Jays Journal 2015 Blue Jays Pre-Season Awards Picks

Mar 30, 2015; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Daniel Norris (32) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

With Spring Training coming to a close, it’s time to ask the staff of Jays Journal to provide their pre-season award picks to the following categories:

Who will lead the Blue Jays in home runs?

Who be the MVB- Most Valuable Bat

MVA- Most Valuable Arm

Gold Glove

Jays ROY

All-Star Selection

The hardest part about this task was to get the guys to pick just one player for each category, especially when it came to who’d be selected to represent Toronto at this year’s All-Star game on July 14th in Cincinnati.

As a Blue Jay fan, I find that I tend to gravitate toward certain players more than others. I also find it interesting to see which players my fellow Jays Journal writers and readers gravitate to, so that’s why I love putting these types of pieces out. They allow us to connect and show our affinity for certain players. It allows us to see whose truly valued and adored by the fans and fanatics.

I’ll be the first to admit that I was not a fan of Edwin Encarnacion and you could find my comments on many a Jays sites calling for his head. I am that I was not running the team because he has turned himself into an integral piece to this puzzle.

A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz. ~Humphrey Bogart

Mar 30, 2015; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Danny Valencia (23) is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a 2-run home run during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Home Runs Leader

In 2009, Aaron Hill finished the year with 36 home runs to lead the Blue Jays. Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion were both members of this Jays team, but only managed to hit 21 home runs combined. The following year would mark Bautista ascent to super stardom and he became the face of the franchise. He would not only lead Toronto in home runs, but would set the Jays single season HR record by eclipsing George Bell’s 47 he hit in his MVP year of 1987. Jose tallied 54 round trippers in 2010.

Over the next five years Jose Bautista would lead the Jays in HR three times (2010, 2011, and 2014) and Edwin Encarnacion would lead twice (2012, and 2013).

Combined the Jays 3 and 4 hitters have provided the Jays faithful with a lot to cheer about:

• 2010- 75 HR
• 2011- 60 HR
• 2012- 69 HR
• 2013- 64 HR
• 2014- 69 HR

So do we think will lead the Jays in home runs in 2015?

Kyle- Josh Donaldson

Shaun- Josh Donaldson

Keegan- Edwin Encarnacion

Craig- Josh Donaldson

Ryan- Edwin Encarnacion

Justin-Jose Bautista

Mar 29, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mark Buehrle (56) throws a pitch in the first inning of the spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

MVA

Not since Roy Halladay was traded during the 2010 off-season have the Blue Jays with a bona fide ACE. Not since the Gustavo Chacin, Shaun Marcum, and Casey Janssen in 2006 have the Jays this many home grown arms to cheer for….oh Gustavo, I had such high hopes for you.

This year was to belong to Marcus Stroman. He was expected to take the next step and assume the title of ACE, one many thought RA Dickey would fill when Alex Anthopoulos traded away top prospects for. Unfortunately after suffering a torn ACL, the Blue Jays will be without the services for the Alumni of Duke University for the entire year.

Fear not Jays fans, we will preserver and will not need to call on the likes of Chien-Ming Wang, Ramon Ortiz, or Aaron Laffey from years past. We have the luxury of being able to turn to talented arm, the likes this organization have not seen since Halladay and Cris Carpenter.

Kyle – Drew Hutchison

Shaun- Drew Hutchison

Keegan- Daniel Norris

Craig- Drew Hutchison

Ryan- Drew Hutchison

Justin- Daniel Norris

Mar 29, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Jose Reyes (7) throws to first base in the third inning of the spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Gold Glove

Alex Anthopoulos didn’t just improve the Blue Jays offence…no no no. By bring in Russell Martin, Michael Saunders, Josh Donaldson, Dalton Pompey, and soon to be announced Devon Travis, Alex has improved the gloves in the field as well.

The loss of Brett Lawrie at the hot corner was a tough pill to swallow, but the addition of Josh Donaldson will make it easier for all of us. Josh is no slouch in the field and should be able to play more games, thus eliminating Gibby to use an assortment of misfits for long stretches.

Saunders and Pompey will drastically improve the OF defence over Melky Cabrera and Colby Rasmus. This should only make Russell Martin’s job behind the plate that much easier, knowing that a ball in the gap isn’t an automatic double.

Kyle – Josh Donaldson

Shaun- Josh Donaldson

Keegan- Dalton Pompey

Craig- Josh Donaldson

Ryan- Russell Martin

Justin- Josh Donaldson

Mar 24, 2015; Fort Myers, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Dalton Pompey (45) looks over after he was forced out after sliding into second base against the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jays ROY

I’ve been accused of being a prospect pusher and for caring more about the Buffalo Bisons, New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Dunedin Blue Jays , and many more amazing teams than our own Toronto Blue Jays….that’s not far from the truth.

A healthy farm system, one that, at a minimum, can fill holes with replacement level talent is the key to building a winner. In the 80’s the Blue Jays had guys like Jesse Barfield, Fred McGriff, Tony Fernandez, Dave Stieb, Lloyd Moseby, and many many more home grown talent help forge this organization into a winner.

This year the team will have it’s fare share of rookies to cheer on and to be patient with. There will be ups and down to endure, but knowing that they are the future of this club will make it that much sweeter when we celebrate their accomplishments.

Kyle – Dalton Pompey

Shaun- Devon Travis

Keegan- Devon Travis

Craig- Daniel Norris

Ryan- Daniel Norris

Justin- Dalton Pompey

Aug 6, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds unveil the All Star Game logo prior to the game against the Cleveland Indians at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

All-Star Selection

Have you ever taken a test where all the answers look write? I have. I call the teacher over to get some clarification or with hopes that he or she will take pity on me and just give me the answer, only to be told to pick the ‘most’ correct answer. Has this happen to you? Well that is what I asked these guys to do.

The current line-up has it’s share of All-Stars. in 2014, Jose Bautista was the leading vote getter, Josh Donaldson started at 3rd base, Mark Buehrle used his quick start to get named to the team, and Edwin Encarncion was added to the AL bench. Now I don’t expect Mark Buehrle to be selected to the team again this year, I expect that any one of the others to be considered.

Kyle – Josh Donaldson

Shaun- Jose Bautista

Keegan- Josh Donaldson

Craig- Josh Donaldson

Ryan- Aaron Loup

Share with us your picks the upcoming season and stay with us through the season.

Next: Could the Blue Jays be done with Josh Thole?

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