Notebook: Trio of prospects make good first impressions
DUNEDIN, FLA.— It was less than a week ago that Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio reported to their first big-league spring training as non-roster invitees, but Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins is already impressed.
“They really do work and feed off one another,” Atkins said of the trio, adding that other players also benefit from their relationship.
“I think the work that has occurred in the minor leagues, the attention to detail on (being a good) teammate, that point of emphasis being constantly something they know we value and we reward … to me is just helping the environment improve.”
Guerrero, Bichette and Biggio — sons of former big-league stars Vlad Sr., Dante and Craig — all have an idea of what it’s like to be in a big-league clubhouse thanks to their lineage, and have benefitted from that head start.
Guerrero, baseball’s No. 1 prospect, has done nothing but impress with his “continued desire to be the best player he can possibly be,” Atkins said, though he still has to improve his agility and defensive play at third base.
Bichette, No. 2 in the system, sets an “incredible” tone for other players with his goal setting, having already learned how to overcome challenges and accomplished a lot in his young career at shortstop, according to the GM.
And Biggio, a utility player who is coming off a breakout season in 2018, is “one of the more impressive young men I’ve been around,” Atkins said. “He’s an exceptional leader, and it’s not something that is overt. It’s just how he goes about his business.”
Guerrero is expected to make his regular-season debut in mid- to late April, while Biggio, who is on track to start the season at Triple-A Buffalo with Bichette, could conceivably also see time in the majors this year given his versatility. The Jays, however, might opt to keep Bichette in the minors all season and avoid having him reach free agency at the same time as Guerrero down the road.
FIRST UP: Left-hander Ryan Borucki will start the Jays’ Grapefruit League opener against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, followed by righthander Sean Reid-Foley at the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.
INJURY UPDATES: Right-hander T.J. Zeuch won’t pitch this spring because of a lat strain in his back. One of the Jays’ top pitching prospects, Zeuch posted a 3.17 ERA over 1561⁄ 3 innings between Double A and Triple A in 2018 … Reliever David Phelps — who had Tommy John surgery in March 2017 and didn’t pitch in 2018 — could break camp with the Jays. “That is not our goal ... but it could be the outcome,” Atkins said of the righthander, who signed a one-year, $2.5-million (U.S.) deal with the Jays in January. CLIPPARD TO CLEVELAND: Atkins said the Jays continue to actively pursue pitching help on the free-agent market, starters and relievers. One relief pitcher no longer available is ex-Jay Tyler Clippard, who agreed to a minorleague deal with the Cleveland Indians on Thursday. The 34year-old Clippard would reportedly earn $2.5 million if he makes the roster. He went 4-3 with seven saves and a 3.67 ERA in 73 games for the Jays last year.