The Toronto Blue Jays are making things happen. They pushed the Los Angeles Dodgers to Game 7 in the World Series, and they haven’t stopped since then. While their efforts have focused on pitching, they started 2026 with a bang by signing NPB star Kazuma Okamoto. This also meant that they needed to DFA a pitcher to make room for the slugger. However, Blue Jays fans can get excited about a host of prospects this coming season. Celwin Hurkmans, Jorge Burgos, Elian Guzman, and Jojo Parker are all players that fans should keep their eyes on.
Amid this huge move for Toronto, there is ongoing speculation surrounding Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker. While one insider has linked Bichette to the Philadelphia Phillies, a new report is dousing that with a bucket of cold water.
However, some MLB experts are saying that Parker is the Blue Jays prospect to watch out for. In fact, he shares a few similarities with Bichette and could be his replacement in a few years if Bichette moves on to a new club.
Toronto Blue Jays’ Jojo Parker is an Exciting Prospect to Watch This Year
Recently, MLB Pipeline released its list of “20 Exciting Prospects Set for Professional Debuts in 2026.” This list is notable for a few reasons.
The first reason is that Parker is on the list. Secondly, he is featured highly on the list.
Here is what Ben Weinrib wrote about Parker, number four on his list of players with exciting tools who have yet to taste professional baseball. Weinrib highlights Parker’s hitting as his best attribute.
“A left-handed-swinging infielder, Parker was one of the best hitters in the 2025 Draft and may grow into plus power with time,” Weinrib wrote on December 29th, 2025. “While scouts are sold on his bat, there is some question as to whether he’ll need to move off shortstop to second or third base (or even the outfield), so it will be key to see how his defense develops in the lower Minors.”
A shortstop with “plus power” whose defensive game isn’t his strong suit, I feel like I’ve heard that somewhere.
Jojo Parker & Bo Bichette, Cut From the Same Cloth?
Even in 2018, two years after he was drafted, some scouts believed Bichette would make a better second baseman than a shortstop — purely for defensive reasons. That year, he was the Blue Jays’ second-best prospect, behind first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
At that time, scouts had given him a 70 hit grade, 55 in power, 50 in run, 55 in arm, and 45 in field. Overall, he was given a 60 grade.
Fast forward to today with Parker. According to the 2025 prospect list, Parker was given a 60 hit grade, 55 in power, 50 in run, 55 in arm, and 50 in field. Overall, he received a grade of 55. Parker is also the second-ranked prospect, behind Trey Yesavage.
Jojo Parker’s Scouting Report
The scouting report from 2025 dives into more detail about what makes Parker such an effective offensive player.
“Parker has a chance to be a plus hitter with 20-25 homers per season,” the report states. “He has a sound left-handed swing, manages the strike zone well, and employs a gap-to-gap approach. He shows some feel for driving balls in the air and is posting more impressive exit velocities as he continues to gain muscle.”
If the Blue Jays have to think about a potential future without Bichette, Parker seems like a great player to slot into that role in a few years. Parker will play for the FCL Blue Jays for the 2026 season.
Are the Philadelphia Phillies really in on Bo Bichette?
There are conflicting reports about the Phillies’ interest in Bichette.
For starters, MLB insider Jon Heyman recently reported that Bichette was on the Phillies’ radar.
“The Phillies are among a number of big-market teams to have interest in Bo Bichette, an ultra young (27) free agent,” Heyman wrote on social media on January 3rd, 2026. “Yanks, Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox, and incumbent Jays, too. Bichette is the only player to hit .300 vs. fastballs, breaking balls, and also changeups/splits.”
Now, having an interest in a player and making an offer for that player are two different things. In this case, it’s probably just interest, especially considering a new report from The Athletic.
Phillies’ “Doubtful” Chances at Landing Bichette
Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon’s new report adds some perspective on the Phillies’ interest in Bichette.
“The Phillies could use a right-handed bat to platoon in left field with Brandon Marsh, and Randal Grichuk is among those in whom they are showing interest,” Rosenthal and Sammon wrote on January 5, 2026. “Signing Bregman, Bichette, or Tucker likely will be possible only if the market for one of those players collapses, which seems doubtful.”
While this report doesn’t necessarily count the Phillies out, it makes their chances of adding Bichette much less likely.
Other Rumblings From Around the MLB
In the same report from The Athletic, they give an update on other free agents and trade rumblings.
One update was regarding the New York Yankees’ interest in Bichette. It includes what they would need to do to accommodate Bichette.
“The Yankees have checked in on Bichette,” the report states. “But, likely would need to trade second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. or third baseman Ryan McMahon to accommodate him. They do not envision Bichette at shortstop.”
Of course, reports indicate that the Yankees could be close to a trade to acquire one of Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers or Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins.
As far as the Blue Jays are concerned, Sammon and Rosenthal said the following about their next pursuit.
“With outfielders George Springer and Daulton Varsho both entering their free-agent years, Tucker still makes sense for the Jays as well,” they reveal. “If there’s one thing Toronto’s lineup still requires, it’s a left-handed slugger.”
With Spring Training not that far away, there’s a good chance that things will pick up in the MLB. Teams and/or agents may become impatient with where negotiations stand and take decisive action.
However, if the worst happens and Bichette moves on to a new club, the Blue Jays will find a way to make up for the loss of his bat. And Parker just might be that option in a few seasons.
Blue Jays Exciting ‘Plus-Power’ Bat Debuts as Bo Bichette Hope Fades