Blue Jays MLB Draft - Day 1

Monday, June 08 2015 @ 09:57 PM EDT

The Toronto Blue Jays used the 29th pick of the 2015 MLB draft to select someone they already picked three years ago. The 56th pick was another right-handed pitcher but from the high school ranks.

Round 1 - 29th overall: RHP Jon Harris, Missouri State, 6-4, 190. Born October 16, 1993 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Scouting Report from MLB.com.

In a spring in which many of the top pitching prospects have either gotten hurt or regressed, Harris has been a pleasant surprise. He has boosted his stock as much as any pitcher with the exception of UC Santa Barbara's Dillon Tate and looks poised to become the second-highest selection ever out of Missouri State, trailing only Ross Detwiler (No. 6 overall in 2007). A 33rd-round choice by the Blue Jays out of a Missouri high school three years ago, Harris took a step forward in the Cape Cod League last summer and has continued to improve as a junior. He works comfortably at 92-94 mph with his fastball, and it plays up because it has run and sink and he uses his height to deliver it on a nice downhill plane. He has added some strength and his 6-foot-4, 190-pound frame still has room for more, so he could pick up more velocity. His curveball, slider and changeup are all plus pitches at times. Harris has power and depth on his breaking balls, and he has made huge strides with his changeup and trusts it more than before. He also has improved his command and is doing a better job of pitching inside with his fastball.

Harris turned down the Blue Jays’ offer as a 33rd-round pick out of high school. It was a wise choice, as Harris was physically immature and unable to maintain his velocity. He stepped into the Bears’ weekend rotation as a freshman and had immediate success. He’s now a significantly more physical pitcher, and the fastball that quickly dipped to the mid-80s when he was in high school now sits at 91-93 mph touches 95. Harris mixes in a pair of breaking balls, a 12-to-6 curveball that flashes plus and a solid-average slider that he is able to throw for strikes. His changeup is a potentially average pitch as well, and some scouts have seen each secondary pitch flash plus. Harris missed two starts with an ankle injury but pitched a complete-game shutout in his return from injury, answering any questions about his health. Harris has pitched deep into games consistently this year. He’s worked into the eighth inning of eight of his last nine starts and was averaging 110 pitches an outing this year. Harris’ control is still shaky at times—he’s walked 3.2 batters per nine innings but he also generates lots of swings and misses (10.8 strikeouts per nine innings).

Harris, on hearing name called in draft: "I broke down into tears because it’s one of those childhood dreams that every kid has.” #BlueJays

#BlueJays' 1st round draft pick Jon Harris says he doesn't know a lot about Toronto, aside from Drake and "a good hockey team."

Blue Jays take RHP Jon Harris at 29. 'One of the steals of the draft' says @jimcallisMLB

Blue Jays will take Missouri State RHP Jon Harris, who some thought might be a top 10 pick. Very good value for a polished fast mover.

Ryan Fagan ‏@ryanfagan 1h1 hour ago

Missouri State's Jon Harris was a potential top-five pick, but gave up 8 ER in 5 2/3 vs. Arkansas in Super Regional.

Bucs Dugout ‏@BucsDugout 2h2 hours ago

Jon Harris has said that the Pirates have been in frequent contact with him, by the way.

Would be interesting if Jon Harris is still available at No. 23 when Cardinals draft. Loves his hometown team. Would be something.

Whenever a projectable high school pitcher shows a jump in stuff, he's bound to move up Draft boards. That's exactly what was happening with Singer in Florida, though some concern about mechanics was giving some scouts pause. Singer, a 6-foot-5 right-hander committed to the University of Florida, had always intrigued because of his frame and fairly solid idea of how to pitch. When he went from throwing his fastball in the 88-92 range to sitting closer to 92-94 mph and touching 96, his stock definitely jumped. He'll complement the fastball with a slider that flashes average and he shows some feel for a changeup. Singer uses a three-quarter arm slot with a high elbow, a kind of unorthodox delivery that will make some scouts pause. Given the leap he's made stuff-wise, a team is bound to look past that and nab him in the first few rounds of the Draft. Click here for video. You can also see him right here and also here. Twitter handle is @Bsinger51.

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