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Blue Jays: Five Surprise Players in Spring Training
Jose Bautista
Joey Bats is back and back with a vengeance, I would be remiss to omit Jose Bautista from the list after many people had written the slugger off after an injury-riddled 2016. The Bat Flip King was putting up video game numbers before leaving for the World Baseball Classic Tourney.
The slugger was batting a team-leading .563 with a 1.674 OPS in 18 at bats. Bautista has 9 hits including 2 doubles, 2 walks, 2 home runs and 6 runs batted in so far in Grapefruit League action.
Bautista also hit .333 with 6 hits and a home run in 5 games for the Dominican Republic contingent at the WBC. The outfielder sat out the elimination game for precautionary measures with a stiff back, however, is expect to be back in action with the Jays this week.
The 36-year old appears poised to return to his old home run swatting form after struggling last season due to a couple ill-timed freak injuries. The Blue Jays offense needs a Bautista resurgence to compensate for a certain first baseman who left via free agency during the offseason.
Bautista’s spring performance tops the list of pleasant surprises but then again nobody should ever question the abilities he possesses or his knack for coming through in the clutch.
Expect big things from a healthy Mr. Bautista in 2017.