Depth Check: The Blue Jays' Middle Infielders for 2027

[Jesse Burrill]

Every successful Blue Jays playoff team has featured a strong double-play combination. Bo Bichette, Andrés Giménez, and Ernie Clement were key contributors to the 2025 World Series run, and Troy Tulowitzki and the Ryan Goins-Devon Travis tandem helped the Blue Jays in their mid-2010s playoff push, providing a strong mix in the field and at the plate.

Over the past five seasons, the Jays have accumulated 30.8 fWAR from their middle infielders, good for 12th in baseball; last season, it was 4.7, right in the middle at 15th in the league, a fine spot to be in, but one where the Blue Jays could improve.

It seems like that’s a route the Blue Jays may already be exploring. According to Mitch Bannon, the Blue Jays discussed a move for a middle infielder at this past trade deadline; combined with Ross Atkins' post-season comments about Clement having to “earn" an everyday role in 2027, the possibility remains high that the Blue Jays look to add to their middle infield group going into next season.

For now, let's look at the players who could fill out the infield and assess where the team stands heading into the offseason.

 

Check out prior entries in our Depth Check series here:

• Catcher
• Infielders
• Outfield

The Starters

Ernie Clement
2026 Stats: .259/.285/.364, 9 HR, 80 wRC+, 0.6 fWAR

Ernie Clement’s 2026 season was a tale of two halves. In the first half, it looked like he was riding off the momentum from an exceptional postseason. He hit .296, hit eight of his nine home runs, and tied for the AL lead in doubles, earning him the starting second baseman spot at the All-Star Game.

Whether it was injuries, fatigue, or overexposure, Ernie struggled in the second half. Pitchers threw him a career-low 46.9% of pitches in the zone, and he kept swinging, resulting in a .203 average and a dreadful 36 wRC+ during that stretch. The defense also took a noticeable step back, dropping from +10 in Baseball Savant's defensive run value in 2025 to -3 last season.

As things stand, he’s currently the favorite to be out there as the starting second baseman when camp begins, but with Atkins’ comments about Clement having to earn his role, and the possibility that the Jays use the second base position to upgrade their roster, there is a chance Ernie slides back to a utility infield role, where he’s had success in the past.

Andrés Giménez
2026 Stats: .244/.291/.350, 9 HR, 81 wRC+, 2.8 fWAR

Giménez took over as the everyday shortstop at the start of 2026, and he was as good as ever defensively. He led the team in fielding run value and trailed only Masyn Winn and Bobby Witt Jr. among major league shortstops. On top of that, he led the Jays with 20 stolen bases, ranked second in RBIs, and had a knack for coming up in the clutch.

Offensively, there is plenty of room for improvement. His MVP-caliber 2022 season in Cleveland is in the rearview mirror now, and down the stretch, when the team struggled offensively, John Schneider started platooning Giménez to add thump to the lineup. As the team looks to add more offense, one option is another shortstop who can take at-bats against righties. With elite defense and the ability to run the bases, Andrés Giménez can help the team win from the bottom of the order, whether he’s hitting well or not.

Major League Options

Josh Smith
2026 Stats (with TOR & TEX): .203/.290/.321, 6 HR, 75 wRC+, 0.1 fWAR

Smith provided the Blue Jays with a much-needed offensive boost after arriving at the trade deadline, hitting five home runs and posting 0.4 fWAR in just 35 games. Smith has mostly been used as a super utility player, particularly against righties, and he’ll likely do the same in 2027 unless the team makes a major move. The Blue Jays have an arbitration decision to make on Smith, with MLB Trade Rumors projecting a $3.7 million salary. The Blue Jays will either have to settle on a contract or non-tender Smith and look elsewhere for middle-infield options.

As things stand now, he’s still in the picture for the middle infield, and while he didn’t see any time at shortstop with the Jays in 2026, he did log over 400 innings at that position with the Rangers the year prior. Despite his defense not being a standout tool at short, he could stand in there in a pinch if needed.  

Davis Schneider
2026 Stats: .145/.310/.315, 5 HR, 84 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR

Schneider's 2026 season was quite a disappointment. He was set to platoon against left-handed pitching, and it was a struggle. He spent the year up and down between the Blue Jays and Buffalo. While his big league time was a struggle, he hit well in the minors (.910 OPS and a .450 OBP), suggesting he still has the tools to be productive.

Like Smith, Schneider is set to hit arbitration and is projected to earn around $1.3 million. The Blue Jays need to decide whether that price is worth the roster spot. Schneider still has a minor league option available, which will factor into that decision as well, but unlike Smith, Schneider will only see time at second base or in the outfield. That means his bat needs to improve significantly for him to remain a useful contributor going forward.

