2026 Bluebird Banter Top 40 Prospects: Just Missed
We wrapped up our 2026 top 40 last week, but before we go we wanted to briefly note a few more guys who we find to be of some interest. Today, it’s the last cuts from the main list, and later Matt and I will each list a few guys we personally find interesting as sleepers. Jared Spencer was the team’s 11th round pick in the most recent draft.
The lefty was a stud reliever for three years at Indiana State before transferring to Texas and posting a 3. 27 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 10 starts and 52. 1 innings.
That level of performance, while stepping way up in competition and moving into the rotation, jumped him into top three round consideration. Then he blew out his shoulder. If he comes back healthy, it’s a plus fastball that touches 98 paired with a nasty slider and a promising but still developing change-up paired with fringy command that might force him back to the bullpen as a pro.
It was a high risk, high reward profile even before he suffered one of the scariest pitcher injuries, and we’ll be in wait and see mode this year. Hayden Juenger was a sixth round pick back in ‘21. He popped onto lists by jumping all the way to AAA in his first full pro season, working as a multi-inning reliever.
Things have stalled there, though. He gets some strikeouts, but walks too many and generally hasn’t found the consistency he needs to join the major league staff. He deserves a nod here because, with a nice rising fastball that sits 94, a promising cutter and a good change-up he has the repertoire to work as an MLB long reliever.