LOS ANGELES — The Toronto Blue Jays selected 18-year-old Brandon Barriera of Hollywood, Fla., on Sunday with their first pick, and 23rd overall, in Major League Baseball's first-year player draft.

The six-foot-two, 180-pound Barriera is a left-handed pitcher who plays varsity ball at American Heritage School in Plantation, Fla. Barriera regularly touches 96 miles per hour on the radar gun and has been up to 98-99. He features an electric four-pitch mix -- fastball, changeup, curveball and slider. He is committed to attending Vanderbilt.

"He's the best pitcher we've ever had come through here," American Heritage head coach Mike Macey said of Barriera. "I'm not even going out on a limb to say that. I think that's pretty obvious.

"He's the only pitcher that we've ever had you'd consider to be a first-round guy. He's got the most hype around him."

With their second pick, and 60th overall, the Blue Jays took 21-year-old Josh Kasevich of Palo Alto, Calif, a six-foot-two shortstop with the University of Oregon Ducks who is also one of the best hitters and defenders with the Waterloo Bucks in the Northwoods League.

Scouts say Kasevich's arm is above-average and accurate but that he needs to work on his speed as a runner.

Jackson Holliday and Druw Jones, sons of MLB All-Stars Matt and Andruw, were taken by Baltimore and Arizona with the first two picks in the amateur draft.

Holliday, whose father is a former batting champion, was chosen by Baltimore over Jones in somewhat of a surprise.

“A tough decision,” Orioles general manager Mike Elias said. “I would liken it to deciding what to order at a five-star restaurant.”

The draft continues tonight with the completion of Round 1, two first-round compensation picks, competitive balance Round A, Round 2, competitive balance Round B, and six second-round compensation picks.

The Blue Jays will make two additional selections tonight, with the No. 77 and No. 78 picks. The draft will continue Monday with Rounds 3-10 and conclude Tuesday with Rounds 11-20.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2022.

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