Jays hopefuls make pitch for rotation
2020 staff could be another makeshift unit
I THINK I’VE SHOWN SOME GOOD THINGS AND ALSO SHOWN SOME THINGS I CAN IMPROVE ON. BUT I THINK I’VE HELD MY OWN OUT THERE. WE’LL SEE WHEN WE GET TO SPRING TRAINING AND GO FROM THERE. — JAYS PITCHER JACOB WAGUESPACK
As stats go, it might not be an entirely representative gauge of the Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation, but it is certainly an eye-opener.
Consider that the leader in wins by pitchers this season clocks in at a mere six and both are long gone from the roster — starter Marcus Stroman and reliever Daniel Hudson — and you’ve got an idea of the struggles.
Also consider that a group decimated by injuries, trades and sub- par performances at various points in the season — not to mention regular use of an opener — has no bona fide frontof- the- rotation options to end this season and likely headed into the next one.
When asked earlier this week who he’d favour for any fictitious crowning of a Jays MVP for the season, Jays manager Charlie Montoyo began stumping for reliever Sam Gaviglio.
Nothing against Gaviglio, but if a middle reliever is your team’s MVP it’s a strong indication of where the season has gone.
Working out of the bullpen, Gaviglio has logged 95 innings, second only to starter Trent Thornton on the staff. Translated, Montoyo’s point was that at least he had Gaviglio at his disposal to help save the bullpen when one of his struggling starters exited early.
But back to the revolving door of said starters, a situation that looms as the most pressing of many off- season priorities for general manager Ross Atkins.
Enough of the past — which included season- derailing injuries to Matt Shoemaker and Ryan Borucki, plus the swapping of wouldbe aces Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez. So what now?
After Wednesday’ s win against the Orioles, Montoyo praised Jacob Waguespack and declared that the lanky right- hander is “competing for a job” based on his body of work in his rookie season. Just who he will be competing against is another issue, of course. But like a curveball in the dirt, we digress.
Waguespack is not alone in the competition with the known front- runner of those competitors being staff workhorse Thornton, who has five wins and one remaining start.
Both of those arms have potential, but they are not yet material to build your pitching staff around. Waguespack, Montoyo has made clear, has at least put himself in consideration for a fifth starter’s spot, while Thornton is almost certain to hold down a spot barring any sort of setback.
“I think I’ve shown some good things and also shown some things I can improve on,” Waguespack said following Wednesday’s six- inning shutout effort against the O’s. “But I think I’ve held my own out there. We’ll see when we get to spring training and go from there.”
Though he’s been inconsistent at times and in his final start was more grinding than good, Waguespack has had some terrific outings as well, notably the seven innings of one- hit shutout ball against the Dodgers in August.
Where Waguespack and the rest of the candidates “go from there” depends on at least a couple of significant factors.
Start with the return of Shoemaker ( knee) and Borucki ( elbow), who were lost for almost the entire season. Each are on track for a full recovery, but given the time missed also have an element of uncertainty when pitchers and catchers report to Dunedin, Fla., in February.
Clay Buchholz has been an excellent mentor to several of the younger pitchers on the Jays staff, but he’s not expected to be back given he’s on one-year deal and his most effective days are behind him.
The rest, it would seem, is dependent on what Atkins is able to accomplish in the off- season. Barring a miracle, expect 2020 to begin much the way 2019 ended — with Jays hitters and position players far more advanced on the rebuild ladder than the pitching staff.
In any event, the demise of the Jays starting staff has been swift. J.A. Happ led the team with 10 wins in 2018, but was gone before the July 31 trade deadline. While the previous year, three Toronto pitchers hit double digits — Stroman ( 13), Marco Estrada (10) and Happ (10).
WHAT TO WATCH?
With three games remaining in the schedule, we offer our top three Blue Jays rookie items to watch as we wind down to Game 162.
1. What about Bo?
Though concussion symptoms have subsided to the point of being non- existent, there is still no guarantee that rookie Bo Bichette sees any action in the series versus the Rays.
If the team’s medical staff is certain he’s clear, we suppose there’s no harm in starting him in one or two of the games as a confidence boost to finish off his terrific bigleague debut. On the other hand, why risk further damage?
2. Let’s get Rowdy
It’s still a tall order, but with a pair of home runs against the O’s on Wednesday night, first baseman Rowdy Tellez has 21 on the season and a shot at Eric Hinske’s rookie club record of 24.
Tellez can ride a hot streak, but how much will he play, especially if Montoyo gives Justin Smoak some notable playing time in what is likely his final Rogers Centre home series with the Jays.
3. What about Vlad?
Can Vlad Guerrero Jr. finish his freshman campaign with a bang?
The at- times dazzling hitter is a must watch every time he gets into the batter’s box, but in terms of homerun prowess he’s running on fumes.
Guerrero is currently 0-for-september in the longball department ( and 26 games overall) and locked on 15 for the season.