7 Blue Jays players taking advantage of their spring training opportunities the most 

OF Daulton Varsho

It may sound perplexing to say Daulton Varsho needs to take advantage this spring to show what he can do offensively, but he is doing exactly that right now. In 10 games so far this spring, Varsho has amassed a solid .364 batting average, .938 OPS, with 4 runs scored, 2 doubles, 7 RBI, and 2 stolen bases. More significantly, he has demonstrated improved plate discipline with 6 walks compared to only one single strikeout to date.

Why is this important for both Varsho and the Jays? It is because heading into 2024, the Jays had plans to utilize Varsho in a potential platoon in the outfield due to his struggles at the plate last year. However, if he can prove that his breakout in spring training is no fluke but instead an actual developmental improvement in his game, it should convince management to give him back his everyday starting status.

P Zach Pop

Zach Pop had his worst season of his career last year with the Jays when he pitched to a 6.59 ERA and gave up 10 earned runs including 4 home runs in just 13.2 innings of work. A right hamstring injury, together with the constant struggles in his performance during his rehab assignment ended up keeping Pop in the minors for the rest of the season, as he lost his place on the big league squad.

Hoping to put his nightmarish season behind him in a quest to regain his spot on the major league roster for 2024, Pop has gotten off to a solid start so far. In 5 appearances, he has yet to give up a single run, along with 4 hits, a couple of walks and 3 strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched. More importantly, he is starting to look like the Pop of old in 2022 where he shined for the Jays down the stretch, pitching to a stellar 1.89 ERA. With spots in the bullpen being up for grabs, Pop appears to have the inside track for one of them if he can keep performing the way he has been.