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Blue Jays Spring Training Notes & Numbers

By Shaun Doyle |
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Mar 17, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis (77) hits an RBI single during the second inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

There are two weeks to go before the Blue Jays Spring Training games end and the club starts to play games for real. The season opens up on April 6 at Yankee Stadium and before that happens, there are still some questions that need to be answered. Let’s take a look at what is happening to answer them.

Devon Travis is Convincing

When we heard that the 24 year old infielder had been traded for Anthony Gose, there was a mixed bag of reactions. Many were excited that the Blue Jays had acquired such a high level talent. Others were skeptical that he would impact the big league team immediately since he’d never played above AA in the Tigers system. And, with others in the mix for the job at second base, his future looked to be in AAA Buffalo. 

Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays /

Toronto Blue Jays

His spring didn’t exactly start out indicating otherwise. He got off to a rough start. And, when we spoke to him he was just happy to be there. Now, though? It looks like a different story is emerging. Travis has received the 2nd most at bats of anyone this spring with 36. While this may not be a lot, it is in the context of Spring Training. In total, he’s slashing .361/.410/.500 with 5 doubles and 6 RBI. As well, he’s impressing with his glove as well. With varying injuries to Ramon Santiago (collar bone) and Maicer Izturis (groin), Travis’ play is highlighted even more. Of course, some will point to Ryan Goins, but his time has mostly been at short stop. So, Travis may very well be the lats man standing.

 Dalton Pompey is the Man

The only player getting more time than Devon Travis is Dalton Pompey. The Blue Jays are giving both youngsters every opportunity to shine. And, like Travis, Pompey is. In 37 at bats, he’s hitting .324/.342/.459 with 3 doubles, a triple, and 3 stolen bases. Now, he does have 9 K in that time, which is something he’ll need to work on. But, like Travis, Pompey is outperforming the competition for his CF job as well as stating healthy. That combination makes for a clear path north with the team.

 The Injury Bug is Thriving

Every team in every season has to deal with injuries. We know this. But, watching the Blue Jays reporting rather significant injuries so often and early is worrisome. Losing Marcus Stroman for the entire 2015 season is a massive gut punch for this team.  Many felt that he would take huge strides this season. Instead this club will have to push Daniel Norris and Aaronr Sanchez into starting roles whether they’re quite ready or not. 

A broken collar bone for Ramon Santiago, a wonky oblique for Kevin Pillar (Bless you!), a groin for Maicer Izturis, shoulder inflammation for Brett Cecil, back inflammation for Edwin Encarnacion all add up to various degrees of anxiety among Blue Jays fans.

While Pillar will be back playing, Santiago and Izturis open a spot (as stated above). Cecil threw in a minor league game already and is working his way back. Norris and Sanchez are showing signs of being ready, but raw. Ideally, they’d have the luxury of growing without the pressure of performing at the big league level. But, as it stands right now, they’ll have to learn and grow at the highest level of competition. They’ll have ups and downs, but should be fine.

The one question mark that lingers is the health of Edwin Encarnacion. His back has limited him to just 6 at bats all spring. Now, Spring Training is a short period of time for guys to get their timing etc down, but it certainly is not a huge amount of time. Having said that, EE is missing out on that time. Will his bat be ready for Opening Day? Can it be with such little time? What if it isn’t? He’ll have to DH. That begs the question of who will play 1st. Both Daric Barton and Justin Smoak have started playing better lately and are creating some more options for that scenario.

Next: Notes and Numbers for Blue Jays Pitchers

Mar 11, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Drew Hutchison (36) throws a warm up pitch during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at a spring training game at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Rotation

Obviously, any rotation that has Marcus Stroman removed form it is worse off. Of that there is no doubt. But, can this rotation of R.A. Dickey, Mark Buehrle, Drew Hutchison, Daniel Norris and Aaron Sanchez carry the Blue Jays to success in 2015? Early results are actually good. The first 4 starters all have an ERA under 3 while Sanchez’ sits at 4.85. Again, this is Spring Training and should be taken as such. Having said that, though, we can get excited about the season that lies ahead.

We know what we’ll get from Dickey and Buehrle: 200+ innings of at or above .500 ball. #HutchShow looks to be set to rebound nicely this season. In 10 innings, he’s 5 K and held batters to a .182 average. Again, it is just spring, but this is a good sign. IF it were the other way around, we’d be at least a little concerned.

Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays /

Toronto Blue Jays

As for Norris and Sanchez…It is a tale of two pitchers. Norris is cementing himself in this rotation. In 12.2 innings, he’s collected 14 (!) strike outs and walked just 4. He may, in fact, be too close to the strike zone as he’s given up 13 hits as well. But, he’s continuing to battle, which is impressive. And, when you get the chance to see his curveball in action…oh, boy.

Sanchez on the other hand is having a bit of a rougher time of things so far. In 13 innings, he’s given up a HR, 13 hits, 3 BB and 7 earned runs. Perhaps the addition of his work in progress pitch will go a long way to bringing those numbers down.

Another option would be to go with Marco Estrada as the 5th starter. He certainly has some experience if the Blue Jays want to go that route. Except, hitters are hitting .343 off him so far. He’s given up 12 hits, 2 HR and 8 ER in 7.2 innings for an ERA of 9.39. I’d stick with the youngsters, thank you very much.

The Bullpen

All winter, we’d heard that the bullpen was in desperate need of repair. And, after doing a whole lot of nothing to address it, the Blue Jays are actually looking pretty good in this department.

Steve Delabar has looked quite good so far this spring. In 6 innings, he’s struck out 9 and walked just 1. He looked especially good against the Phillies yesterday when he picked up the save on 9 pitches, striking out the side. IF he can continue this reversal of 2014, he’ll be a huge boost for the ‘pen. 

Kyle Drabek has shown some progress as well. He’s got 5 strike outs in 5 innings and just 2 BB. On one of the games broadcast, pitching coach Pete Walker said that bullpen guys need about 7 games to be ready for the season. Well, Drabek is almost there. He’s performed decently in the sample size the team needs to make their decision. If this small sample size is all we need to go by, Drabek is ready to head north as part of the bullpen.

All winter, Blue Jays GM, Alex Anthopoulos has been pushing the idea of Miguel Catsro heading to the bullpen with the big league club. Very few people thought this was a good idea. In fact, our own Michael Wray called the idea “crazy”. But, after seeing Castro in action, many of those skeptics are ready to throw away the conservative approach and get on board with the idea, including Wray, who changed his mind. In 6.2 innings, Castro has given up just 2 hits to go with 4 strike outs. Opponents are hitting just 0.95 and his WHIP is 0.30. Hello! Castro is lighting up the radar gun in the high 90’s and making AA look quite good. With the same ‘required’ innings from a bullpen arm as Drabek, we could very well see Castro in Toronto to start the season.

Yes, Spring Training is a small sample size. But, when roster decisions and positions are on the line, the numbers we see in March have an impact on who we see in April. Stay tuned as we keep you up to date on the Blue Jays progress toward Opening Day 2015.

Next: Possible Options for Blue Jays & Article XX(b) Free Agents

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