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.
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