Toronto Blue Jays: 4 targets for fifth overall pick in MLB Draft

Toronto Blue Jays infield target –Nick Gonzales

The Blue Jays don’t have a pressing need at second base but Gonzales’ potential at the plate might be too tough to pass up if he is available for Toronto.

Gonzales currently plays shortstop but many expect him to transition to second base but even then, he isn’t expected to be a top-end defensive player. Any team looking to draft the 21-year-old is doing it for his bat which is one of the best in this draft class.

Here is the scouting report from MLB.com on what Gonzales brings to the table.

"“The 5-foot-10 middle infielder has as much pure hitting ability as just about any bat in the 2020 class. He does it with a short and compact swing and a ton of bat speed, controlling the bat head extremely well through the strike zone. There’s strength in his compact frame, but he might be more of a doubles hitter even though he did homer seven times on the Cape in 154 at-bats with wood. Gonzales has decent speed and is a solid baserunner, and while he played shortstop this spring, evaluators don’t think he has the arm or range to play shortstop. That does limit him to second base, but he’s at least average there defensively.”"

Whether or not the Blue Jays want another offensive-minded bat in the infield remains to be seen. Gonzales certainly has the athleticism to improve defensively and his rise up the organizational depth chart might come sooner because of his offensive potential.

There is a strong chance Gonzales is taken by the Kansas City Royals who have the fourth overall pick and the Blue Jays could choose to prioritize another position altogether.