MLB Underrated Prospect: Blaze Jordan

Going into the 2020 MLB Draft, many projections had corner infielder Blaze Jordan going much earlier than he ultimately did. When the Boston Red Sox selected him in the third round, the pick was widely considered a steal. Jordan has carried hype since he was 13, when he went viral for launching 500-foot home runs. In 2019, he won the High School Home Run Derby at Progressive Field, putting himself firmly on the national radar, thanks to his jaw-dropping raw power.

As the draft approached, nobody questioned his ability to drive the baseball. The concern was whether he would make enough consistent contact against advanced pitching. So far in his professional career, he has answered those questions with an emphatic yes.

In 2021, Jordan made his professional debut across the Florida Complex League and High-A. In 28 combined games, he hit over .320 with a .959 OPS. Perhaps most encouraging was the fact that he struck out just 21 times in those 28 games, immediately pushing back against the narrative that swing-and-miss would define his profile.

In 2022, he continued to quiet doubters, striking out just 94 times in 120 games. While the power output didn’t fully match the pre-draft expectations, he still posted an OPS north of .800 with 45 extra-base hits. He entered the year ranked as the Red Sox’s No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline and finished the season at No. 11 heading into 2023, despite another productive campaign.

The 2023 season followed a similar script, but with a noticeable bump in over-the-fence production. His home run total jumped from 12 to 18, and his OPS climbed roughly 25 points. He continued to show advanced bat-to-ball skills and improved swing decisions, yet he still couldn’t crack any Top 100 prospect lists. Even more puzzling, he dropped to No. 21 in the Red Sox system entering 2024 despite improving his overall numbers.

Then came 2024, which was easily the most difficult season of his professional career. His OPS dipped to .700, a disappointing mark for someone with his raw power. Injuries played a significant role. He fractured his left ring finger in May, costing him a month, and later suffered a concussion in August after being hit in the face. The lost development time clearly impacted his rhythm and production. Prospect rankings showed little patience, and he fell outside the Red Sox’ top 30 on most platforms, despite his strong track record in prior seasons.

By the time 2025 rolled around, Jordan had become something of an afterthought. Even so, he was hitting over .300 across Double-A and Triple-A at the trade deadline when the Red Sox dealt him to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for left-hander Steven Matz. Although he cooled off after the trade, 2025 was a meaningful bounce-back season overall. He hit a career-high 19 home runs, posted an OPS above .780, and once again demonstrated that consistent contact is a real strength of his game.

Eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this offseason, Jordan went unselected, keeping him in the Cardinals organization heading into 2026. On a rebuilding roster, there should be opportunities available once he’s added to the 40-man roster and earns a call-up. With positional needs limiting his chances at third base, first base and designated hitter appear to be the most realistic paths to playing time.

While Jordan hasn’t yet tapped fully into the 70-grade raw power that once defined his scouting report, he has far exceeded expectations. His flatter bat path has led to more ground balls than ideal, limiting his game power despite elite strength. That’s an adjustment he’s reportedly worked on heading into 2026, finding a way to lift the ball more consistently without sacrificing too much contact.

For Jordan, the next step isn’t about proving he can hit. He’s already done that. It’s about allowing the power to show up in games more frequently. If unlocking that power means trading a small amount of contact for more damage, it’s a worthwhile exchange for a player with his natural strength.

From a 13-year-old launching 500-foot home runs, to a 16-year-old winning the High School Home Run Derby, to a minor leaguer who reshaped his offensive profile into a high-contact bat, the foundation is still there for Blaze Jordan to carve out a successful MLB career. He may no longer carry the national hype he once did, but the tools, adjustments, and potential opportunity suggest there’s still untapped upside.

For a Cardinals team in transition, 2026 feels like the right time to find out exactly what Blaze Jordan can become.