Blue Jays: The leadoff spot is definitely up for grabs right now

Dalton Pompey

The third player that Montoyo talked about on Friday is Dalton Pompey, who remains on the 40 man roster and in the conversation for a spot on the team come Opening Day.

Unlike McKinney, Pompey is out of minor league options and will need to make the team out of Spring Training if the Blue Jays hope to retain him. His career has been marred by injuries and disappointment so far, but there’s enough upside to think that another team would be interested in having a look, and enough incentive for the 26 year old to see opportunity elsewhere if it’s not going to come in Toronto.

Montoyo mentioned that he likes Pompey’s tools, which is always what has made him enticing as a lineup option in Toronto. He’s well known for his speed and ability on the base paths, something we saw him utilized for during the playoff runs in 2015-16, and that would play well at the top of the lineup. He’s also a switch-hitter, so in theory the Blue Jays could have more lineup stability and avoid a platoon situation at the top of the lineup card, assuming he’s performing from both sides of the plate of course.

Pompey also has the same uphill battle in left field that faces McKinney, and playing time is going to be hard to come by. They’ll have to compete for starts with the players I mentioned on the last slide, as well as potential pressure from other minor leaguers like Jonathan Davis, Anthony Alford, Dwight Smith Jr. and maybe others.

If you add it all up it doesn’t look like there’s much of a chance for Pompey to get the call in Toronto this year, however, there’s a reason he’s still on the 40 man roster. Perhaps that’s because the Blue Jays want to shop him this spring rather than letting him go for nothing, and that’s why they’re planning on giving him an extensive showcase in Dunedin.

However, it’s also possible that he’s got a real chance to claim some of that playing time in left field, and the idea of fielding an outfield that includes him, Pillar, and Grichuk could be a real defensive asset. Here’s hoping that Pompey gets a legitimate shot at a roster opportunity, because he’s probably the best option we’ve talked about so far.