The Toronto Blue Jays may have lost Bo Bichette, but at least they have Juan Sanchez.
Bichette departed the organization in free agency to sign with the New York Mets. However, Sanchez is a hidden gem of a prospect who just got a favorable ranking on a recent top prospect list.
Prospect pundits are praising the organization over the likes of RJ Schreck, Jojo Parker, and Arjun Nimmala. However, Sanchez could have a greater impact than all three of them combined. Primarily, as a potential Bichette replacement.
Juan Sanchez is the Blue Jays Best 3B Prospect
According to MLB Pipeline, Sanchez is the Blue Jays’ best third baseman prospect. He ranks seventh among all MLB 3B prospects.
Jonathan Mayo believes that he is one of the best power hitters of this group of prospects.
“Sanchez hasn’t played stateside yet, but it’s hard not to be excited after his Dominican Summer League debut,” Mayo wrote on January 20th, 2026. “When he was one of a handful of qualifying players with an ISO over .220 and a strikeout rate below 18 percent. The guy who set an ACC record with 71 career homers at Wake Forest, Wilken got back to his power in 2025, slugging .550 over 65 games through June 18 before a knee injury sidelined him until late August.”
Mayo goes on to say that Sanchez potentially has the highest ceiling out of all 10 of these 3B prospects.
“Signed for just under $1 million when the 2025 international signing period opened,” Mayo wrote. “Sanchez raised the excitement level for his United States debut when he finished in the top 10 among all DSL hitters in average (.341), slugging (.565), and OPS (1.004) with more than enough feel for hitting to keep getting to his power.”
In 2025, Sanchez recorded eight home runs, 40 RBIs, four triples, 16 doubles, and 73 hits in 56 games.
Juan Sanchez Has ’25-30 Home Run Potential’
There are several scouting reports on Sanchez. They all highlight his exciting power potential and offer a projection for the young slugger.
According to a FanGraphs report, Sanchez has “25-homer upside.”
“Sanchez received the second-biggest bonus in Toronto’s 2025 international class and is by far the best prospect to emerge from it so far,” Brendan Gawlowski wrote on January 20, 2026. “Even though he’s probably not long for short, he’s a projectable athlete with a mix of enticing present strength and a lot more room to grow. Like just about every teenager with power, he’s vulnerable to spin. We’ll see how that shakes out against better competition. For now, Sanchez has passed the DSL test with flying colors.”
“You can dream on an everyday regular with 25-homer upside.”
Baseball America has tabbed Sanchez as the seventh-best prospect in Toronto’s system. Listed as a shortstop, this report speaks very highly of Sanchez.
“A large, physical slugger standing 6-foot-3 with plenty of space to add muscle and strength to his frame, Sanchez already shows in-game power with plus bat-to-ball skills,” the report states. “Sanchez shows plus raw power, having hit a ball 115.8 mph in 2025. Sanchez already shows the ability to pull the ball hard and in the air and produces a high rate of barrel contact. He projects to grow into a plus power hitter at peak with elite high-end exit velocities and the ability to get to them in games. He’s a natural fit for third base with an above-average arm capable of making all the necessary throws.”
“Sanchez has the tools and requisite bat-to-ball ability and power to grow into an above-average third baseman with peak seasons featuring 30 home runs.”
Juan Sanchez, a Bo Bichette Replacement?
The 18-year-old infielder holds a lot of promise. In fact, he could probably replace Bichette’s bat once he hits the big leagues.
In 2016, the year Bichette was drafted by the Blue Jays, he had great production. Over 22 games, he recorded four home runs, 36 RBIs, and 35 hits, while slashing .427/.451/.732.
To truly tab Sanchez as Bichette’s successor, he would need to match his production in the first year after Bichette’s draft year. In 2017, he played 110 games, recording 14 home runs, 74 RBIs, 162 hits, and 22 stolen bases.
If Sanchez gets close to any of those markers in his first season in North America, that should be considered a success. Even if he ends up being a third baseman in the MLB instead of a shortstop, that kind of production would be more than promising.
While the loss of Bichette stings, Sanchez’s (eventual) arrival in the MLB will give Toronto more than enough power to fill Bichette’s shoes.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Blue Jays ’30-HR Potential’ Bat Tabbed as Surprising Bo Bichette Successor appeared first on Heavy Sports.