For the first time this Spring Training, the Toronto Blue Jays have won back-to-back games.
On Friday afternoon, the team hosted the New York Yankees in Dunedin, defeating the Bronx Bombers 2-1, which brought their Spring Training record to 5-8.
Let’s take a look at some things worth mentioning…
Things worth mentioning…
Chris Bassitt started the game for the Blue Jays, and posted a line of 4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K. So far this spring, he has a 3.86 ERA in 9.1 innings pitched, or three starts.
As for his velocity, Bassitt averaged 90.4 mph on his sinker, which is 1.5 mph slower than his single velocity in 2023. The best pitch was the slow curveball, as it had four total swings and two whiffs.
Marcus Stroman started the game for the Yankees and had a line of 4 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, no-hitting his former team. Stroman signed a two-year, $37 million deal this off-season, so the Jays will get to face him often in American League East action.
Speaking of former Blue Jays, both Jordan Groshans and Kevin Smith were active during Friday’s game. Groshans pinch-hit for D.J. LeMahieu and went 0-1, while Smith started the game and went 1-2 with a strikeout. Both players were top 10 prospects in the Jays’ organization at certain points.
The Jays didn’t hit much Friday, registering just three total hits. Bo Bichette, Daniel Vogelbach, and Nathan Lukes each had one of the three hits, with Lukes driving in two runners. Both Vogelbach and Lukes are having terrific springs, and it wouldn’t be all too surprising if they made the team.
It was MLB reliever day , as Génesis Cabrera, Yimi García, Tim Mayza, and Jordan Romano all got work after Bassitt was pulled. Together, they allowed just one hit, walked three, and struck out six while allowing no runs. Good stuff.
Mason Fluharty was the only pitching prospect to participate in this game, as he came in to start the top of the ninth. The left-handed pitcher showcased his nasty slider and struck out the side while facing the minimum. I’ve said it before, but Fluharty is gross, and expect him to pitch for Triple-A Buffalo at some point this season.
The Blue Jays return to action on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies. The good news is that top prospect Ricky Tiedemann will make his Spring Training debut against another former Blue Jays starter, Taijuan Walker.
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