Blue Jays: Five Surprise Players in Spring Training

Feb 15, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) talks as he watches pitchers and catchers warm up before the first work out at Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons (5) talks as he watches pitchers and catchers warm up before the first work out at Cecil P. Englebert Recreation Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Bradenton, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Mike Ohlman (43) and outfielder JB Woodman (72) score runs during the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Bradenton, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Mike Ohlman (43) and outfielder JB Woodman (72) score runs during the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Mike Ohlman

I will admit I was not very familiar with Mike Ohlman when the Blue Jays inked the catcher to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. However, Ohlman has done nothing but impress me everytime I get the opportunity to see him in Grapefruit League action. This big man is no slouch with the lumber, he can hit.

The 6’5″ Ohlman is batting .250 with a .958 OPS with 4 hits and 5 runs batted in in 16 spring at-bats. Ohlman is tied with four other players with 2 round trippers this spring. The 26-year old split time between Double-A and Triple-A last season for the St.Louis Cardinals batting .287 with 7 home runs in 78 games.

Ohlman was drafted in the 11th round of the 2009 amateur draft by the Baltimore Orioles.  The backstop is a career .264 minor league hitter with 56 home runs in 722 professional games. Ohlman has also played 42 games at first base starting 13 of them during his career.

The native of Bradenton, Florida will presumably take his tools of ignorance to Buffalo and start the season with the Bisons as Jarrod Saltalamacchia is the odds-on favorite to back up Russell Martin. Ohlman should be the first option called upon if an injury should arise with the big club behind the dish.

Get to know Mike Ohlman as you will be seeing him at some point in 2017.