Blue Jays Spring Training: Roster Spot Battles Update

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Mar 4, 2015; Bradenton, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar (11) doubles scoring catcher Dioner Navarro (not pictured) during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout Spring Training, Jays Journal will be keeping a keen eye on 4 key roster spot battles up for grabs in Dunedin. Although still very early, through four games there have been a few interesting developments that have provided some clarity as to what the Opening Day roster may look like.

Fourth Outfielder:

Over the past week, Kevin Pillar appears to have cemented his status as the favourite to win the fourth outfielder job. Pillar kicked off his campaign by scoring the Jays’ first runs of Spring Training with a two-run home run against Pittsburgh hard-throwing reliever Stolmy Pimentel. Since then, Pillar has only hit .200 but has shown some improved plate discipline by having yet to record a strikeout. It’s still very, very early, but Pillar has looked good at the plate thus far.

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Defensively, Pillar has switched between center and left field and once again has shown his versatility to play multiple positions in the outfield. On Wednesday, Pillar had an outstanding diving catch that robbed Steve Lombardozzi of extra bases and demonstrated his abilities that will make him a good late-inning defensive substitution off the bench once the regular season rolls around.

Although it was reported that Michael Saunders may be ready for Opening Day, there is every chance that Pillar may be the starter in left field come April 6^th in Yankee Stadium. If that is the case, the Jays may explore keeping an extra outfielder on the roster until Saunders is ready for game action. So far in Spring Training, Chris Dickerson has shown a patient approach at the plate and ability to get on base (3 walks in 4 at-bats). Other than Dickerson, there haven’t been any noteworthy performances by other reserve outfielder candidates. It’s probably still too early to tell if Pillar actually does have strong competition for the fourth outfielder spot.

R.A. Dickey’s Catcher:

Though R.A. Dickey kicked off his Spring Training in impressive style – recording 2 innings of shutout ball with three strikeouts and only one walk – it appears as though Russell Martin’s acquaintance with the knuckleball is still a work in progress. It’s reported that Martin appeared to have trouble with at least 5 or 6 of Dickey’s knuckleballs and he admitted in his post-game interview that he is still getting familiar with the pitches movement.

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It is an encouraging sign for Jays fans that Dickey appears to be all in on giving Martin an opportunity to prove himself capable of being his everyday catcher. Throughout Spring Training, the two have been inseparable and Dickey has praised Martin for his effort to learn how to catch the pitch and his progress so far. Even Josh Thole has been impressed with Martin’s determination to catch the knuckleball and has been providing him with some tips and pointers on how best to position himself behind the plate when catching Dickey.

For Jays fans, it’s a great sign that management is giving Martin plenty of time in Spring Training to win the job. Even more encouraging is that Dickey seems happy with his progress and that Martin is learning from the only man who’s been able to prove himself capable of handling the backstop duties for the 2012 NL Cy Young Award winner.

Next: Rotation & 2B Battles

Mar 5, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Daniel Norris (32) pitches during the second inning of a spring training baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Fifth Starter:

After outings by Aaron Sanchez, Marco Estrada and Daniel Norris, the “most interesting man in baseball” looks to have the inside track on the fifth starter job. Again, because it’s so early in Spring Training, it’s difficult to draw conclusions, but Norris Impressed on Thursday evening by striking out two batters with one walk in and 1 and 2/3rds innings of work against the Baltimore Orioles. As was noted by Jays Journal this past week, in his post-game interview Norris mentioned that after walking Adam Jones he made a mechanical adjustment that helped him get back on track and post a scoreless outing. For the 21 year old super prospect to notice inconsistencies in his mechanics and then to have the awareness to fix them while on the mound certainly should not be overlooked. It’s a fantastic sign for Jays fans that their potential future ace is demonstrating a very mature approach to his Spring Training campaign and looking great on the mound while doing so.

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Aaron Sanchez started the first game of Spring Training on Tuesday afternoon and although posting a less than impressive 1 and 1/3rds innings of 4 hit, 4 run ball (including a home run to Pirates slugger Pedro Alvarez), I thought Sanchez looked pretty good until he was victimized by some questionable calls behind the plate and poor defence. Only 2 of those 4 runs were earned, and Sanchez appeared to be cruising through the first inning until Josh Donaldson made a mess of a routine ground ball that would have been the third out.

However, more than each 5^th starter candidate’s performance in Spring Training, the job may be handed to Norris out of circumstance. It’s been reported that Brett Cecil is experiencing some inflammation in his throwing shoulder. Although Cecil is expected to resume throwing next week, it’s unclear what this means for Sanchez and Estrada who may need to provide some stability to an already thin bullpen. If Cecil’s injury persists and he is not ready for Opening Day, it’s likely that Sanchez and Estrada will be counted upon in the bullpen. Sanchez will likely resume his late inning relief work and might even be considered as a stop-gap closer until Cecil is ready.

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Second Base:

Jays Journal took an in depth look into the second base battle earlier this week and it appears as though this competition is wide open. The Jays are giving Devon Travis every opportunity to win the job, leading the Jays’ entire roster with 10 at bats through 4 games. Although Travis is yet to record a hit, the Jays appear hopeful that the former Detroit Tigers #1 prospect can show he’s worthy of having his path to the majors accelerated in 2015.

In contrast to Travis’ early batting woes, Ryan Goins has started Spring Training off in impressive style, hitting 3-7 including an RBI triple to right-center in yesterday’s game. Goins has shifted between shortstop and second base and my feeling is that the Jays know what they have in the 27-year old defensive specialist. Right now, Goins might be the early candidate for winning the reserve middle infielder job. However, if Goins continues to hit well, John Gibbons will have a good problem on his hands with multiple options at second base to start the 2015 season.

Maicer Izturis started off the favourite to win the second base job and has only appeared in 2 games and 3 at bats. Because of Izturis’ vast experience in the Major Leagues, it feels like the Jays know what they will get from the veteran and are giving more opportunities to Travis and Goins to showcase their skills. Still, I would continue to consider Izturis as the favourite. Unless Travis really begins to impress at the plate and proves he is major league ready, the likely scenario is that the Jays start with Izturis as the opening Day second baseman with Goins as the reserve middle infielder and Travis being sent to AAA to continue to hone his skills.

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