Blue Jays skipper anoints Danny Jansen starting catcher

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 4: Kevin Kiermaier #39 of the Tampa Bay Rays slides across home plate to score a run on a fielders choice groundout in the second inning during MLB game action as Danny Jansen #9 of the Toronto Blue Jays waits for the throw at Rogers Centre on September 4, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 4: Kevin Kiermaier #39 of the Tampa Bay Rays slides across home plate to score a run on a fielders choice groundout in the second inning during MLB game action as Danny Jansen #9 of the Toronto Blue Jays waits for the throw at Rogers Centre on September 4, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo anointed backstop Danny Jansen the everyday catcher for the 2019 season.

Not that it was an earth-shattering revelation, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo spoke to the media yesterday and confirmed that rookie Danny Jansen will see the lion’s share of the work behind the dish in 2019.

According to Montoyo, Luke Maille will oversee the backup duties while Reese McGuire will be afforded some further seasoning in Triple-A Buffalo. This seemed like the most logical of decisions following the offseason trade of Russell Martin to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

McGuire who is known for his defence behind the plate has struggled in limited action this spring hitting .133 in 15 at-bats while the light-hitting Maille has also not impressed with the stick thus far hitting .111 in 18 spring at-bats.

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Jansen got his feet wet last season and impressed on both sides of the diamond. In 31 games, the 23-year old hit .247/.347/.432 with 20 hits including six doubles and three home runs in 95 plate appearances. Thus far this spring, Jansen is hitting .304 in 23 at-bats in Grapefruit League action play.

The rookie catcher has seen his stock rise in the fantasy world as well, Jansen is ranked in the Top 10 among MLB catchers in most fantasy publications. Yahoo Sports has the Blue Jays backstop tabbed 8th on their preseason rankings.

The skipper has yet to name who the backstops Opening Day batterymate will be but If I was a betting man, I would lean toward Marcus Stroman to get the ball. Both Stroman and Aaron Sanchez have impressed in their last couple visits to the mound but it is anyone’s guess who Montoyo will lean on for the start.

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The Jays have won their last eight Grapefruit League contests as a result of solid pitching and the long ball. Jansen figures to be one of the main cogs in the offence moving forward in 2019 especially now that it is confirmed he will get more than his share of opportunities.