Blue Jays target teenage shortstop in MLB draft

TORONTO (CP) — The Toronto Blue Jays pegged Jordan Groshans as a player of interest long before this year’s MLB draft.

The team made their interest official Monday night, selecting the high school shortstop with the 12th overall pick.

Later Monday, Mississauga, Ont., native Noah Naylor became the first Canadian selected in the draft, going 29th overall to the Cleveland Indians.

And the Blue Jays selected Duke outfielder Griffin Conine — son of former major leaguer Jeff Conine — with their second-round pick, 52nd overall.

Naylor, an 18-year-old catcher/third baseman with Canada’s junior team and the Ontario Blue Jays, is the younger brother of San Diego Padres prospect Josh Naylor, a first baseman who was drafted 12th overall by Miami in 2015.

The 20-year-old Josh, who’s currently in double-A, was also the first Canadian to be chosen in his draft year.

Noah is committed to Texas A&M. The signing bonus slot value for the 29th overall pick is US$2.3 million.

Toronto chose a shortstop in the first round of the draft for a second straight year after picking Logan Warmoth 22nd overall out of the University of North Carolina in 2017.

The 18-year-old Groshans also played third base for Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Tex.