Blue Jays’ leaders in Osuna’s eyes

Prior to Friday’s game with the Angels, Roberto Osuna was asked who he views as the clubhouse leaders for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Leadership comes in many forms. For some players and teams, in comes in leading quietly by example. For others, it can be a player or players being very vocal in the dugout and on the field. Every team is different, and every player reacts differently to leadership in it’s various forms.

When Roberto Osuna was asked who he views as the leaders of the Blue Jays, he didn’t hesitate much before naming three players in particular: Troy Tulowitzki, Jason Grilli, and Russell Martin.

On a veteran laden squad like the Blue Jays, you may get twenty different answers to the same question, but it’s still an interesting answer to a loaded question. We must also keep in mind that Osuna spends his time in the bullpen as opposed to the bench, so that obviously affects his perspective.

It should come as no surprise that Russell Martin was one of the three Osuna listed as a leader, as Martin as long been known and coveted because of that leadership. He’s been given high praise as a receiver, and for his work with pitchers of all ages and experience levels. He’s been the guy catching the ball for Osuna for 95% of his young career, and Martin has no doubt been pivotal in helping him adjust to the MLB… if the young phenom needed any help.

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Grilli hasn’t been around the club all that long yet, but he is an experienced veteran. The 39 year old has pitched for nine different MLB teams throughout his career, and has long been a successful late-inning arm, having amassed 78 career saves and a 4.03 ERA since first appearing in 2000.

Although he’s only been around a few months, he is a vocal and excitable figure, and there’s little doubt that Osuna has benefited from his presence. He has been around a few veterans like Brett Cecil, and others, but few that had Grilli’s late game experience. Osuna has thrived in the role over his nearly two full seasons as a closer, but he had little to no experience as a reliever prior to joining the Blue Jays in 2015 as a 20 year old.

The interesting name in the bunch is Tulowitzki, although it shouldn’t be overanalyzed too much. As stated above, Osuna spends the bulk of his game time out in the bullpen, so his interactions are limited to other relievers as coaches. When he comes in to nail down the save, his most significant connection is with the Martin or whomever is catching.

Tulowitzki has been with the Jays for a little better than one full season now, and despite missing time with injuries, has been a significant contributor for the club. He is still a plus defender at short, and aggressively leads a talented left side of the infield with Josh Donaldson, when both are healthy of course. He’s also a vocal leader, as you ideally hope for with your shortstop, and his defence has been a welcome upgrade over his predecessor in Jose Reyes.

If you asked the same question to someone like Kevin Pillar, his answer may include Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, and Jose Bautista. With as many veteran voices in the clubhouse as the Jays have, there isn’t really a bad answer to the question.

It is interesting to note, though, as the Jays have some big questions to answer in free agency this coming offseason. It is encouraging to know that there are strong leaders in the clubhouse (Tulo’s under contract until 2021, Martin ’19), even if the Jays end up losing some strong pieces down the road.