Blue Jays: Joe Panik Makes Opening Day Roster

Joe Panik has been informed by the Toronto Blue Jays that he will be on the clubs 26-man roster when the season starts next Thursday against the New York Yankees.

Scott Mitchell from TSN tweeted out that Panik, who could opt out of his contract this past Thursday was not exercising it as he was told he would be on the opening day roster.

Panik signed a minor league deal with Toronto with an invite to camp this past February and made the most of the opportunity.  At that plate he went 8 for 27 (.296) with no extra base hits, however, struck out just once while collecting two walks.

Panik was a serviceable utility infielder for the Blue Jays in 2020 as he played at least 70 innings at each of second base, third base and short stop and made just one error.  At the plate he had one home run in 120 at bats while posting a .225 batting average.  Panik is a former All-Star and Gold Glove award winner, however, those accolades now date back a half decade ago.

More from Jays Journal

• Matt Chapman has been exactly what the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: The goalposts are moving in the right direction
• Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays advance to the Championship Series
• Blue Jays: Comparisons for Alek Manoah’s Second Season
• Blue Jays: Adam Cimber, the unlikely decision King

With Panik joining the 26-man roster it means things get very tight for a couple of players looking to also make it past opening day.  Including Panik, positional players that are a lock to make the team comes to 11, with an additional spot being either Alejandro Kirk or Reese McGuire which takes them to 12.  There are scenarios where a team may take 13 position players, but are unlikely to take 14.  That potentially leaves Santiago Espinal and Jonathan Davis both battling for the remaining spot.  Both were impressive in limited appearances last year and have done well during in Spring Training.  Davis has shown great ability to cover the outfield while going 10 for 31 (.323) at the plate with three extra base hits and stealing three bases.  Espinal has shown that he has a lot of gap power in his bat and has one upped Davis by going 10 for 26 (.385) with four extra base hits.

The Blue Jays already have four outfielders that will be on the roster so that may leave Davis the odd man out, but he is also the best defensive outfielder.  Espinal has a little more versatility and has played the outfield in the minor leagues, albeit in very limited situations.

I’m anxious to see what the final opening day roster looks like, as I feel both Espinal and Davis bring a more valuable component to the 2021 Toronto Blue Jays than Joe Panik.