Blue Jays First Half Surprises

Jun 24, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder

(15) reacts at home plate after hitting the game-winning home run during the twelfth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 in the twelfth inning. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Colabello was supposed to be a depth pick up. That’s it. He was supposed to be a “just in case” kind of guy. And yet, here he is with 55 games in (221 plate appearances) and a .325 average. He’s hit 8 home runs, scored 37 runs and driven in 32. And, before anyone feels the need to, I will acknowledge his astronomical BABIP of .421. That definitely indicates a success that will surely regress. But for right now, let’s just enjoy the surprise that he has been providing us.

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

Colabello has been providing good at bats looking at hitting the ball up the middle as evidenced by 41.9% hit toward center. He’s not walking a ton, but he has provided a nice complimentary bat for this heavy lineup. His first half has his +WPA at 5.08. Fangraphs.com also puts his batting value at 10.6! He’s been a valuable piece to the offense.

Yet, overall, his WAR sits at -0.1.  That’s because as good as his bat has been, his defense has been the polar opposite. He’s played left field to the tune of -45.9 UZR/150 and -10 DRS in 247 innings. Nope, it’s not been pretty. In right field, it’s been bad too: -51.9 UZR/150 and -5 DRS 108 innings. What about first base where he is really supposed to play? Well, in 86.2 innings it looks like this: -13.8 UZR/150 and -3 DRS. Those who are going to argue against Colabello will point to these numbers.

Numbers don’t lie. Defensively, he’s been bad. But, with a bat, Chris Colabello has been one of the bigger surprises of the first half of the 2015 season.

Agree? Disagree? Take our poll at the end and choose your Blue Jays Surprise for the first half of 2015.

Next: Spiderman is in the House!