A strong contributor to the Toronto Blue Jays’ late stretch of success in the Grapefruit League is veteran standout Daulton Varsho. He’s put up a stellar performance with four home runs, seven hits, nine RBI, and a 1.491 OPS. Following recovery from shoulder surgery, Varsho adjusted the plate with his stance, which provided him with boosted raw power. His position as cleanup and designated hitter has functioned well for him, and if Varsho isn’t fully recovered yet, having him in this position to start the season would continue to work well. In the outfield, the Blue Jays could utilize utility outfielder Myles Straw, who is also a solid defender. Varsho’s standout camp performance has gotten fans excited and has made his sound offense fun to watch.
Varsho’s Stance Says It All
Varsho has been a standout in camp due to his adjusted stance at the plate. He’s been standing more upright compared to last season. In addition, his hands have been more relaxed, and this has provided him with an increase in bat speed. He’s made hitting home runs look effortless, signaling what’s to come in the regular season. Varsho represented himself as a breakout player in camp and looked very comfortable on the plate.
He looks more reminiscent of the player he was when he played for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Varsho’s defense since coming to the Blue Jays has signaled outright consistency. When it comes to his offense, his consistency isn’t what we know he is capable of. This has made critics question whether trading away Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for him was smart. But Varsho has showcased pop to his bat and hustle and drive. Varsho’s numbers past the 2024 trade deadline demonstrated his ability to put his best foot forward. He put up a slash line of .252/.328/.431, as well as a .759 OPS, an 8.0 BB%/26.3 K%, a .179 ISO, a .339 xwOBA, and a 119 wRC. Varsho could very well have an All-Star season under his belt this season if he replicates his standout camp performance.
Varsho’s Elite Status
As the former DRS leader, his presence in the lineup has been a necessity. His defensive abilities as an outfielder earned him a Gold Glove award last season. In addition, his reliability in the outfield establishes him as a sound defender with great range. In addition, his consistency with his Outs Above Average (OAA) has ranked in the 99th percentile. Overall, he’s showcased resiliency and the willingness to come out strong. Varsho’s rehab with his shoulder was a rollercoaster ride of a journey that led to sleepless nights for him during the offseason. But his hard work has inevitably paid off. He is set to have a big season for the Blue Jays.
His versatility also speaks wonders as he also has experience as a catcher. While his strong efforts in the outfield are cherished, if the Blue Jays ever needed him behind the plate, he would likely make the transition in a heartbeat. Varsho has stood out among other AL veterans in camp. For example, Seattle Mariner’s Mitch Garver, Detroit Tigers’ Spencer Torkelson, and Boston Red Sox’s Trayce Thompson. Torkelson has also smashed four home runs in spring training, Garver has gone yard three times with a .444 batting average, and Thompson has hit the most home runs in camp with six.
Main Photo Credits: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The post Standout Performance by Blue Jays Veteran During Spring Training appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.