Blue Jackets displaying progress on defense
Tortorella: Columbus’ D’s top 4 ‘inconsistent’
At their peak last season, the Blue Jackets skated one of the top defenses in the NHL and were a challenge for the most offensively skilled teams. That hasn’t been true in 2021, partly due to some injuries but mostly because the Jackets haven’t gotten the performances they expect.
But Thursday night in a 2-0 loss to the Blackhawks, the Jackets dramatically improved their defending in the neutral and defensive zones from the past two games. Surely the offense that has averaged 3.6 goals in 10 games in February would find the game-winner.
of unraveled on me.”
Suarez suffered a shoulder injury before spring training last year. After COVID-19 delayed the season, he never got on track. Heading into 2021, he believes he's made it through to the other side.
“This year my goal is to break my own (home run) record,” Suárez said. “I believe and I feel it's going to be a special year for me. I'm going for 50 homers.”
Whenever Cincinnati won a game in 2019, Suárez almost always played a big part. In 75 wins, he had a .319 average and a 1.122 OPS. He hit 32 of his 49 homers during those 75 games and collected 69 of his 103 RBI.
He also had a lot of big hits that season, including 21 RBI with two outs and runners in scoring position. In 2020, however, Suárez was 0 for 20 after the seventh inning in games in which the score was tied, the Reds were ahead by one run or had the potential tying run on deck.
But when general manager Nick Krall discussed players who had a good offseason, Suárez was the first name he mentioned.
Suárez lost 15 pounds by adding more fish and quinoa to his diet, potentially setting himself up for a longer and more productive career.
“Because of where he is in the order, (Suárez) seems to come up in a lot of big spots for us,” Reds manager David Bell said. “It's even more difficult to be a player in this game that is looked upon by your team and teammates to serve in that role. The expectations are high and the best players, they continue to rise to the occasion.”
Suárez said there were moments last season when he felt slow and others when his shoulder held him back. By getting stronger this offseason, Suárez says he's addressed those issues.
“This is a new version of myself,” he said. “I worked so hard in the offseason that I want to see what the hard work brings to me. I believe this is going to be my year.”
The question with Aquino is whether he can maintain enough consistency to receive regular playing time.
He entered camp in competition for the team's fifth outfielder. Nick Castellanos, Jesse Winker, Shogo Akiyama and Nick Senzel figure to receive the bulk of the playing time, and it hurts Aquino that there won't be a designated hitter in the National League this season.
He could become the primary righthanded bat off the bench, especially with his power, and it helps that he has experience in both corners of the outfield.
“There are really good outfielders on this team,” Aquino said. “No one's going to deny that. I just have to compete against myself. I'm trying to prove it out there to myself that I can do the best that I can.”
Bell chatted with Aquino in his office and came away impressed with his mindset.
“He's really determined, motivated, on a mission,” Bell said. “He felt great about the work he put in this offseason. He looks great.”
When the Reds kept Aquino at their alternate site last year, they wanted him to improve his approach at the plate. He struck out too much to be a reliable bench bat. Aquino said he made some small tweaks to his swing this offseason and feels confident.
“He had all that success in 2019 over the course of a month,” Bell said. “As great as that is, as big of a part of that development and the confidence that he can take from that, there's some challenges to have that great of a month. Really just trusting the player that he is and not living up to any sort of result expectations, I think, is a real key for him."