TORONTO — The low-A Dunedin Blue Jays are, in the words of farm director Joe Sclafani, “running like crazy” this season, part of an organizational emphasis on swiping more bags and improving on the bases.

Through 52 games, they are third in the Florida State League with 97 steals in 120 attempts, an 80 per cent success rate, and leading the charge are a pair of speedy centre-fielders in Blaine Bullard and Jake Cook.

Both possess, give or take, the type of havoc-creating speed that makes Chandler Simpson such a dynamic presence atop the Tampa Bay Rays lineup. But the two 2025 draft picks can drive the ball and have a chance to hit for some power, too, if they manage the difficult task of developing at the plate while also maintaining the running game. 

“We love when we get athletes because there's more you can do with them. Obviously, they do certain things particularly well, so really want to lean into that,” said Sclafani. “(Speed) is such a unique skill set and it's why Simpson's so effective. The things people typically look at, like exit velocity, batted-ball data, their ability to impact the baseball, is front and centre. But there's more of a magnifying glass on, OK, how's the plate discipline? Barrel accuracy is going to be massively important. It's a different lens to see them through.”

To that end, their raw speed — Cook grades out as an 80, Bullard as a 70 on the 20-80 scouting scale — means both players have dual developmental priorities, where “base-stealing becomes paramount with the hitting.” Because the duo are already strong defenders, with Sclafani describing Cook’s starting point as “plus-plus,” the Blue Jays need more to “accentuate” those skills as much as refine them.

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