Center fielder George Springer has played just four games in a Blue Jays uniform since signing a six-year 150-million-dollar-deal with Toronto in the offseason.In those four games -- all as the designated hitter -- Springer slashed
Bradley Chubb Jersey .200/.294/.600, with a boost in his power numbers thanks to a two-home run night at TD Ballpark against the Atlanta Braves.But Springer's been bothered by injuries all season. First the oblique i sue and now a quad strain has kept him out of action since May 2.The Blue Jays lineup has done just fine without him -- hitting 84 home runs (third in MLB) and posting a .762 OPS (second in MLB) -- but the addition of a bat like Springer's could shoot Toronto to the very top of most offensive statistics.Springer is "very close" to beginning a rehab a signment, per general manager Ro s Atkins. Springer is running the bases, doing outfield drills at full speed and traveled with the team
Brian Dawkins Jersey for its most recent road trip to Chicago.His return is likely weeks away, but as Springer inches closer to a return to play,let's look at where he might slide into the Blue Jays batting order.The case for the lead-off spotThis seems to be the most likely spot for him. Springer hit leadoff in all four games this year -- despite barely being able to run -- which gives the impre sion that Montoyo likes him there.In his eight-year career, Springer has taken 78% of his at-bats out of the leadoff spot He's done mighty fine too, slashing .277/.365/.501 when he sits atop the lineup.Scroll to ContinueIn an ordinary lineup, this
John Elway Jersey looks like a no-brainer. But here's the dilemma, Marcus Semien has been outstanding as Toronto's leadoff man. Since May 1, Semien has hit .351 with eight home runs, a 1.066 OPS and picked up the in the proce s.Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said he's been thinking about who will take over the top spot once Springer is back."Semien is doing a good job as the leadoff," Montoyo
Denver Broncos Home Office said recently. "That conversation is gonna come up and we'll see where we go from here."The case for No. 2, No. 3, or anywhere elseSpringer could hit in the two or three-spot it would seem, since has the clean-up position locked up.The three spot you say? Wouldn't it be nuts to move Vladimir Guerrero Jr. out of a spot he's had so much succe s in?Well, perhaps, but Guerrero Jr. is sporting a league-best .441 OBP. Imagine the damage a healthy Springer could do with a man on base in nearly half his at-bats. Again, it's a win-win no matter where you put him.Who moves down?Bo Bichette would be the likeliest candidate to drop down the order. It's certainly not that Bichette isn't a good hitter, he just hasn't been killing baseballs at the outrageous clip we've come to expect from him
Tom Jackson Jersey .His .788 OPS in 2021 is well below the .885 OPS he boasted in his first two major league seasons and he's said on multiple occasions he doesn't feel "locked in" at the plate just yet. Bichette couldalso benefit from le s pre sure as he shifts down the order.However the lineup unfolds, a top five featuring Springer, Semien, Guerrero Jr., Hernandez and Bichette gives Toronto one of the most fearsome orders in baseball.
In Major League Baseball spring training, there's a player who is hitting the absolutely cover off the baseball in a five-game sample size.The aforementioned player, in 13 at-bats, has eight hits. His .615 batting average is accompanied by a 1.385 SLG and an OPS of 2.000. He has a pair of doubles, a triple, two home runs and four RBIs thus far. By some accounts and measurements, he's been the best spring training player in all of baseball.That player is Kansas City Royals outfielder Edward Olivares.Olivares, who has just over an entire year of MLB service time under his belt, is entering his age-26 season. He's no longer the young prospect with
Lyle Alzado Jersey pop in his bat and potential that can allow teams to turn a blind eye to his defensive shortcomings. He's a player on the verge of his athletic prime who's had a few cups of coffee in the major leagues, yet he's also a player who has yet to stand out when given the chance to do so. Time is running out. With the Royals, though, he hasn't always gotten a fair shake.Take last season for example. In 39 games with the Royals, Olivares posted a .238/.291/.406 line, good for an OPS under .700 and a wRC+ of 88. Those numbers, combined with well below average (and po sibly just flat-out ) defense in the outfield, didn't paint the picture of a player ready for a bigger role.
