Blue Jays Spring Training Updates

I don’t like to read much into early spring numbers. I remember watching Travis Snider start one spring hitting great and thinking ‘this is his year’. Well, I’m still waiting for his year. I’d imagine there isn’t a lot of correlation between early spring numbers and season numbers.

But let’s take a look at some of the guys having a nice start to the spring. We’ll limit to players who have had a reasonable number of at bats.

Kevin Pillar

Pillar started the spring very hot, he was 7 for his first 8 at bats. Now he has .471/.500/.765 with 2 doubles and a home run. And he has a walk! Last year, he came into camp talking about getting on base, taking more pitches. This year there was less of that, but he has said he’d like to be more consistent. He’s 29 now, it’s time for a career year.

Roemon Fields

He’s had 13 at bats in 10 games, but hitting .462/.500/.769, with a double and a homer. It’s a good chance for him to make an impression on the front office. No way he makes the team, but never hurts to make the manager like you.

Curtis Granderson

Curtis hit a home run in his first at bat of the spring. He’s hitting .333/.444/1.067 with 3 home runs. That’s a good way to make an impression on your new team.

Randal Grichuk

Randal is hitting .333/.375/.467, with 2 doubles and a walk. And he’s made some nice catches in the outfield. I think we’ll like him on defense.

Devon Travis

Hitting .333/.412/.533 with a homer and 2 walks. He’s only played in 5 of the 13 games, but he’s had 15 at bats, which is about what most of the regulars have had. The couple of games I’ve been able to watch, he seems like he’s not limping, playing good defense. I’d imagine he’ll get a couple of days off a week when the season starts, even if he’s 100% healthy.

Dwight Smith Jr.

Buffalo’s outfielders are having a good camp. .286/.375/.714, with 2 home runs, 2 walks and a steal. A little competition between the guys in the Buffalo outfield is a good thing.

Anthony Alford

Anthony is hitting .278/.263/.611 with a double, triple and home run and a steal. I’d be ok with a walk or two, but I like guys swinging early in the spring, to get their timing.

Dalton Pompey

Adding him, even though his numbers aren’t that great, .286/.333/.357, with a double and a walk and 2 steals, but he also reached base 3 times by error.

Pitchers

Deck McGuire

Deck’s had 4 appearances, he’s pitched 6 innings, allowed 3 hits, with 1 walk and 7 strikeouts. He’s making a good first impression.

Marco Estrada

Marco’s had 2 starts, 4 innings, allowed just 1 hit, no walks with 4 strikeouts. He’s been looking good.

Chad Girodo

Chad’s had 4 appearances, 4 innings, 1 hit, no walks and 4 strikeouts. He’s been better than the others in the battle for the second lefty job, but it’s just 4 innings.

Al Alburquerque

He’s been in 4 games, pitched 3.2, allowed 3 hits and 1 homer, his only earned run, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts. Walks have been his problem, so I’m taking it as a hopeful sign that he’s only allowed one.