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Player projections for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022

By Travis Aylward

Sep 29, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (left) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (front) in the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (left) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (front) in the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite the Toronto Blue Jays falling short of reaching the playoffs in 2021, there is a great deal of optimism for this team heading into the 2022 campaign. Let’s outline some projections for the Blue Jays in the upcoming season.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hits 50+ home runs

After coming off a stellar 2021 campaign that saw him blast 48 long-balls and come in second in American League MVP voting, predicting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to hit 50+ home runs might seem kind of obvious. But, when you take a deeper look at his statistics, you can see that he cooled off mightily in the second half of the season – especially, once the team returned to the Rogers Centre.

From the start of the season to July 30th, when the team returned to Toronto, Guerrero had hit 33 homeruns. From that point to the rest of the season, he hit only 15 more homeruns. FanGraphs currently projects the Blue Jays first basemen to hit 43 homeruns next season. With Guerrero Jr’s unbelievable power that us Blue Jay fans have become accustomed to seeing, I could see him hitting 50+.

There is a great deal of optimism for the Blue Jays heading into the 2022 campaign. Let’s outline some predictions for this team in the upcoming season.

Bo Bichette joins the 30/30 club

Coming off a season where he stole 25 bases and belted 29 long-balls, expect Bo Bichette to take a leap next year and join the 30/30 club. Only 43 players in the history of Major League Baseball have ever stole 30 bases and hit 30 homeruns. I expect Bo Bichette to become the 44th next season.

Next. Three FA Infielders the Blue Jays could sign for bench depth. dark

Kevin Gausman throws 200 Innings

Kevin Gausman was the Blue Jays prized free-agent acquisition this offseason, inking him to a five-year, $110M deal in December (prior to the lockout). Gausman has spent the past two seasons as a member of the San Francisco Giants where he performed terrific. Last season, Gausman came 6th in NL CY Young voting and 21st in NL MVP voting.

His career high in innings pitched was also accomplished last season where the hurler threw 192 innings. Gausman is going to try and show the Blue Jays why they signed him to a massive contract and I’m anticipating him to toss 200 innings or more this season. No Blue Jays pitcher has accomplished this feat since Marcus Stroman in 2016 and 2017.

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