John Elway T Shirts On the flip side, he never saw the field for an extended or consistent period of time. Olivares traveled between Omaha and Kansas City countle s times in 2021, making it difficult for him to settle into a groove. Another problem that presents itself is that he's too good for minor league pitching when he settle in.Scroll to ContinueIn 66 games with the Storm Chasers in 2021, Olivares was magnificent. He hit .313 with a .559 SLG and a scorching 155 wRC+. He increased his walk rate to 9.9% the highest it had been since his time in High-A with the Toronto Blue Jays organization in 2017. He also lowered his strikeout rate to 15.8%, which was the lowest it had been since rookie ball in 2014. 15 home runs and a video game-like .246 ISO in 292 plate appearances made Olivares' power look obvious, but he was also simply good in general. He appeared to be ready for something more challenging.This spring, facing the biggest make-or-break point of his baseball career, Olivares looks different. He's locked in, hitting the ball extremely well and even appears to be more comfortable in the outfield. Not only is he
Andrew Beck Jersey embracing a ma sive challenge, but he's rising to the occasion.Can he keep this up? The easy answer is no, as the astronomical numbers will inevitably come way down as spring training ensues. Can Olivares continue to play quality baseball, though? Absolutely. If his improvements are real, there's no reason to suggest he isn't capable of performing at the plate and becoming at least an adequate defender. The power has never been in question, and he's shown in the minor leagues that he's too good for that. Is he good enough for a long-term role with the Royals? That remains to be seen, and all he can do is control what he can control.Michael A. Taylor and Andrew Benintendi are projected to take up quite a few innings in the outfield. There's little reason for Benintendi to be anything other than an everyday starter and while Taylor's production at the plate is anemic, he's one of the best defenders in the sport.
DeMarcus Ware Jersey The Royals value that a ton.With a potential infield of Bobby Witt Jr., Adalberto Mondesi and Nicky Lopez occupying third base, shortstop and second base on a semi-regular basis, that leaves, Whit Merrifield playing in right field. After all of that, primarily, Kyle Isbel and Olivares would be competing for reps in either center field or right field. That's a lot to decipher for manager Mike Matheny on a daily basis, so having one or two players make his decision for him would alleviate some of the calculus involved.It's early, as a few bad games in a row could render Olivares' start to the spring unimportant. The more he strings good ones together, though, the harder it makes it for the Royals to send him down to Triple-A and keep him there in 2022. It's the biggest year of his career and
Mark Schlereth Jersey thus far, he's acing the test. It's up to Olivares to do his best to ultimately force the Royals' hand for April and beyond.
Looks like Zack Scott's DWI charge won't be resolved as soon as the Mets initially anticipated.Scott appeared in virtual court before the city of White Plains, New York on Thursday October 7, which resulted in
Jeremiah Attaochu Jersey a non-jury trial set for December 8.The Mets' acting general manager was placed on paid administrative leave after pleading not guilty to drunk-driving, as well as
Breshad Perriman Jersey three le ser charges on September 2.Scroll to ContinueAlthough the Mets declined to comment on Scott's situation earlier today, team president Sandy Alderson previously stated the organization won't speak or act until the case has been resolved.But it is currently
Khalil Herbert Jersey unknown whether Alderson's stance will change now that Scott is scheduled to head to trial in two months.After the Westchester County District Attorney's office refused to offer a plea deal, Scott's counsel requested to move forward with a trial. Scott will have to attend said trial in person.In the early morning of August 31, Scott
Nick Foles Jersey was arrested at 4:17 a.m. when police found him asleep at the wheel at a traffic light. Scott failed field sobriety tests and refused
Chicago Bears Jackets a breathalyzer.For Scott, his time as Mets acting GM is beginning to look bleaker by the day.
