Just when you thought Morin could not become any more of the workhorse for this team, he now comes into the 2017 season as the only catcher on the roster. In years past, this might not be a problem with the team playing strictly single games a few times a week. Now that the Jays have entered the Boys of Summer League, that type of schedule is no longer the case.
Morin finished last season with a .256 batting average and .333 on base percentage. His five doubles were tied for the team lead with Fauvell. His name was always smacked right in the middle of the lineup every single night, whether it was in the four, five, or six spot.
His role in 2017 will obviously be to be behind the plate as often as possible, but catching a doubleheader in the summer heat is not an ideal situation for anyone. With the help of Morin, the Jays can develop a second reliable catcher on the roster, whether it is Fauvell or Wanderlingh or a third party that has not surfaced just yet.
The preferred scenario for Morin is to have his bat in the lineup each and every game. The scenario is to have him behind the plate for as many innings possible. Finally, that scenario will give him a breather to DH or EH for game two or whenever realistic. The problem with a breather is that Morin is also the second string first baseman behind Prinzivalli as of today, making it very unclear at the moment where rest is going to be realistic for the third year Blue Jay.
The positive in all of this is Morin's work ethic and passion to play every day. He does not want to ever be taken out of the lineup for rest. Even though his body might tell him otherwise, he wants to help this ball club win games every night. He wants to be out there every inning of every game.
The Blue Jays have to deal with this situation right away as they begin their season with a Memorial Day tournament, consisting of playing four games in two days. Head Coach, Joe Wanderlingh, will be looking to give his catcher some kind of schedule to get accustomed to, and communication will be the key to success out of this situation.
Morin is needed for this team to operate, making him the most valuable player heading into the 2017 season.
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
#23 Jason Moser
After a bit of a slow start to the 2016 campaign, Jason Moser found his rhythm and never looked back. His efficiency and ball control allows him to go deep into games, as he very rarely needs to be removed from the game due to a high pitch count.
He finished the season 3-3 with a 1.92 ERA, striking out thirty-five in 47.1 innings pitched. His thirty-five strikeouts were tied for second most on the team, and his 47.1 innings pitched were third highest on the Jays.
Moser became a part of a three-headed monster of a starting rotation with teammates, Fauvell and McArdle, as he delivered time and time again for his club when they needed him most.
In nine starts and ten appearances on the mound, Moser never hit a single batter, and only allowed thirteen earned runs. Moser did not get the greatest help behind him when he pitched, as his seven unearned runs charged to him were tied with Dobkowski for most on the team.
When asked to hit, Jason took his hacks as he managed to drive in a couple of runs in fifteen plate appearances, and managed to get on base a couple of times as well.
Similar to hitting, Moser held his own when asked to play right field, as he did not record a single error in his eighteen total chances between the mound and the outfield.
One of nine players returning from a year ago, and one of eight players here since the beginning, Moser will play a big role in 2017, as he is a great contributor to this dominant Jays pitching staff. Whether in a starting role or a bullpen role, Jason will be given plenty of opportunity to leave his mark on the upcoming season.
He finished the season 3-3 with a 1.92 ERA, striking out thirty-five in 47.1 innings pitched. His thirty-five strikeouts were tied for second most on the team, and his 47.1 innings pitched were third highest on the Jays.
Moser became a part of a three-headed monster of a starting rotation with teammates, Fauvell and McArdle, as he delivered time and time again for his club when they needed him most.
In nine starts and ten appearances on the mound, Moser never hit a single batter, and only allowed thirteen earned runs. Moser did not get the greatest help behind him when he pitched, as his seven unearned runs charged to him were tied with Dobkowski for most on the team.
When asked to hit, Jason took his hacks as he managed to drive in a couple of runs in fifteen plate appearances, and managed to get on base a couple of times as well.
Similar to hitting, Moser held his own when asked to play right field, as he did not record a single error in his eighteen total chances between the mound and the outfield.
One of nine players returning from a year ago, and one of eight players here since the beginning, Moser will play a big role in 2017, as he is a great contributor to this dominant Jays pitching staff. Whether in a starting role or a bullpen role, Jason will be given plenty of opportunity to leave his mark on the upcoming season.
#21 John Schmidt
John Schmidt had another stellar defensive season, as he has become the clear cut leader of the outfield. Schmidt had just ONE error in fifty-three total chances. Now what you might not know is the impact John Schmidt made in the infield once Wanderlingh went down with injury.
Schmidt was thrown into the fire for the playoff push and the postseason, responsible for playing a bulk of the final innings for the Jays in 2016 at shortstop and third base. Being an everyday center fielder for his club, Schmidt saw time every now and then at second base. However, he never saw the other side of the infield. His contribution to this team defensively plays a huge role in the two championships that have been won.
#21 proved he could do it all as he even managed to pick up a win on the mound, throwing two scoreless innings in his first start in a Blue Jays uniform.
Offensively, 2015 was an MVP type season for Schmidt. In 2016, he worked his way in and out of slumps, finishing the season with an even .200 batting average and .301 on base percentage. His ability to get on base with his speed still earned him second place on the team in runs scored with twenty-two.
Schmidt swiped eight bases in 2016, as his speed and his ability to put the ball in play consistently (only ten strikeouts in one-hundred and seven plate appearances) kept his name in the lineup each and every night.
Expect another solid year in 2017, both defensively and getting on base offensively, as the most interesting thing to watch early on in the summer with Schmidt is where his name will be in the lineup.
Schmidt was thrown into the fire for the playoff push and the postseason, responsible for playing a bulk of the final innings for the Jays in 2016 at shortstop and third base. Being an everyday center fielder for his club, Schmidt saw time every now and then at second base. However, he never saw the other side of the infield. His contribution to this team defensively plays a huge role in the two championships that have been won.
#21 proved he could do it all as he even managed to pick up a win on the mound, throwing two scoreless innings in his first start in a Blue Jays uniform.
Offensively, 2015 was an MVP type season for Schmidt. In 2016, he worked his way in and out of slumps, finishing the season with an even .200 batting average and .301 on base percentage. His ability to get on base with his speed still earned him second place on the team in runs scored with twenty-two.
Schmidt swiped eight bases in 2016, as his speed and his ability to put the ball in play consistently (only ten strikeouts in one-hundred and seven plate appearances) kept his name in the lineup each and every night.
Expect another solid year in 2017, both defensively and getting on base offensively, as the most interesting thing to watch early on in the summer with Schmidt is where his name will be in the lineup.
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