Checking in on some old Blue Jays friends

Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Anthopoulos moved a lot of bodies around in the off-season because he wanted to change the culture of the clubhouse. I’m sure that it had a lot to do with bringing in different talent because the old talent just wasn’t getting it done or had consistent health issues.

Over the next couple days I will take a quick look at how the Blue Jays cast-offs or like the title suggests, checking in on some old Blue Jays friends are faring in the first week of the season with their new clubs.

Brandon Morrow teased Toronto fans ever since being acquired from Seattle. The Blue Jays immediately converted him from a bullpen arm/closer to a starter. Morrow would rack up the strike outs one outing and in the next outing he would struggle to find the strike zone. The San Diego Padres picked up Brandon because, just like Toronto, they saw his potential to be a top of the rotation starter.

Coming out of spring training, Brandon Morrow was in a dog fight for the Padres fifth spot in the rotation. His competition was and remains Cuban Odrisamer Despaigne, but Morrow prevailed to capture a spot in the rotation.

He made his first start of the season on Friday night against San Francisco Giants Tim Lincecum at spacious Petco Park in San Diego. Lincecum pitched no-hitters against the Padres in 2013 and again in 2014, so Morrow was up against stiff competition.

This didn’t faze the former Blue Jays as he went 7 strong innings, scattering 4 hits, walking 3 and striking out 7 batters. More importantly for Morrow, he was able to keep the ball on the ground with a 4.0 GO/AO. He even managed to pick off Giants Nori Aoki.

Pecota Projections projects that the former Seattle 1st round draft would be a .500 pitcher with 6 wins and 6 losses, posting a 3.40ERA with 34 walks and 105 strike outs. These numbers could sky-rocket if he can stay healthy and in the rotation.