Blue Jays Morning Brew: Podcast, Depth, and Pompey

The Blue Jays news cycle remains quiet, but we’ve rounded up the best stories from around the web (and a new podcast episode!) to help out with Hump Day

Jays Nest Podcast Ep. 57  –  I joined Shaun Doyle for episode 57 of the Jays Nest Podcast, and as the old saying goes, one-day delays due to technical difficulties make the heart grow stronger. (Subscribe on iTunes here and Stitcher here).

We debrief on the departure of Munenori Kawasaki, how he was handled in the city of Toronto and whether or not his loss rivals that of old fan favourite John McDonald. Later on in the show, we also discuss Drew Hutchison and Aaron Sanchez. How many more cracks at the starting rotation will each get before a more full-time bullpen possibility?

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

We were also joined by Adam Hayre, a fitness specialist and co-founder of KinMove.ca for a great chat about the recovery of Michael Saunders. Adam offered some insight as to what Saunders will be dealing with entering this season and how the meniscus injury will impact him both now and in the future.

Catching up with Jesse Litsch  –  Shi Davidi of Sportsnet spoke with old friend Jesse Litsch, who underwent seven surgeries attempting to resurrect his baseball career before deciding to turn to coaching. Litsch will be working as the pitching coach for Team Philippines at the upcoming World Baseball Classic qualifier in February.

Litsch made 67 starts for the Blue Jays between 2007 and 2011, and in his early-20s before injuries took control, looked to be headed towards a fairly successful career.

Pompey’s second chance  –  Dalton Pompey spoke with Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com recently about the season ahead, and the young Canadian outfielder says he plans on keeping it simple.

“Do what I talked to Stubby Clapp about. We talked about having three to five things a game that can eventually change the game — whether it’s diving for a ball, throwing a guy out, having a walk or getting a hit. Just little things that can keep me in the game and take the pressure off just trying to get hits and RBIs and stuff like that. I think it will be beneficial for me in the long run.”

Next: T0p-5 likeliest non-roster invitees to crack the 25-man roster

Boomer Collins goes cricket  –  A very interesting and in-depth story here from Tyler Maun of MiLB.com on former Blue Jays prospect Boomer Collins, who is now attempting to carve out a career as a professional cricket player.

A look at depth  –  Jason Pepper over at Jays From the Couch put together a nice look at the Blue Jays positional depth recently. Given the relative stability of the Blue Jays core carrying over from 2015, the picture isn’t terribly worrying.

Toronto’s rotation remains somewhat of a question mark, though one involving some upside. With some added depth moves headed into spring training, much like Roberto Hernandez, Scott Diamond and Brad Penny, the Blue Jays should have a solid base of depth built up.