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All is sweetness and light in the Blue Jays' spring Training camp, our pitchers are doing well, most of our hitters are slugging. We are 16-4 on the spring, slightly behind the Tigers in winning percentage and slightly ahead of the Oakland A's (if you need an example of spring training records not mattering, the 14-5 mark for the A's should do it for you).
There are a few Jays that aren't hitting great. Let's take a look at some of them and see how worried we are about each.
Jeff Mathis: Jeff is hitting a big .143/.182/.143, one walk, no extra base hits in 21 at bats. It isn't all that much worse than hit .174/.225/.259 line from last season. I'm sure there is a lot of work, going on behind the scenes, to help him with his swing. I'd imagine Dwayne Murphy is talking to him daily, but I'm not expecting magic. There must be some talent in there to bring out, he was on Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list, 4 years running. Maybe the Jays can find a way to bring it out, but it will take more than 3 weeks of spring training.
Ben Francisco: Ben has a .194/.212/.194 line with 1 walk and no extra base hits. I'm not a fan, but Francisco really doesn't have to hit to keep a job on the team. I don't know, I really don't see the point in having him on the team, but I don't get to make the call. The Jays haven't asked him to prove anything to them, and he's not. He's not quite an average defensive outfielder. Ben is this year's Corey Patterson. Hopefully he doesn't get near as many at bats as Corey did.
Rajai Davis: .267/.290/.267, no walks, no extra base hits, 4 stolen bases. Rajai will likely get a bunch of at bats versus lefty pitchers. Davis has a spot on the team, no matter what he hits, since he'll be the backup for Colby in CF, so he can use spring to get everything working. It would make me feel better if he would hit a bit.
Colby Rasmus: .188/.308/.250, 2 doubles, 6 walks and a stolen base in 32 at bats. Since the Jays are working on his swing, we shouldn't expect him to be hitting great right off the start of spring, but it would make us feel better if he started to slug in the last couple of weeks before the season starts. Colby has tonnes of potential. I'm figuring it is a 50/50 chance that he shows it this season.
Adam Lind: Adam is hitting .226/.314/.290, 2 doubles, 3 walks in 31 at bats. Sigh. I don't know what to say. He has a roster spot. It doesn't matter what he hits this spring, or really what he hits during the season, we are pretty much stuck with him, unless Alex comes up with something creative. He's one that really did have to have a good spring to settle my stomach.
Yunel Escobar: Yunel is hitting .235/.316/.353, 4 doubles, 4 walks in 34 at bats. Yunel doesn't worry me in the least.
Whose slow start in spring training worries you?