So far, Bautista’s a big hit
It’s a rite of the preseason that often holds true, but is Jose Bautista an exception to the don’t-believe-too-much-of-what-you-see-early-in-spring-training rule?
After another powerful and efficient effort from the man they call Joey Bats on Sunday at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki thinks Bautista is set for the regular season and manager John Gibbons says the outfielder is locked in and playing with “that attitude and edge (that) makes him so good.”
Bautista had a double and a single in three at-bats in the Jays’ 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays to boost his batting average to .563. Yes, it’s early with 16 ABs, but his nine hits — including two home runs — make a statement.
Bautista is driving the ball with power and authority.
“I’m feeling good,” Bautista said in his usual matter-of-fact way post-game. “My body feels good. I’m seeing the ball well. I base the way I feel because of how I feel, not because of a number in the batting column.”
Tulowitzki, who made his first game appearance on Sunday, couldn’t wipe the smile off his face when asked about Bautista’s form. The shortstop says his teammate may have an extra dose of motivation heading into this season.
“With how things played out, I think he’s really happy right now to be back (with the Jays),” Tulowitzki said. “He always plays with a chip on his shoulder, but maybe a little extra chip to prove to some teams out there that maybe he’s worth a little bit more than what he got.”
The off-season was a tumultuous one for Bautista, who rejected the Jays’ one-year US$17.2-million qualifying offer. At that point, it appeared his days in Toronto were over.
But there wasn’t exactly a lineup of bidders and in January he returned to the Jays, signing a oneyear US$18-million deal with options.
If the 36-year-old, who is entering his ninth full season with Toronto, wants to show baseball’s other 29 general managers they made a mistake, he isn’t about to reveal it.
“No, I’m a baseball player,” Bautista said after his last day in Jays camp before joining the Dominican Republic team for the World Baseball Classic.
“I try to come out here to play the game that I love and contribute to my team. I do take it serious. I do play hard and with passion … I always play that way regardless of whatever people say, or other people think or if I need to prove other people wrong. It doesn’t really become an active part of my motivation.”
What has impressed Gibbons is the contact he’s making with the baseball and where he’s hitting it. The manager called Sunday’s batting practice session the best he’s seen from Bautista.
In the second inning, he blasted a ball down the left field line for an easy leadoff double. On Friday, his second home run in as many days was an opposite field shot that looked too easy.
“It’s baseball,” Bautista said. “Sometimes it happens. There are a lot of (pitchers) early in camp that aren’t (throwing) fastballs in the zone and falling behind counts. I’m not going to get too excited about it.”