On Wednesday, the final day of the 2019 MLB Draft, the Blue Jays selected Braden Halladay, the son of late Hall of Famer Roy Halladay, in the 32nd round (957th overall). Halladay famously wore the number 32 during his tenure with the Blue Jays.
Halladay, 19, attended Calvary Christian High School in Florida. He has committed to Penn State University, so he will not actually join the Blue Jays organization, Hazel Mae reports. GM Ross Atkins said, “He’s headed to Penn State, but we’re glad to have drafted him.”
Many teams use some of their selections in the late rounds of the draft for tokens of appreciation like this, so it is an expected and kind gesture by the Jays.
Halladay logged 31 innings for Calvary Christian, going 3-1 with a 4.06 ERA and 37 strikeouts.