The Jays lost 9-5 to the Yankees on Sunday afternoon. Let’s take a look at who stood out.
The biggest standout in the game for the Blue Jays was LJ Talley, who hit a mammoth three-run shot to cut the lead in half.
Talley plays third base, second base, and first base (with time in the outfield), and spent time with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Last season, he slashed .264/.338/.419 with 12 homers. However, from July 12th to the end of the season, he slashed .299/.353/.490 with seven of those homers in 224 plate appearances.
It’s also worth noting that Talley hit a home run off a rehabbing Max Scherzer in September, so that’s fun.
Things worth mentioning:
Nate Pearson made his spring training debut, striking out the side but allowing two hits and walking a pair. With that being said, it’s better to look at what someone offers in spring training, and Pearson hitting 101 mph, while showcasing his knuckle curve is encouraging.
Hagen Danner is another hard-throwing reliever to keep an eye on in 2023. He struck out two, walked one, and looked pretty darn dominant in the process. His fastball sat in the high-90s, while his slider sat in the high-80s, and at one point hit just a tick under 90 mph. The Jays have a ton of depth in the bullpen, but Danner is a guy who may see some innings in 2023.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a homer in his second straight game. Instead of a piss missile in his last game, this was a nuke. He’s had a brilliant start to his spring training, and hopefully it can continue into the season.
Addison Barger was once again impressive. In his first at bat, he showed his impressive bat speed, hitting a double into the gap. In his second plate appearance, he walked on seven pitches. If he continues to hit as he has, it’s only a matter of time before he makes the Blue Jays outright.
More must-reads: