4 Blue Jays players who may have peaked in 2023

A season with high expectations has come to an end, and there's plenty of reason to be disappointed in how the Blue Jays performed. While this is a talented roster, there's no getting around the reality they under-performed in 2023.

Simply qualifying for the playoffs is not enough, and you have to imagine there will be some significant changes in Toronto. This team is capable of so much more.

Despite the overall feeling of not playing to their full potential, there are some individuals who went above and beyond. Along these lines, here's a look at four players who may well have peaked this season.

Yusei Kikuchi

When the Blue Jays signed Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $36 million deal ahead of the 2022 campaign, you had to wonder if he had already peaked. Consider his previous season in Seattle, with the Mariners

During the first half of the 2021 season Kikuchi was excellent, leading to his first ever All-Star selection. Through 15 games, he'd produced a 6-3 record, 3.18 ERA and 1.029 WHIP.

However, the situation fell apart for the 32-year-old over the remainder of the season. In the final 14 games, he had a 1-6 record, 6.22 ERA and 1.743 WHIP.

Any hope for Blue Jays fans that they would get the first-half of 2021 edition soon disappeared. He struggled immensely during 2022, as evidenced by a 5.19 ERA, 5.62 FIP and 1.500 WHIP.

As a result, expectations were low for the Japan native entering this past season. So of course, he turned things around with the strongest campaign of his five years in the Majors.

Kikuchi set career bests with 11 wins, a 3.86 ERA and 1.270 WHIP in 32 starts. In a season when Alek Manoah imploded, he proved to be an invaluable fourth option in the rotation.

The southpaw even had the opportunity to see action in the playoffs (albeit only because of the baffling decision to pull José Berríos after just one batter in the fourth inning). Not that it turned out well, as he allowed three hits, a walk and one run in just 1.2 innings.

Ultimately though, it can't take away from what was the best season of Kikuchi's Major League career. However, Blue Jays fans should be prepared for the real possibility he won't be as good in the final year of his contract with the team.

Kevin Gausman

We appreciate any talk of a player peaking is all about perspective. This specifically applies, when it comes to talking about Kevin Gausman.

Some would argue Gausman already peaked, back in 2021. That season saw a trio of firsts, including his inaugural All-Star selection, finishing sixth in NL Cy Young voting and even receiving some MVP recognition.

From a purely statistical point, the 32-year-old had single-season career-bests, with a 5.2 WAR, 14 wins, a 2.81 ERA and 1.042 WHIP. Combined with surpassing 200 strikeouts for the first time, it was no wonder the Blue Jays offered him a five-year, $110 million deal after the 2021 campaign concluded.

Gausman continued to roll during his first season in Toronto, as an excellent number two in the rotation. Highlights included once again surpassing 200 strikeouts, as well as leading the AL with a career-low 2.38 FIP.

However, it was the 2023 season when the 2012 fourth overall draft pick truly established himself, as the Blue Jay staff ace. It was evident from early on he was going to have a strong campaign, as he established himself as a AL Cy Young candidate.

Gausman would eventually tail off as a genuine contender for the Cy Young, but still had an excellent year. He produced a 3.16 ERA, 2.97 FIP and 1.178 WHIP, to go along with an AL-leading and career-high 237 strikeouts.

Unfortunately for the Blue Jays and their fans, the righty couldn't continue his fine form into the playoffs. He allowed a trio of hits, walks and runs in just 4.0 innings versus the Twins in Game 1, with the team going on to lose the series 2-0.

The hope around Toronto is that Gausman has more to give, with there being every chance he will continue to produce next season. However, this is countered by concern that the Blue Jays might have now seen the best that he's capable of, with him only trending in a negative direction moving forward.

Kevin Kiermaier

With Kevin Kiermaier only signing a one-year deal prior to this season, the Blue Jays were always going to get his best effort. However, even they couldn't have anticipated just how good he was going to be.

Kiermaier is statistically regarded as one of the best outfield defenders of all time. He continued in this vein during 2023, to help make the Blue Jays one of the best defences in the Majors.

The three-time Gold Glove Award winner finished second on the Blue Jays with a 2.2 dWAR, his best since 2017. He also finished second among all centre fielders with 18 Defensive Runs Saved.

However, where Kiermaier really stepped it up was with his bat, with him at one point on course for the best offensive season of his 11 years in the Majors. At the end of May, he had a slash line of .319/.365/.521 and a .886 OPS.

The 33-year-old did subsequently cool off a bit, but still had a strong offensive season overall. His batting average was the second-best of his career, while he had his best slugging percentage and OPS since 2017.

One of the biggest travesties was that Kiermaier didn't get selected for his first-ever All-Star Game, despite being entirely worthy. Even allowing for every team needing at least one representative combined with voting often being a popularity contest, something just felt wrong about the snub.

Taking everything into account, it really does seem that the former Tampa Bay Ray peaked in 2023. However, at least the Blue Jays were able to benefit from his experience and excellent play.

As per Kiermaier's message on social media after the Blue Jays were knocked out of the playoffs, it sure seems like he is one-and-done in Toronto. If so, fans can feel satisfied he gave it his all.