5 Bold Predictions for the Toronto Blue Jays in Spring Training

After an incredible 2015 season that saw Toronto Blue Jays fever sweep an entire nation, the club looks to remain a threat this upcoming season in the American League East.

They may not have the bonafide ace (or do they?) in David Price they had least season during the second half and in the postseason, but Canada’s team still has enough fire power to compete inside the division.

Next: Dalton Pompey

5. Pompey starts in left field

It may not and likely won’t happen right out of camp, but at some point during the 2016 season, Dalton Pompey will take over full-time duties in left field for the Blue Jays. Michael Saunders has been irrelevant since Toronto acquired him and he’s extremely injury prone.

Both native Canadians will fight for the job in Spring Training and Saunders may win it out of the gate due to experience, but Pompey’s tools are more valuable than Saunders’.

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Saunders is a left-handed bat, but Pompey switch hits and brings far more speed to the base paths and in the outfield than Saunders. Since trading away Ben Revere, Toronto lacks a true 40-plus base stealing threat. Pompey knows he can be that guy for the Jays. It’s just a matter of making enough contact and getting on base. Following a 2015 demotion, he hit .351/.405/.545 over 31 Double-A games and .285/.372/.356 in Triple-A across 65, positive omens for Toronto.

Pompey is only 23 and will be a bottom of the order bat for now, but so too will Saunders, and he turns 30 in November. Toronto will be better served developing and investing their time into having Pompey in the lineup long-term. He’s potentially under contract until 2022, whereas Saunders is eligible for free agency following this season.

Next: Ryan Goins vs Devon Travis

4. Gibbons struggles to find the two playing time

Devon Travis might have been on his way to AL Rookie of the Year in 2015 if not for a shoulder injury. A surgery has bought manager John Gibbons some time to decide what to do between him and Ryan Goins. Travis likely won’t play until May after a rehab assignment.

In his rookie year, Travis showed he’s going to be a better career hitter than Goins. However, Goins’ defensive skill set is extremely underrated and shouldn’t be. He can play shortstop with as much panache as he does second base and has logged innings in the outfield as well. Travis is no slouch either, with a 2.2 UZR to Goins’ 1.2 in 2015 at second base.

If Saunders or Pompey under-perform drastically as left fielders this season, don’t be surprised to see Goins or even Travis get bumped over there. For a player known for his glove, many hitters had far worse seasons at the plate in 2015 than Goins did. His .250/.318/.354 slash line was rather respectable.

Next: Which youthful pitcher will step up?

3. Roberto Osuna out-pitches Aaron Sanchez

Aaron Sanchez is still only 23. He has 11 big league starts under his belt and the numbers have not been bad with a 3.55 ERA and five wins. Yet he has had better success out of the bullpen, while Roberto Osuna is yet to start a Major League game. That eventually happening may not be far off.

For the Blue Jays to contend in 2016, pitching wise, they will need Marcus Stroman to be ace-like, R.A. Dickey to eat up innings and either Sanchez or Osuna to emerge as a solid rotation arm. Osuna is the pick here, as he cracked the 25-man roster and eventually took over the closer job from Brett Cecil last season at only age 20.

He appears to be progressing and developing faster than Sanchez. Osuna was incredible for Toronto as their closer and used an impressive three pitch arsenal of fastball/slider/change-up in 2015. He’s been working on a cutter this offseason. If that pitch has came along nicely, Osuna should be a leading candidate to make the Jays’ rotation out of camp with his already nasty stuff.

The acquisition of Drew Storen mostly solidifies the fact that he will be closing in 2016, with the organization having their eyes on quality starts from Osuna and/or Sanchez. But Osuna’s development and more electric arm is the safer bet here.

Next: Have we seen the best from Marcus Stroman yet?

2. Stroman represents true ace status in T.O.

An early return from ACL surgery in 2015 speaks loud and clear to the competitive fire that burns inside Marcus Stroman. The Jays never made much of an effort to bring back David Price or sign another big free agent arm. Stroman is the main reason for that.

Not a typical ace in stature, Tim Lincecum and his two Cy Young awards never were, either. Stroman’s five pitch repertoire that he uses well above average have drawn comparisons to Roy Halladay amongst scouts and from fans in Toronto. While he has a lot of work to do in order to gain the respect and future contracts that Halladay left behind once his playing days were over, Stroman is ready to try — there’s no question.

His 3.65 ERA and 2.79 FIP as a rookie in 2014 were ridiculously strong outputs. In fact, for all starters with a minimum of 120 IP in 2014, Stroman’s FIP ranked 13th league wide, right behind David Price.

While 2015 seemed too good to be true (4-0, 1.67 ERA in four starts less than six months removed from surgery), Stroman showed he is capable of becoming a dominant pitcher in years to come. If he can stay healthy and help guide the Blue Jays to a second consecutive playoff berth, don’t be surprised to see his name appear on some awards ballots at regular seasons end.

Next: Bye bye Bautista