Charles McAdoo
2026 Stats: .258/.302/.392, 3 HR, 93 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR

McAdoo went from a prospect who spent time back in the development complex in 2025 to one who took a massive step forward in 2026, making his way to the big league roster. McAdoo held his own, playing first, second, and third, and spending some time in left field as well.

While Davis Schneider struggled to hit, McAdoo had his moments and has made a strong case for inclusion in the Blue Jays' middle-infield/super utility group. Like the two before him, he’s unlikely to see any time at shortstop, but he adds speed that Smith and Schneider don’t.

Pair that with the fact that he's still in his pre-arbitration years, and he offers the Blue Jays a more cost-effective option if they go that route. With another strong season, McAdoo could quickly pass the other two on the depth chart and become a key part of the Blue Jays bench as soon as this upcoming season.

On the Farm

Adrian Pinto
2026 Stats (A, AA): .240/.359/.388, 3 HR, 104 wRC+

Down on the farm, the Blue Jays have some intriguing infield options. First on the list is Adrian Pinto. The Blue Jays acquired Pinto, along with Raimel Tapia, for Randal Grichuk before the 2022 season. Originally touted as a speed-first prospect, the stolen-base total has fallen off from 41 in the DSL with the Rockies to just six total in the past three seasons in the Blue Jays minor league system.

Injuries have likely played a part, but the bat has still played at every stop. The 5-foot-6 infielder has good contact skills and still has the chance to develop some power down the line. 2027 will be a big year for Pinto, who needs to stay healthy to get as many reps as possible, but if all goes well, he can raise his prospect standing and put himself in the mix for big league time.

Josh Kasevich
2026 Stats (AAA): .282/.364/.363, 4 HR, 101 wRC+

Kasevich was the talk of Blue Jays spring training, where he looked like the next prospect to contribute to the big league roster, but the 2026 season didn't go that way. The 25-year-old stayed healthy this season, appearing in 130 games for the Bisons, but the power numbers weren't there. He hit just four home runs and posted a 0.9% barrel rate. His hit tool carries him, and he can get the bat on anything (88.9% contact rate), which the Blue Jays love, and his primary shortstop role gives him a leg up on some of the other options on this list. But the numbers have dipped, and his prospect shine has dipped with them. 2027 will be a big year for him; if his contact skill stays strong and his power picks up, he could get time on the big league roster this upcoming season.

Josh Rivera
2026 Stats (A, AA, AAA): .215/.282/.376, 12 HR, 73 wRC+

If the Blue Jays want the best defensive option up the middle, Rivera is an intriguing candidate among those close to the big leagues who fit that mould. Playing primarily at shortstop, the 26-year-old reached Triple-A Buffalo by season's end and is one step away from the big leagues.

The hit tool may not be a strength – a sub-.300 OBP and a batting average in the low .200s aren't ideal – so he likely won’t be a major league regular until that improves. Still, he has enough power to hit a home run now and again. He did take former Blue Jay Tim Mayza deep in spring training, and every big league bench can find room for a player who plays good defense and can hit a home run. Several names are ahead of him on the depth chart, but Rivera shouldn’t be forgotten.

JoJo Parker
2026 Stats (A, A+): .270/.399/.460, 13 HR, 128 wRC+

The Blue Jays' first-round pick in 2025 hit the ground running in his first professional season: 13 home runs, 28 stolen bases, and an OBP just shy of .400. In fact, Parker's performance may have helped sway the Blue Jays to move on from top shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala at the past trade deadline.

The 20-year-old infielder will have a lot of eyes on him come spring training, and he has the highest ceiling of any middle-infield prospect discussed here. Still, even if he has a monster spring training, it seems unlikely that he’ll make the team out of camp and is likely more of a 2028 option. However, players with his unique mix of power, speed, defense, and hit tool don’t come around often. If the Blue Jays are in contention and struggling at middle infield, Parker gets a non-zero chance at a look, and while he’s furthest from the big leagues right now, the upside is certainly worth watching.

Overall, the Blue Jays have plenty of options at middle infield, but there are more question marks than clear answers. Clement needs to show he can rebound from a dreadful second half; Pinto, Rivera, and Kasevich all have talent but are far from perfect; and even Parker isn't guaranteed to be an impact player right away. The group is solid, and the team can succeed without offseason acquisitions, but adding another piece or two would help, and it's something the team should consider this winter.

More Rule 5-Eligible Middle Infielders

Pinto, Kasevich, and Rivera will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this offseason. More Rule 5-eligible middle infielders in the Blue Jays organization include:

• Jay Harry
• Cutter Coffey
• Tucker Toman
• Nick Goodwin

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