PENCILLING IN BLUE JAYS’ OPENING DAY ROSTER
Wasn’t it just yesterday that Blue Jays pitchers and catchers reported to TD Ballpark? (Actually, it was three weeks ago.)
Isn’t opening day just around the corner? (Actually, it’s still three weeks out.)
The long road that is baseball spring training has essentially reached the grind phase with some 65 players still in camp. First cuts are expected soon.
The seemingly endless parade of exhibition games still has 20 contests on the docket.
We’re all for looking ahead, however, and given that it’s been a largely uneventful camp, we’re reasonably confident at taking a stab at pencilling in the opening day roster.
The asterisk with this exercise is that much could change over the next three weeks.
For the most part, however, here’s the lineup projected to face the Boston Red Sox on March 26.
STARTING ROTATION
■ Hyun-jin Ryu — The undisputed ace of a rebuilt rotation will get the ball when the Jays open the 2020 campaign. Ryu has been a workhorse and a consummate pro at his first American League training camp.
■ Tanner Roark — A nasty flu bug delayed his work at camp, but Roark eased into action Thursday in Clearwater, pitching a decent two innings, striking out a pair while walking two and allowing a home run. The Jays signed the veteran to a two-year, Us$24-million deal, and they expect him to be a big innings eater.
■ Matt Shoemaker — Back and feeling strong following his season-ending knee surgery, if Shoemaker returns to the form he flashed in his five starts before getting hurt, he could become a huge factor in a potential turnaround for the team.
■ Chase Anderson — The first off-season addition to the rotation has had two starts thus far: one that went well, one not so much. It’s early, though, and as Anderson himself said, don’t judge the results until he gets deeper into the exhibition season.
■ Trent Thornton — The man who threw the most innings for the Jays in 2019 — as a rookie — is the early front-runner for the fifth starter’s spot. If he continues to pitch the way he has, it’s his to lose. Give Shun Yamaguchi and Anthony Kay an outside shot. Ryan Borucki continues to work his way back from elbow tightness.
INFIELD/DH
■ First base — Travis Shaw is the clear front-runner to log the most time at the spot vacated by the departure of Justin Smoak. The front office is making a leap of faith that he’ll return to his batting form of a couple of years ago. The former Brewer is expected to move over to third at times.
■ Second base — In manager Charlie Montoyo’s mind, Cavan Biggio is the everyday guy at second base. That said, he isn’t afraid to sprinkle the versatile sophomore around both the infield and the outfield.
■ Shortstop — Bo Bichette. Overshadowed by his success at the plate in his scintillating debut was his excellent work defensively. Bichette took it personally when some questioned his defensive game and moved like a proven veteran in his rookie year. Even better, he’s a true everyday guy who would play all 162 if the manager let him.
■ Third base — Vlad Guerrero Jr. is back with a slightly retooled body he’s hoping will help him play lighter on his feet and cut down on his team-leading 17 errors from 2019. The team is committed to him being the main guy over at the hot corner.
■ Designated hitter — This spot is shaping up as a musical chair with no true DH prototype on the roster. Rowdy Tellez could log some significant time there, but we’re expecting Montoyo to give Guerrero and outfielder Teoscar Hernandez a chance, as well.
■ Next men up: Tellez, Joe Panik and Brandon Drury all figure to be in the battle for defensive bench strength, with one likely ending up as the odd man out.
CATCHERS
■ Danny Jansen — Montoyo has acknowledged there will be a platoon situation at backstop, but based on his experience, Jansen may have the slight edge in playing time.
■ Reese Mcguire — Like Jansen, he’s caught most of the big pitchers in camp. The Jays like the tandem and they also like the fact he hit .299 over 97 at bats.
OUTFIELD
■ Centre field — When Randal Grichuk broke into the majors in 2015 with the Cardinals, he actually started at centre. But injuries and some questioning of his defensive metrics saw him shuffled to right field, where he’s played the majority of his games in the majors. With no off-season acquisitions for the middle outfield spot, Grichuk is the captain out there.
■ Left field — One of the better stories of 2019 was Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s emergence as a stalwart on the left side after totally melting down as an infielder. He continues to grow in confidence, and considering how the Jays love having his bat in the lineup, it’s been a large development.
■ Right field — Perhaps the most beleaguered Jays outfielder over the past couple seasons, Teoscar Hernandez will attempt to prove he won’t be a defensive hot mess.
■ Extras — Derek Fisher, acquired in the deal that sent Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini to the Astros, will join Anthony Alford and possibly Jonathan Davis in the battle for backup jobs.
BATTING ORDER
1. Bo Bichette — Great eye. Big numbers.
2. Cavan Biggio — Struggled at times, but used his keen eye to draw some walks.
3. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. — Montoyo likes him hitting before Guerrero.
4. Vlad Guerrero Jr. — A natural cleanup man, the hope is that his late-season slip is behind him.
5. Travis Shaw — If he can forget his terrible 2019 at the plate, the Jays may have a relative steal in this free-agent signing.
6. Teoscar Hernandez — Could be moving parts at this spot in the order.
7. Rowdy Tellez — If he hits with the power he’s shown and continues to take a better approach at the plate, he could move up.
8. Randal Grichuk — Hoping to avoid another slow start, Grichuk has adjusted his plate approach and hopes to tear it up.
9. Danny Jansen — Not known for his bat, but has some power.
BULLPEN
■ Ken Giles is your closer.
■ Anthony Bass has turned heads at camp and should get some high-leverage spots.
■ Sam Gaviglio was a huge innings eater last season and will be relied upon again.
■ Shun Yamaguchi is still in the running for a starter’s spot.
■ Wilmer Font would seem to be a sure thing based on his velocity.
■ Jordan Romano, the hard-throwing Canadian, has had a good camp.
■ Rafael Dolis was considered a sure thing to start the 2020 season in the bullpen, but he had surgery to have his appendix removed.