Today’s prospect likely won’t be on this list come the mid-season update.
This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual Pre-Season Prospect Countdown, this time looking at the top 40 prospects in the organization. We’ll look at the player’s stats, my observations, and other publications’ scouting reports if available.
Let’s take a look at our seventh-best Toronto Blue Jays prospect, Will Wagner!
Getting to know Will Wagner…
Position: Second base/Third base
Bats: Left
Born: July 29, 1998
Acquired: Trade with Astros
Previous ranking: 18
Son of one of the newest Hall of Famers, Billy Wagner, Will Wagner was selected in the 18th round of the 2021 draft by the Houston Astros. Following the draft, Wagner slashed .299/.388/.436 with two home runs in 134 plate appearances for a 128 wRC+ with an 11.9 BB% and a 24.6 K%.
His first full professional season was in 2022, split between High-A and Double-A. That year, he slashed .261/.374/.394 with 10 home runs in 497 plate appearances for a 108 wRC+. The 2023 season was mainly spent on the Injured List and in Double-A with a brief stop in Triple-A, as Wagner slashed .337/.420/.518 with seven home runs in 287 plate appearances. In Triple-A, he had a .577 batting average in 28 plate appearances.
Wagner started the 2024 season with the Astros’ Triple-A team, slashing .307/.424/.429 with five home runs in 324 plate appearances with a higher BB% (16.7%) than K% (10.2%) for a 123 wRC+. Before the trade deadline, Wagner was traded alongside Jake Bloss and Joey Loperfido to the Blue Jays for Yusei Kikuchi.
The infielder was sent to the Buffalo Bisons, where he had a .400 batting average with a home run in 31 plate appearances. Wagner was called up to Toronto in August and slashed .305/.337/.451 with two home runs in 86 plate appearances with a 125 wRC+ and a 0.6 fWAR.
In MLB Pipeline’s 2024 mid-season update, Wagner ranked as their 18th-best Blue Jays prospect. The 26-year-old’s best tool is his hit tool thanks to a strong approach, being able to draw walks, and being able to hit the ball into all fields. He’s not a power hitter by any means, but there’s a bit of pop. Defensively, he may end up playing third base for the Blue Jays in 2025, but his scouting report notes he doesn’t have the arm for that spot.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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