Blue Jays 2015 Year End Awards: Biggest Surprise

Oct 19, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Fans applaud Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) as he leaves the game seventh inning in game three of the ALCS against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The entire season that the Blue Jays just had could be considered surprising. Which aspect was the biggest surprise though?

The J.J. YEAs are coming to a close. Surely a surprise to all who thought they would go on daily until the victory parade raged down Yonge Street. The final award will be given to the player or aspect of the 2015 season that was the biggest surprise. Unsurprisingly, the writing staff of Jays Journal could not agree on the Biggest Surprise. Hence, surprise! Five players or events will be recapped on the ensuing pages!

A few of these players have been talked about already during the awards season, hence their inclusion here will come as no surprise. Will there still be a surprise sprung by a couple of the choices here? Perhaps. Or perhaps the word “surprise” has lost all meaning by this point. Maybe that was the biggest surprise of all. OK, that was the last one. Let’s move on to the honorees.

Honorable Mention: Kevin Pillar

Pillar has been mentioned during this series of awards articles almost as often as the words “surprise” in the paragraphs. His comeback from his bat-slamming incident last year has been driven by his hustling nature, and it led to a vastly improved season. The most surprising thing about his season is that he had the chance to play as often as he did.

Pillar was supposed to be the fourth outfielder, but the injury to Michael Saunders pushed him into the lineup. Once he was there he made sure he wasn’t going to leave it, his defense proving invaluable to the team. As he slid over to take center field duties, his amazing range was expanded and the outfield defense that had been a liability in prior seasons was now a strength. The man who was supposed to be a backup ended up leading the Blue Jays by appearing in 159 games this season. He also delivered another surprise, with good and bad implications, in September…

Next: Honorable Mention: A Surprise Late Entry to the Team

Honorable Mention: Darwin Barney (The New Munenori Kawasaki?)

The injury to Troy Tulowitzki was thought to be a blow to the Blue Jays’ hopes of winning the division outright. That proved to be a false belief, but the blow struck by Kevin Pillar had a hidden benefit to the team and it’s fan base. For that injury brought Darwin Barney out of the mists of time and into a pennant race that he was able to impact in such a short stint with the team.

Barney was a former Gold Glover with the Chicago Cubs in 2012 and after that his bat fell off a table. Batting .208 in 2013 cost him his starting job with the Cubs and they traded him to Los Angeles in 2014. He started 2015 with the team but was waived and sent down after just two games. He rode buses around Oklahoma City and was at home in Portland until the Blue Jays suddenly needed a backup infielder. He grabbed his glove and headed up North.

Fans instantly embraced him. Barney enchanted with his dashing good looks:

Barney had a name that led to jokes about science and children’s TV:

Despite not being known for swinging the stick, Barney also joined in on the Blue Jays’ record setting offensive output. He had a slugging percentage of .609 with the team, with two home runs! Three, if the Little League home run in the division clinching win over the Orioles is counted!

With Cliff Pennington moving to the Angels and Devon Travis on the shelf again, the Blue Jays could use some infield depth. They are familiar with Barney, and the fans want him back:

Seeing Barney back in Toronto blue in 2016 would be a pleasant surprise for fans who have accepted that Kawasaki is not the answer at age 34.

Next: Honorable Mention: Surprises at closer and first base..

Honorable Mention: Roberto Osuna

The 20-year-old from the state of Sinaloa wasn’t expected to be a factor for the big league ball club in 2015, but he surprised everyone by making the squad out of spring training. The more talented of the two boys in the pen, as well as the more polished and poised, Osuna soon moved up the ranks in the bullpen hierarchy to take over the closing gig in June.

He was good enough to win the J.J. Rookie of the Year award, but finished a distant fourth in the actual voting. The surprising thing was that he was being considered for a rotation spot in 2016. Osuna was too valuable in a bullpen that needs every live arm can get. The acquisition of Jesse Chavez should put an end to that notion and allow the Little Cannon to pitch from a comfortable spot in 2016.

Runner Up: Chris Colabello

A second straight runner-up finish for Colabello, who was lost amidst the sea of waiver claims made in the off-season last year. The Blue Jays expected someone who could provide depth in the organization and be a spare bat if needed. What they got was a bat just a shade below the Big Three in terms of value.

Colabello’s stick was worth 19 runs above a replacement-level bat, good enough for fourth on the team. His batting average led the squad at .321 and his OPS+ was just behind Jose Bautista (142 vs. 149). His glove was not fit for the field of play but when combined with fellow waiver claimee Justin Smoak, their WAR equaled 2.0. What was expected to be a tough spot to fill following the departure of Adam Lind was handled deftly by the two first baseman, but Smoak was the primary candidate to be the starter. Colabello forced his way into the discussion with his bat.

Next: 2015 Biggest Surprise: For Long Time Blue Jays Fans, This Won't Be A Surprise