picks inside the top 100.
Add Comment