Blue Jays: 5 Positive Takeaways from the 2017 Season

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 10: Marcus Stroman
SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 10: Marcus Stroman /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 03: Josh Donaldson
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 03: Josh Donaldson /

Josh Donaldson Is Back In MVP Form

Josh Donaldson battled a nagging calf for the most part of the first half of the season, the nagging injury saw the slugger sidelined and an obvious dip in his offensive production. The former MVP did not miss anything in the month of August and salvaged his season and gave everyone confidence that JD will be his former self as the 2018 season kicks off.

If the Jays are going to contend next season Donaldson has to be the driving force behind the offence and his surging second half is a positive step in the right direction. In 46 first half games Donaldson only connected for 9 homers but in 49 second half games, the hot corner specialist has slugged 16 round trippers.

On the season Donaldson is batting .254/.378/.519 with 25 home runs and 64 runs batted in through 95 games. The 31-year old Donaldson is arbitration eligible for the final time this offseason before hitting the free agent market in 2019. Who knows how that will play out as J.D. is undoubtedly going to demand a king’s ransom and the Jays have Vladdy Jr. waiting in the wings in 2019.

However, the Jays have said they want to compete next season and Donaldson will be an integral part of the team if that happens. Glad to see him end the season on a positive power note.

Next: Toronto Blue Jays prospects who dominated in 2017