Depth Check: The Blue Jays' Outfielders for 2027

The 2026 Blue Jays had a mixed season from their outfielders, as two potential key contributors spent the majority of the season on the injured list, in Addison Barger and Anthony Santander. Daulton Varsho struggled and was shipped off at the deadline, and Jesús Sánchez was DFA’d before the end of the season. That doesn’t mean everything went bad, though, as the Jays ended up in the middle of the pack in outfielder fWAR. Brett Bateman was a revelation after coming over from the Cubs, Myles Straw was a capable fourth outfielder, and Nathan Lukes ended up with the fourth highest fWAR for Jays position players. 

The 2027 Jays will hopefully look for healthy seasons from their injured players and hope that the strong performances from Bateman and Lukes were not just simply flashes in the pan. Here’s how the depth chart will potentially look once everything is settled.

Check out prior entries in our Depth Check series here:

• Catcher

The Starters

The Jays started Sánchez the most out of any player in left field in 2026, and with him not in the organization anymore, there’s no standout candidate for the position. Most likely, the Jays will use a platoon in left field as they did in 2026, with Barger being the strong side of it, and a mix of Straw (if his option is picked up) or Davis Schneider (despite having reverse splits throughout his major league career). Lukes could also bear a heavy load in left as well, but with his Gold Glove nomination in right field, the Jays may want to optimize their defense with him in right more. Santander could also face lefties, but with his age and injury issues, he may DH more often than not. The Jays hope that they can get the 2026 Barger back, and if so, he’ll be a key part of the Jays’ position player core.

In center field, it is the Brett Bateman show, as the 2026 rookie took Toronto by storm, accruing nearly 2.0 fWAR in 181 plate appearances, buoyed by a .410 BABIP. The speedy outfielder is most likely not going to slash .329/.402/.424 with a 138 wRC+, but if he can have a .350 OBP while playing elite defence, he’d be a very valuable starting center fielder in 2027.

Right field will most likely be manned by Lukes again, who played 108 games in right and had 11 Defensive Runs Saved and a +7 Fielding Run Value, with his arm carrying his value, leading me to believe that he’ll be the starter again. Offensively, he was just slightly above league average for the second year in a row, but if he can continue to provide that offensive production along with great defense in right, there’s not much to complain about.

The Bench

Straw should split time at all three outfield positions if the Jays end up picking up his $8 million club option. There’s a buyout of $1.75 million if they do not, and the likelihood of finding a comparable replacement for just over $6 million on the open market doesn’t seem high. He’ll provide solid defense and baserunning, and if he can be just slightly below average as a hitter, he’ll be a useful bench piece again.

Jonatan Clase is out of options, and if Straw isn’t retained, he could be the next one up as a fourth outfielder despite a below-average season in Triple-A Buffalo and shaky defense. Other potential depth options come from infielders who can play outfield to spell the main outfielders, with Charles McAdoo, Davis Schneider, Sean Keys and Josh Smith all being able to play in the outfield, leading to greater roster flexibility. 

40-Man Depth

Yohendrick Piñango was close to a league-average hitter, but his poor defense made it hard for him to stay on the field. He’ll need to hit much better or become a much better defender if the Jays are to rely on him. 

Rudy Martin Jr. made his MLB debut with the Jays last season as a 30-year-old but quickly hit the injured list with a hamstring strain. The outfielder spent over a decade getting to the major leagues, but his best role is most likely a pinch runner or fifth outfielder in a playoff push, and he may not remain on the 40-man throughout the offseason.

Rule 5-Eligible Depth

RJ Schreck has been a productive hitter in the upper minors ever since he was traded to the Jays for Justin Turner, but injuries and a minor logjam in the outfield have prevented him from getting his shot in the major leagues. At 26 years old, he’s a bit old for a prospect, but with his plate discipline and knock for the barrel, he could be a solid hitter at the next level, although he’s most likely limited to a corner outfield spot.

Victor Arias came into 2026 as Jays Centre's No. 8 prospect after a solid 2025 season, but struggled to adjust after being promoted to Double-A New Hampshire, struggling with his production and health. He’ll need some seasoning to be a real major league option, but the 23-year-old still has a strong power-speed combo that still needs to be tapped.

Alexis Hernandez was a minor league Rule 5 pick from the Red Sox and was one of the most productive hitters for the Jays farm system in 2026, with a 132 wRC+ in 439 PAs, making it all the way to New Hampshire. He’s not at risk for getting picked in the major league portion, as he’s never been a ranked prospect, but is worth mentioning due to his production.

Jace Bohrofen was the Jays’ 2023 sixth-round pick and hit 13 homers in just under 200 plate appearances, but has massive swing-and-miss issues, with a 34% K rate. He’s been a top-20 Jays Centre prospect previously, but the hit tool is concerning enough to make him fall off. The power is nothing to sneeze at, but he was hurt halfway through the 2026 season and will also most likely not be picked. 

More Minor League Depth

Jake Casey, the son of former major leaguer Sean Casey, started off the season on the IL but mashed when he went to Vancouver after a rehab assignment. He was sent to the Arizona Fall League to make up for lost time and will probably start 2027 in Double A.

Aaron Parker received some left field reps at the end of the 2026 season, as the catcher still grades out pretty poorly defensively behind the dish. There might be a more direct line to the major leagues if Parker can play a decent left field.

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