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Blue Jays 2015 Year End Awards: Best Hitter

By Ryan Andrews |
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In a season where the Blue Jays had the most prolific offensive output since Donald Trump wandered into a Mexico/Honduras soccer friendly in Miami, there are valid cases for multiple members of the Royal Canadian Mash Party to take home the award for Best Hitter. The Blue Jays scored 891 runs, 127 more than the second place New York Yankees. They led the league in home runs with 232, two more than Houston, and also led the league in walks drawn with 570, three more than the Chicago Cubs. It was an impressive display of hitting, and it was the driving force behind the Blue Jays’ run to the playoffs.

The voting for this award means no disrespect to solid contributors like Ben Revere, who was one of the few true leadoff hitters this team has had since Shannon Stewart. No disrespect for Troy Tulowitzki, who wasn’t able to get things going as quickly as he liked following the move from Colorado. No disrespect to Chris Colabello, who could hit a medicine ball and find a hole in the infield, or to Russell Martin who was a solid source of clutch hitting throughout the season.

None of those gentlemen were considered for this title, and rightly so. This category was always going to come down to the big three: Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion.

All three performed at Silver Slugger-worthy levels this season. So which one of the three bats took the title of 2015’s Best Hitter?

Next: Honorable Mention: Not An All-Star, But Still Very Productive

Honorable Mention: Edwin Encarnacion

Edwin Encarnacion is a man who is paid solely to hit baseballs. In 2015, he did just that.

Despite battling a sore knuckle in his left hand for the majority of the season, Encarnacion was still taking his parrot for walks with a frequency that would alarm even the most trusting of cul-de-sac residents. The Dominican battled to a .277/.372/.557 slash line while blasting 39 home runs and knocking in 111 runs from the clean-up slot. It was Encarnacion’s fourth straight year with at least 30 dingers, and even with the injuries problems, he was able to appear in 146 games.

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The player option on Encarnacion’s contract has already been exercised by the Blue Jays front office for a cool $10M. If he is able to swing the bat without pain in 2016, there is no reason why he won’t be able to make it five straight seasons of 30 long shots and earn a larger contract.

Given he’ll turn 34 next offseason, it’s possible this will be his last season in Toronto as President Mark Shapiro is known for being adverse to giving longer deals to older players, particularly ones who don’t offer any value in the field. Unless there is a major drop from the 4.3 average WAR that Encarnacion has posted in his past four seasons, there’s no reason not to bring him back to continue to trot around the base paths.

Next: Runner-Up: Can't Be a Best Hitter Without the Bats

Runner Up: Jose Bautista

Jose Bautista came into 2015 looking to build on his first healthy season in four years. Results during the season were mixed. His batting average took a tumble, dropping over thirty points to .250. However, his slugging percentage actually rose fourteen points. He was driving balls for extra bases instead of settling for singles, and it resulted his first 40 home run campaign in four seasons. Coupled with 114 RBIs and 108 runs scored, he should be a lock for another top-10 appearance in the MVP voting.

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Joey Bats was certainly the best hitter in crunch situations with his most memorable hits of the season coming with the Blue Jays’ backs against the wall. The home run he hit off Sam Dyson to defeat the Rangers will live on in Blue Jays’ lore alongside “Touch ’em all, Joe!” In Game 6 against the Royals, he dragged Toronto into a tie situation, providing all the offense with two moon shot home runs into the left field bleachers.

After having his option picked up for 2016, he is in the same position as Edwin. Another chance to make a run at the postseason, and prove he is worth heavily re-investing in. His case is unique, given that he rose to prominence so late in his career. It might convince Shapiro that despite turning 35 this year, it is worthwhile to make sure Bautista retires in Toronto blue.

Next: 2015 Blue Jays Best Hitter: Let the Bringer Reign

2015 Blue Jays Best Hitter: Josh Donaldson

What hasn’t been said about the debut season Donaldson had for the Blue Jays? It’s already been declared MVP-caliber by this awards committee. He was the league leader in runs batted in and runs scored. He sported a .297 average and smashed 41 home runs, while racking up an MLB-leading 352 total bases. Donaldson was the most productive #2 hitter the majors have seen in years. The question is, if he is left on his own, can Donaldson produce the same kind of numbers?

If his bash brothers of Encarnacion and Bautista are allowed to fly the nest after 2016, Donaldson is going to be counted on to deliver all the offense without the same kind of protection he was afforded this season and next. He was up to the task in Oakland, having heavy hitters like Stephen Vogt and Jonny Gomes behind him.

Troy Tulowitzki would be the primary filler of that role should the Blue Jays be without their long-time sluggers, but if he can not rediscover his Colorado contact, then Donaldson will not see any of the fat fastballs over the plate that he was able to feast on. In times of drought, the Bringer of Rain will need to adjust his swing to drive balls that he might have laid off in prior times.

Next: Who did Jays Journal name the Blue Jays Most Improved Player?

Until that time comes, Donaldson is free to celebrate his second J.J. YEA of 2015.

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