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Early Spring Training position player standouts for the Blue Jays

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The Toronto Blue Jays are just under a month away from the start of Opening Day, with the first game slated for March 27th against the Baltimore Orioles. Until then, Spring Training will continue to march forward, with roster players continuing to get reps in before the grind of a full season while prospects and those fighting for a spot continue to try and find a way to stand out amongst the group.

With just over a week of games in the books this spring, let’s take a quick look at some roster players who are finding an early groove to start the year.

Steward Berroa – OF

Fighting for a spot on the Opening Day roster, Steward Berroa is doing a lot of things to impress early this spring. Slotting into six games already, the outfielder has amassed at least one hit in four out of the six games he has suited up in and has two multi-hit games under his belt as well. Of his six hits, three of them have been for extra bases – including a centre field 418 foot dinger off Phillies right-hander Orion Kerkering.

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He does have three strikeouts to his name through 13 at-bats with zero walks but so far, the power from the Dominican product has been impressive early.

Myles Straw – OF

Straw’s tenure with the Blue Jays got off to a rocky start considering he was a payroll add-on when the Blue Jays front office went all-in on Roki Sasaki (and lost). However, the California product is looking to quell the haters early and is off to a strong start this spring with his new club.

Through six games, Straw has collected at least one hit in each contest and has six RBIs to his credit, which leads all Blue Jays this spring. Add in an impressive 1.121 OPS, just one strikeout, and a two-run home run off a Detroit Tigers farmhand that hit triple-digit exit velocity, and Straw is doing a lot to showcase he deserves a spot on the Jays Opening Day roster.

Ernie Clement – 3B

Contact is Ernie Clement’s calling card and the infielder is looking to claim his spot at third base once again this season. Through six games, Clement is tied with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with seven hits and has one double, RBI, and stolen base to his credit while reaching base in every single game he has suited up in so far for the Jays this spring.

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A fastball to the face produced a scary moment but the New York product avoided serious injury and is still on track to be an option for manager John Schneider at the hot corner this season.

Andrés Giménez – 2B

A glove-first infielder by trade, the Jays acquired Giménez this offseason and were hoping to unlock the 2022 form that saw him earn an All-Star nomination and some MVP consideration. With second base the Venezuelan products position heading into the new year, Giménez is doing a lot of good things with the bat as well under the tutelage of newcomer David Popkins.

The lefty-bat has two multi-hit games already through 15 at-bats and has three RBIs to his credit to go along with a double and a triple from the recent contest against the Tigers, where he was a home run short of the cycle. While Giménez is not a power hitter by trade, he has been sitting around 97-99 MPH on multiple balls in play this spring, and his triple hit 107.2 MPH against a Major League arm in Jason Foley. While it is too early to say that the trade is a ‘steal’, the early signs are a positive for the Jays and Giménez.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B

No shocker to anyone, but the slugging first baseman entering a contract year is having a great start to the spring. He’s tied with Clement with his seven hits, and Guerrero has been seeing the ball well out of the gate with one double and one homer on record, an absolute rocket of a shot to centre field off a hanging Reese Olson slider.

Guerrero did go hitless against the Phillies back in late February, but two multi-hit games have him sitting at a .500 average and his SLG sitting above .700 in the small sample size.

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Alan Roden – OF

The prospect with the most buzz this spring, outfielder Alan Roden is getting a lot of runway to showcase his talents and the Wisconsin product is making the most of the opportunity.

With three hits through eight at-bats, Roden has yet to strike out this spring and has four walks to his credit – showing that his plus eye can handle some of the top arms in the game. One of his most impressive at-bats was a double to left field off of Red Sox hurler Garrett Crochet, taking the offering the other way. Throw in a shout-out from general manager Ross Atkins and a diving grab in left field and Roden continues to put together an impressive spring showcase out of the gate.

Orelvis Martinez – INF

Orelvis Martinez continues to knock on the roster door but has yet to find a spot, large in part due to a suspension that had him sitting on the sidelines during a time when prospects were getting their feet wet in the big leagues in the back half of last season. Overall, Martinez is looking to impress after missing so much time and with the Blue Jays needing run support in a big way this season, the Dominican product has a lot to offer if he can find his power hitting form that made him stick out in the first place.

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So far, Martinez is doing all the right things. He has three hits through five games and all but one of those have been for an extra base hit. The right-handed bat notched the first home run of the Spring for the Jays, a changeup away that he drove over the right field wall on a 2-2 count against the Yankees. While the glove is still a work in progress, if Martinez can continue to mash while keeping the strikeouts down, he stands a strong chance of making the Opening Day roster in some capacity.

Daulton Varsho – OF

Rehabbing from shoulder surgery has limited Daulton Varsho to the batter’s box so far this spring but through two games, he’s already showcasing his power. He’s the only batter to have two home runs so far this spring and has two hits through five at-bats – both knocks being the home runs.

While the 100% home run pace won’t be sustainable for obvious reasons, a new stance in the batter’s box may have unlocked a new level for Varsho that could go a long way for Toronto this season.