Blue Jays Quick Hits: Jordan Groshans, Steve Pearce and More

Blue Jays news and notes from June 24th, 2018, including an update on a first round pick and the return of a veteran utilityman.

Groshans Slugging in GCL

Blue Jays first-round pick Jordan Groshans, who is currently playing for the GCL Blue Jays of the Gulf Coast League, is on fire in his first month of professional baseball. The GCL Blue Jays, who play their home games in Dunedin, are currently in second place of the Northwest Division.

For the season, Groshans has slashed a monster .438/.571/.875 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 16 at-bats. He has one double and has struck out three times. Although the season is still young, he’s in the top ten league-wide in OPS, hits, RBI (league leader), total bases, OBP, home runs and walks.

Pearce Back at it Again

Since returning from the DL, Steve Pearce has gone 4-for-6 with 3 RBI and four hits, including a go-ahead three-run shot in the ninth inning of Saturday’s game against the Angels. Overall, he’s been worth a 0.514 WPA and has a (small sample size) slugging percentage of 1.333 since his return.

On the season, he’s slashing .306/.359/.556 with four homers and 16 runs batted in. He has six doubles and has struck out 11 times in 78 plate appearances.

Breslow Rehabs in Florida

According to Baseball Toronto’s Keegan Matheson on Twitter, veteran reliever Craig Breslow, who has been on the DL since early May, is just starting to rehab with the GCL Blue Jays. Prior to his DL placement, he’d pitched to a 7.50 ERA in New Hampshire over 6.0 innings, appearing in nine games.

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Breslow, 37, was signed by the Jays this spring on a minor league contract. Following a disappointing spring training, Breslow was told he would not make the team, at which point he was released and then re-signed by the team to a minor league deal on April 2nd.

Noda Heating Up in Lansing

Blue Jays outfield/first base prospect Ryan Noda has been quietly putting together an excellent campaign with the Lansing Lugnuts. In 260 plate appearances this season, he’s slashed .267/.450/.508 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI. He’s stolen eight bases and has 14 doubles.

Noda, 22, was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 15th round of the 2017 MLB Draft and has also spent some time with the Bluefield Blue Jays of the Appalachian League.

Donaldson’s Still on the Shelf

According to Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com, Josh Donaldson will remain on the disabled list for another week. Donaldson, who has been sidelined for almost a month with a calf injury, won’t join the team until June 29th. When asked whether or not Donaldson would join the team for the upcoming series against Houston, John Gibbons said: “I wouldn’t think so, but I don’t know for sure”.

On the season, Donaldson is slashing a measly .234/.333/.423 with five home runs in just 36 games, logging just 159 plate appearances in an injury-riddled campaign.

Next: Blue Jays place Aaron Sanchez on the disabled list