The Toronto Blue Jays just can not catch a break. They managed another pretty good year last year, but since they are in the American League East they are stuck behind the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Tampa Bay Rays and so did not make the postseason. If they are going to get over the hump this year, their offense is going to need to come through. Let's check out the batting order they're going to be sending out to the field this year. For more team previews have a look at our 2012 MLB season preview.
Projected Lineup
J.P. Arencibia (Catcher) - In his first full year as the catcher for Toronto, Arencibia played comparatively well notwithstanding batting a below average .219 at the plate. He hit 23 homers and 78 RBI, and so long as he improves his average, he might be a nice starter for the Blue Jays for several years to come.
Adam Lind (First Base) - After having a massive 2009 season when he hit .305 to go along with 35 home runs and 114 RBI, Lind hasn't been able to measure up to the great expectancies and has struggled ever since. He batted just .251 last season but did hit 26 home runs with 87 RBI in just 125 games. The Blue Jays are not giving up on him just yet and they are hoping that he can go back to his old self.
Kelly Johnson (Second Base) -Toronto purchased Johnson from the Diamondbacks late last year and the change in scenery actually did help his game. After batting just .208 in 114 games with Arizona, he hit a respectable .270 over 33 games in Toronto.
Yunel Escobar (Shortstop) - After a unpleasant 2010 year, he appeared to have rebounded back and put up a respectable .290 last year. The 29-year-old however , does not have the power or speed necessary to be anything greater than a nice contact batter.
Brett Lawrie (3rd Base) -The Blue Jays are elated about what the future holds for their 22-year-old baseman in Brett Lawrie. In just 43 games, Lawrie batted .293 with 9 homers, 25 RBI, and 7 steals. He has so much ability moving forward, but he has to keep up those stats during the course of a full year.
Eric Thames (Left Field) - Another player Toronto is happy about it Eric Thames. Thames batted .262 with 12 homers and 37 RBI in just 95 games. The most important thing about Thames ' game was that it gradually improved during the course of the year.
Colby Rasmus (Center Field) - The Blue Jays need Rasmus to perform better for them after dealing for him in a midseason trade last year. In 35 games with the Blue Jays, Rasmus hit just .173 with 3 homers and 13 RBI over that stretch. He's still relatively young at the age of 25, so there is still the potential for a breakout year.
Jose Bautista (Right Field) - Folks were still doubtful when Bautista had a career year in 2010, but he showed all the doubters wrong when he played another solid year last year. In 2010, Bautista hit .260 with an astonishing 54 homers and 124 RBI. Last year, he continued his fantastic play batting .302 with 43 homers and 103 RBI, despite being walked a big league leading 132 times.
Edwin Encarnacion (Designated Hitter) - Encarnacion has shown flashes of brilliancy which has the Blue Jays thinking about a breakout season, but so far he hasn't put it together for a full season in Toronto. A stint after the All-Star break, he hit .289 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI, but he hit just .272 overall.
Projected Lineup
J.P. Arencibia (Catcher) - In his first full year as the catcher for Toronto, Arencibia played comparatively well notwithstanding batting a below average .219 at the plate. He hit 23 homers and 78 RBI, and so long as he improves his average, he might be a nice starter for the Blue Jays for several years to come.
Adam Lind (First Base) - After having a massive 2009 season when he hit .305 to go along with 35 home runs and 114 RBI, Lind hasn't been able to measure up to the great expectancies and has struggled ever since. He batted just .251 last season but did hit 26 home runs with 87 RBI in just 125 games. The Blue Jays are not giving up on him just yet and they are hoping that he can go back to his old self.
Kelly Johnson (Second Base) -Toronto purchased Johnson from the Diamondbacks late last year and the change in scenery actually did help his game. After batting just .208 in 114 games with Arizona, he hit a respectable .270 over 33 games in Toronto.
Yunel Escobar (Shortstop) - After a unpleasant 2010 year, he appeared to have rebounded back and put up a respectable .290 last year. The 29-year-old however , does not have the power or speed necessary to be anything greater than a nice contact batter.
Brett Lawrie (3rd Base) -The Blue Jays are elated about what the future holds for their 22-year-old baseman in Brett Lawrie. In just 43 games, Lawrie batted .293 with 9 homers, 25 RBI, and 7 steals. He has so much ability moving forward, but he has to keep up those stats during the course of a full year.
Eric Thames (Left Field) - Another player Toronto is happy about it Eric Thames. Thames batted .262 with 12 homers and 37 RBI in just 95 games. The most important thing about Thames ' game was that it gradually improved during the course of the year.
Colby Rasmus (Center Field) - The Blue Jays need Rasmus to perform better for them after dealing for him in a midseason trade last year. In 35 games with the Blue Jays, Rasmus hit just .173 with 3 homers and 13 RBI over that stretch. He's still relatively young at the age of 25, so there is still the potential for a breakout year.
Jose Bautista (Right Field) - Folks were still doubtful when Bautista had a career year in 2010, but he showed all the doubters wrong when he played another solid year last year. In 2010, Bautista hit .260 with an astonishing 54 homers and 124 RBI. Last year, he continued his fantastic play batting .302 with 43 homers and 103 RBI, despite being walked a big league leading 132 times.
Edwin Encarnacion (Designated Hitter) - Encarnacion has shown flashes of brilliancy which has the Blue Jays thinking about a breakout season, but so far he hasn't put it together for a full season in Toronto. A stint after the All-Star break, he hit .289 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI, but he hit just .272 overall.
About the Author:
Be certain to visit us for help beating the baseball odds this season with expert MLB picks from the top handicappers in the business.
No comments:
Post a Comment