Draft Dope: Blue Jays

June 6, 2007

Draft History (Click the year to view the picks)
Year	Top Pick
1992	Shannon Stewart
1993	Chris Carpenter
1994	Kevin Witt
1995	Roy Halladay
1996	Billy Koch
1997	Vernon Wells
1998	Felipe Lopez
1999	Alex Rios
2000	Miguel Negron
2001	Gabe Gross
2002	Russ Adams
2003	Aaron Hill
2004	David Purcey
2005	Ricky Romero
2006	Travis Snider

Scouting Director: Jon Lalonde (first year: 2004)
Order in 2007 Rotation: 21st
Extra Picks: First round (16th, for loss of Type A free agent Frank Catalanotto to Rangers), supplemental first round (38th, for loss of Type A free agent Justin Speier to Angels; 45th, for Catalanotto; 56th, for loss of Type B free agent Ted Lilly to Cubs), second round (88th, for Speier)
Lost Picks: None
Trend: Under general manager J.P. Ricciardi, the Jays have found big leaguers (14 since 2002) but little impact (best draft pick: Aaron Hill). Last year the Jays finally diversified and took a high schooler in the first round (Travis Snider), a first under Ricciardi. Toronto has favored lefthanders as much as any organization.
This Year's Outlook: The Jays are desperate for middle-infield help, and the high school ranks are much richer at that position this year. So they could go the high school route early again this year, though they figure to go for polished college pitchers and bats if they can thereafter, particularly because they have extra picks.