The Toronto Blue Jays showed their XBH power on Thursday, tallying 2 home runs and a triple in their 5-4 triumph over the Detroit Tigers. Toronto claimed their fourth victory of Spring Training due to key performances from new faces. As the Blue Jays inch towards Opening Day, each game is a crucial opportunity for players to prove their worth to Toronto’s coaching staff and front office. Thursday had no shortage of players taking advantage of their chances.
Young Pitchers Headline 5-4 Victory
Bowden Francis
There is no question that Bowden Francis is looking to seal the SP5 slot in Toronto’s rotation for 2024. The young righty had an efficient day on Thursday, striking out 5 batters while tallying 7 swings-and-misses over 3.2 IP. The four-seam fastball sat around 93 MPH (maxing out at 95.8 MPH) while also registering 6 whiffs.
Francis has recently added a splitter to his repertoire and it saw some action today. However, his command on the splitter seemed less than stellar, as it either caught too much of the plate (Parker Meadows 1st AB) or was simply thrown wildly (HBP to Mark Canha). Either way, it’s still in the developmental stage and should be an important pitch moving forward for Francis, especially against lefties.
Overall Line: 3.2 IP, ER, 5 K, 1 BB, 7 Whiffs
Nate Pearson
Nate Pearson was another player who impressed during his lone inning of work against the Detroit Tigers. The 27-year-old fireballer struck out 2 of the 3 batters he faced. Pearson’s velocity was another sign of optimism, averaging approximately 98 MPH with the four-seamer and topping out at 99.5 MPH. In the 6 swings that the righty forced, 3 of them were whiffs, giving Pearson an impressive 50% whiff% for his inning on Thursday.
With Pearson’s early struggles in Spring Training, specifically with the long ball, an outing like this is certainly encouraging. Also, the reliever’s recent addition of a splitter should complement his four-seam fastball really well as he gets more reps with the pitch. The splitter’s progress is another key point in Pearson’s development as he attempts to seal his spot on the 26-man roster.
Overall Line: 1.0 IP, 2 K
Outstanding Offensive Performances
Cavan Biggio
After being plagued by injuries at the beginning of camp, Cavan Biggio finally made his spring debut on Thursday. In his first plate appearance, Biggio worked a walk against Tigers SP Kenta Maeda. The lefty took some tough splitters that were an inch off the plate, but then again, that’s who Cavan Biggio is. This keen eye at the dish was one of the main reasons why Biggio had such a poor 2022 season.
If Biggio can mix his elite plate discipline with the .710 OPS season he had in 2023, Blue Jays fans could see him return to being a quality option offensively at the bottom of the lineup. As the utility man continues to see action in spring, it’s definitely realistic that Biggio could be sharing time with Isiah Kiner-Falefa at 3B, while also getting some reps at 2B when Davis Schneider is in the outfield. Considering Kiner-Falefa’s lowly career 80 wRC+ against righties, manager John Schneider could favour Cavan Biggio, given his career 106 wRC+ in the same category.
Overall Line: 1-2, BB
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Speaking of Isiah Kiner-Falefa, he had a solid day at the dish and on the basepaths against Detroit. The 3B roped a 103 MPH single in the 2nd frame on a poorly-located slider from Kenta Maeda, starting him off 1-1. Then, “IKF” did the complete opposite, slapping a 52 MPH infield hit that scored Daulton Varsho. To cap it all off, the utility man stole second base pretty easily. Overall, it was a productive day for Isiah Kiner-Falefa against the Detroit Tigers.
Overall Line: 2-3, R, RBI
Daniel Vogelbach
Daniel Vogelbach continued his reign of Spring Training terror, crushing a home run against left-hander Andrew Chafin. After getting ahead 3-1 against Chafin, “Vogey” received a 91 MPH four-seam fastball belt-high that the slugger crushed 104.8 MPH off the bat for a solo shot. This dinger would end up being the difference in the ballgame for Toronto. Vogelbach’s Spring Training OPS is now up to a whopping 1.233 mark. With the lefty continuing to show his power in spring, it is very possible that Blue Jays fans see Vogelbach’s famed home run trots throughout the 2024 regular season.
Overall Line: 1-3, R, HR, RBI
Kevin Kiermaier
Finally, Kevin Kiermaier had an ideal performance at the dish on Thursday. Kiermaier took an 87 MPH fastball from Kenta Maeda and clobbered it 405 FT to right field. This 106 MPH dinger put Toronto on the board in the 2nd frame. After seeing the 4x Gold Glover show his power in Thursday’s contest, there is plenty of optimism that this uncharacteristic slugging from Kiermaier can continue in 2024.
Overall Line: 1-3, R, HR, RBI
Honourable Mention: Eduardo Escobar
Eduardo Escobar tallied his first hit of 2024 and as a Toronto Blue Jay, slapping a 342 FT triple to left field that fell just out of the reach of left fielder Mark Canha. Perhaps this is a sign of things to come for Escobar and maybe he can seal a spot on Toronto’s roster with a strong second-half of Spring Training.
Overall Line: 1-3, 3B, RBI
The Importance of Depth
The Toronto Blue Jays have been able to gain an accurate idea on the plethora of depth that is available to them in regards to Spring Training thus far. With Alek Manoah’s shoulder injury seemingly worsening (per TSN), the emergence of Bowden Francis is crucial. While lots of questions are beginning to be solved in regards to the depth chart, there are still plenty that are remaining. As Spring Training continues along, the answers to these lingering dilemmas will become much clearer.