Blue Jays’ Danny Jansen makes noise at Futures Game

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Danny Jansen #9 of the Toronto Blue Jays and the U.S. Team rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 15: Danny Jansen #9 of the Toronto Blue Jays and the U.S. Team rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the World Team during the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Nationals Park on July 15, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Blue Jays eventual heir apparent to Russell Martin made some noise on the big stage last night as catcher Danny Jansen hit a two-run homer in the Futures Game for Team USA.

Both Danny Jansen and Bo Bichette represented the Toronto Blue Jays on Team USA as the Americans defeated the World Futures 10-6 in a back and forth affair. The much-anticipated contest was expected to be a pitchers duel however that was not the case as both teams struck for a combined eight round-trippers.

Danny Jansen had two plate appearances and batted seventh while starting the game behind the dish for Team USA. The 23-year old fanned in his first at-bat as Jesus Luzardo got the better of him. However, the young backstop got his revenge in the 4th inning when southpaw Lewis Thorpe entered the game. Jansen quickly deposited a Thorpe offering over the leftfield wall for a two-run blast.

Jansen who in all likelihood will be a September call-up with the big club catapulted to the top of the Blue Jays organizational rankings for backstops last season. He is currently hitting .286/.409/.482 with 63 hits, 8 homers, and 46 ribbies in 65 games with the Jays Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo.

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Bo Bichette had three plate appearances batting second and starting at shortstop for Team USA. Bichette had a single in three trips to the plate and also turned a nifty double play with Brendan Rodgers.

The 20-year old Bichette has come back down to earth statistically hitting a respectable .272/.331/.433 with 8 home runs and 26 stolen bases in 86 games with Double-A New Hampshire. Bichette is still having a great campaign, however, he is just not putting up the video game-like numbers we have grown accustomed to the last few seasons.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would have undoubtedly been in the opposite dugout representing the World Team contingent had he not been on a rehab assignment. Vladdy is expected to join Jansen in Buffalo once activated.

Next: Blue Jays: Trying to sum up the first half of the 2018 season

It is nice to see the young lads doing well on the big stage, the future is definitely bright.