Blue Jays well armed for shortened season
Pitching coach believes veteran rotation may benefit from reduced wear and tear
A year ago, Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker wasn’t far away from seeing his beleaguered rotation unravel before his eyes.
A mix of injuries, lack of depth, and some underachievement made getting 27 outs a challenge, even on some of the good days.
But if baseball returns for
2020, Walker feels his rebuilt staff — led by ace off-season acquisition Hyun-jin Ryu — can take advantage of a shortened, altered schedule.
“If it’s a shortened season, obviously veteran guys may benefit,” Walker said during a Friday conference call with Jays beat reporters. “Over the long haul, it’s a little bit of a grind for the guys who have been doing it for a long time.
“If it’s a shorter season, I think, in general, it would benefit us greatly.”
With Ryu fronting the group, suddenly the Jays have a veteran staff, including fellow off-season acquisitions Chase Anderson and Tanner Roark.
There’s also the fresh arm of Matt Shoemaker, who missed most of last season due to injury. All four of those hurlers are in their 30s, but as Walker noted — presumably touching wood, given what he’s seen the past couple seasons — a truncated season might reduce the chance for injury and play into the arms of such veterans.
The Jays coaching staff has been in steady touch with all of their pitchers, keeping most on a fairly aggressive throwing program. The idea is that if (when?) a green light is given by Major League Baseball, getting prepared for a season won’t be as onerous as it might be for other teams.
The idea, Walker says, is to keep his pitchers “within striking distance” of being ready given that a short “spring training” followed by a compressed schedule is most likely.
“We feel that if we’re prepared and staying on top of our throwing programs, that whatever time allotment Major League Baseball allows, that we can do it safely,” Walker said. “Everything within reason. Obviously, it wouldn’t be a one-week ramp-up and go.
“We’re constantly talking to our guys. They’re on throwing programs. We’ve kept them moving so that when there is a date to get back to work these guys are going to be prepared. When the time comes, we’ll have plenty of time to be ready for an opening day.”
As much as the COVID-19 pandemic has made for trying times, the Jays feel they have been proactive and progressive in working with their players. From a pitching standpoint, whether it’s Ryu in Dunedin, Shun Yamaguchi back in his native Japan or with any of the others scattered around North America, Walker and his staff believe they have a good handle on the conditioning and arm strength of each individual.
“We’ve probably gone above and beyond making sure we’re keeping these guys in the loop so when that day returns when we get to spring training, hopefully we’re more than ready,” Walker said. “I’d be shocked if there are other teams doing more. ”
The sense is that the Jays believe there will be a season in some form and are trying to stay on the cutting edge of readiness. Understandably, Walker was reluctant to comment on specifics — noting that speculated plans for return change almost daily — but there is a definite enthusiasm associated with a rebuilt pitching staff to complement the burgeoning star power of a youthful position player core.
High on Walker’s list, naturally, is the big South Korean lefty, Ryu. Signed for US$80 million in December, the former Los Angeles Dodger made a strong first impression on his new team.
“Obviously, this spring he looked great and he came in shape,” Walker said. “His work ethic is phenomenal. He has a plan and it rubs off on other guys which is great to see — a guy like that go about his daily routine. He is not only a pro and has tremendous work ethic but he is a leader by example, even if there is a language barrier.
“His progression has been great, even on the down time. Hopefully, we get started soon, but he’s been throwing and working out and he’s anxious to show Toronto what he can do.”
Over the long haul, it’s a little bit of a grind for the guys who have been doing it for a long time. If it’s a shorter season, I think, in general, it would benefit us greatly.
Whether it’s expanded rosters, a six-man rotation to deal with a doubleheader heavy schedule or whatever else might be tossed their way, Walker believes the Jays will be ready.
“Obviously, it’s uncharted territory, but we’ve done a great job connecting and communicating with your pitchers,” Walker said. “Honestly, it’s been a lot better than I anticipated. I thought when everybody left (Florida) it was going to be difficult to stay in touch.
“It has been a pretty incredible process under very uncertain times. Nobody has a crystal ball and is going to see how this plays out. But whether it’s a shortened season, a modified number of games, I think we’ll be in a position to be strong through that scenario.”