6 Blue Jays players who put up eye-catching numbers this spring

As the Toronto Blue Jays get set for the start of the regular season this Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays, they had a plethora of players that put together a strong spring in preparation for it. Whether it was just the by-product of battling out for roster spots, or the building up of the right game shape and momentum heading into 2024, it was certainly quite refreshing to see such dominant performances. In doing so, it has given both the Jays and their diehard fans some excitement and hope going forward.

So who were some of these players that impressed throughout training camp? Here, we take a look at six Jays players that managed to put up some eye-popping numbers during the preseason.

George Springer

After having one of his least productive seasons of his career last year, outfielder George Springer was looking to bounce back in a big way to start 2024. In 2023, Springer struggled to a slash line of .258/.327/.405/.732, with just an 102 OPS+, 21 home runs and 72 RBI in 154 games played. On top of that, he hit into an uncharacteristic, career-high 20 double plays that helped snuff out many of the Jays ‘scoring opportunities throughout the season. It made people begin to worry as to whether Father Time has started to catch up to the four-time All-Star.

However, a masterful performance in spring training in which he hit a stellar .415 with a 1.217 OPS, along with 12 runs scored, 3 home runs and 8 RBI has certainly helped put some of that doubt and worry to rest. With the Jays losing many power-hitting run-producers to free agency this offseason, they will look to Springer once again as one of the key players to help lead the offensive attack for the team this coming year. By going into the 2024 season hitting this hot, it is exactly what the doctor ordered. 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. didn’t have as miserable of a season as many had thought last year. After all, he still managed to hit .264 with a .788 OPS, along with 78 runs scored, 30 doubles, 26 home runs and 94 RBI in 156 games played, which were great offensive numbers. But because of the standards that he set during his MVP-calibre season in 2021, he has been compared to that standard ever since, leading to some disappointment as a result. 

Looking for a fresh start to the new year, Guerrero had entered training camp in great shape and has subsequently put up some outstanding numbers as a result. In 15 games, he batted .463 with a 1.218 OPS, with 6 runs scored, 3 home runs and 11 RBI. To put things into perspective, the last time he did this well in the preseason was back in 2021 when he hit .421 with a 1.248 OPS, 9 runs scored, 2 home runs and 10 RBI. So perhaps Guerrero is giving the team a forecast of what is yet to come in 2024, as another MVP-calibre performance could be in the works. For the Jays, they will sure hope that is indeed the case, as they will need him to be on the forefront in leading the charge for the team to have any kind of success this season.

Alejandro Kirk

After having an All-Star breakout season in 2022 when he posted a slash line of .285/.372/.415/.787 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI, Alejandro Kirk fell harshly back down to earth in his encore performance. Last year, he compiled a .250 average, .692 OPS, along with just 34 runs scored, 8 home runs and 43 RBI in 123 games played. As a result, fellow backstop teammate Danny Jansen actually outperformed him to surpass him for the starting role, but his troubles with the injury bug gave Kirk some runway despite his struggles.

With Kirk hoping to redeem himself in 2024, things has gotten off on the right foot for him so far this spring. In 14 games, he has amassed a strong .342 batting average, along with a 1.074 OPS, 7 runs scored, 4 doubles, 3 home runs and 9 RBI. More importantly, he is starting to look like the confident and reliable Kirk of old. That will be crucial for the Jays, as with Jansen starting the season on the injured list, they will need Kirk to be at his best to help carry the load in the meantime.

Ernie Clement

For someone that had been working hard ever since joining the Jays’ organization last season, the hard work and determination has finally paid off for infielder Ernie Clement. After a brief 30-game cameo appearance with the big league team last year in which he batted a stellar .380 with an .885 OPS, 1 home run and 10 RBI, Clement wasn’t going to pass up the distinct opportunity to impress the team once again this spring that easily.

In 17 games of action, he put his offensive flair on full display by posting a gaudy .362 average and a 1.026 OPS, along with 8 runs scored, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 8 RBI and a pair of stolen bases to boot. He also demonstrated strong plate discipline and ball contact, walking only twice and striking out only once in 47 total at-bats. His impressive showing gave the Jays no choice but to include him on the Opening Day roster while sacrificing the incumbent defensive stalwart Santiago Espinal to a recent trade with the Cincinnati Reds as a result. Whether in a reserve or starting role, Clement is geared up for a huge season with the big league club.

Paolo Espino

For one of the under-the-radar moves this offseason, Paolo Espino has done everything he can to put himself on the map when it comes to reliable pitching depth in the Jays’ organization. Initially signed to just a minor-league contract with an invite to training camp back in December, Espino has performed way beyond expectations this spring by taking advantage of the most of his opportunities.

In 6 games, including 3 starts, Espino hurled a sparkling 2.65 ERA with a 0.88 WHIP, giving up just 5 earned runs with 2 walks and a whopping 24 strikeouts in just 17 innings of work. The 24 whiffs and 12:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio led the entire team pitching staff. As a result, he may have done enough to force the Jays’ hand in selecting him and adding him to their roster, whether it be for Opening Day or in the not-so-distant future, as he may as well turn out to be this year’s version of Jay Jackson.