In the 16th-round, the Blue Jays selected Puerto Rican high school pitcher Jackxarel Lebron. Also known as Jackxarel Lebron Figueroa, this young man comes from Maunabo, Puerto Rico and has a commitment to San Jacinto Community College. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 170 pounds, Lebron has touched 92 mph with his fastball, sitting 90-92 mph with a 77 mph curveball. Lebron was named a Perfect Game Pre-Season All-High School Senior First Team pitcher in the Canada/Puerto Rico region.

 

 

In round 17, the Blue Jays tapped pitcher Jared DiCesare, a junior from George Mason University. The 6-foot, 185-pound righty comes from Chantilly, Virginia and has a record as both a solid athlete and for his academic record. In 2018, he was a two-time Atlantic 10 Conference Pitcher of the Week with a 3.33 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, splitting time between starting and relieving. In 2019, he was a starter almost exclusively (coming into one game in relief) and logging 80 innings with a 5.40 ERA, striking out 59 and walking 17. He did pitch in the Cape Cod League last summer, posting a 2.95 ERA and 0.99 WHIP, striking out 28 and walking only two in 36 2/3 innings.

It would seem DiCesare is a strike-thrower who has had trouble striking batters out this season and so we’ll have to see what he is able to do as a professional.

 

 

In round 18, the Blue Jays selected lefthanded pitcher Brandon Eisert out of Oregon State University. The junior moved into the starting rotation for OSU because of an injury and went on to have a stellar season finishing with a 2.03 ERA in 62 innings, striking out 74 and walking only 13.

Eisert was ranked #348 in the draft by Baseball America and they noted that he “has a solid four-pitch mix, enough that he could get a chance to start at the next level.” His fastball touches 93 mph but BA notes that it could play up in the bullpen. They like his “solid slider and changeup” and he also has a curveball but, while the stuff is good, he “does more with control and command than by overwhelming.” BA also notes that he has a “crossfire landing” and “hides the ball well which also allows his stuff to play up.”

 

The Blue Jays took Gustavo Sosa out of Tottenville High School in Staten Island, New York, a catcher who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 180 pounds. He has a commitment to Rutgers and showed some impressive pop times (1.85 seconds was his best) while throwing the ball fairly hard from behind the plate. He also had a 93 mph exit velocity from a Perfect Game event. He was scouted with quickness and athleticism both in the infield and behind the plate and has a “loose fluid extended swing” from the right side. He “has some lift in his swing and is consistent in his timing.” He could be an interesting sign for the Jays and, could be someone to watch.

 

The Blue Jays selected another lefthanded pitcher in the 20th round, taking Jimmy Robbins of NCAA DII Rollins College in Florida. Robbins is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound junior from Orlando who pitched for Troy University in Alabama in 2017, redshirting in 2018 due to injury and then transferring to Rollins for 2019. In 76 2/3 innings, he had a 3.40 ERA with 105 strikeouts and 35 walks.

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