A fourth-round pick for the Jays in 2024, Keys began the 2026 campaign in Double-A New Hampshire and has advanced to Triple-A Buffalo in a short time. Across 49 games and 172 at-bats, Keys posted a .285/.411/.581 slash line with nine doubles, 14 home runs, and 34 RBIs while walking at a 13.4% clip.
The Jays liked what they saw and moved Keys to Buffalo on June 5th, and the third baseman has continued to shine at the next level.
Through 15 games and 50 at-bats, Keys owns a 1.050 OPS, going 14 for 50 (.280) with four doubles, one triple, and four home runs. He’s also walked 10 times compared to 14 strikeouts and owns a .640 SLG, thanks in large part to his nine extra-base hits to begin his Bisons career. He hit a walk-off home run to seal the win for Buffalo back on June 20th, and the ball sailed over the right field wall with ease.
His 18 home runs lead all Jays minor leaguers and rank tied for 11th across all minor league players. Keys also ranks first in the Jays’ farm system in terms of runs (50), SLG (.595), OPS (1.006), and wRC+ (160). His power and ability to hit for extra bases are hard to ignore, and the 23-year-old hasn’t been fazed by this promotion to the next level.
SEAN KEYS FOR THE WIN ‼️
The one hiccup in his game has been his fielding, as he owns a collective .904 fielding percentage at the hot corner, and the Bisons have used him more at first base since the promotion, which has seen improved results. The difficulty with playing first base is that Keys is blocked by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who isn’t going anywhere anytime soon with his mega deal kicking in.
Despite the potential turmoil with where he plays on the field, if Keys continues to put the ball in play at a high rate, he’s going to be tough to ignore in the minor leagues when the Jays need every ounce of offensive output they can get at the big league level. The DH spot is also occupied by George Springer, who likely stays in his spot for the rest of the season despite mixed results at the plate and his upcoming contract expiring by season’s end.
Ranking at #14 on the Jays’ top prospect list, Sean Keys is doing all the right things in the farm system to get noticed. He’s banging on the big league door with some serious might, and sooner or later, the Blue Jays are going to have to answer it.