Blue Jays: Five Players Who Need to Have Career Years

Feb 24, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; A general view of the official 2016 Spring Training grapefruit league baseball on the field as the Toronto Blue Jays work out at Bobby Mattick Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; A general view of the official 2016 Spring Training grapefruit league baseball on the field as the Toronto Blue Jays work out at Bobby Mattick Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 20, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) throws a pitch during the spring training workout at the Bobby Mattix Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2017; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman (6) throws a pitch during the spring training workout at the Bobby Mattix Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

 Marcus Stroman

The “Stro-Show” has had a spring for the ages leading Team USA to the World Baseball Classic championship title while also earning MVP honors due of his clutch performance on the International stage in the final contest.

Marcus Stroman stands at 5’8″ but he displays a larger than life persona and thrives for the ball in the big games. In saying that, Stroman had a disappointing 2016 campaign and did not live up to expectations last season. To put his campaign into perspective Stroman sported an earned run average of 4.37 while R.A. Dickey earned a similar ERA of 4.46.

If Stroman can find a way to put it all together in 2017 the Blue Jays rotation will be one of the most heralded in all the majors. If healthy and productive the likes of Stroman teamed with Sanchez, Estrada, Liriano and Happ are second to none. The sky is the limit for this rotation.

The 25-year old has all the makings of a staff ace and if his performance at the WBC is any indication, a breakout season is in the not so distant horizon. Last season was the first time Stroman surpassed 130 innings of work as he threw 204 during the regular season and another 11.1 in the postseason.

One thing is for sure, I would not be betting against Stroman in 2017, get ready for the “Stro-Show” to come to a stadium near you.