Toronto Blue Jays: Who Is Going To Play Left Field?
If the Toronto Blue Jays want to extend their run to the playoffs for a 3rd straight year, someone needs to step up and take the reins in left field.
The Bluebirds head into the 2017 season with all kinds of questions in left field. Is it a platoon? Do they give the young guys a shot? Lets handicap the race heading into spring training.
Front Runners
Melvin Upton Jr. – Upton joined the Jays in July 2016 to help them with their playoff push. He then proceeded to hit .196 in 57 games and make next to no impact in the playoffs. A 12-year veteran with 300 career stolen bases, Upton is the grey hair of the bunch and should get the first crack at the starting role.
Ezekiel Carrera – Zeke earned his look in left by dazzling fans with a superb 2016 postseason. However, Carrera hit .248 over 110 games during the regular season and failed to impress in several stints in the starting lineup in 2016.
With Upton being a right-handed batter and Carrera left-handed, the default scenario would suggest a platoon. But oddly enough, Carrera hits lefties far better than he does righties (.329 avg vs LHP and .218 vs RHP in 2016) which further clouds a platoon as neither of these men can hit right-handed pitching with any real success.
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Next Man Up
Steve Pearce – Pearce has joined the Jays at the right time. The departure of Edwin Encarnacion has opened a chance for Pearce to battle it out with Justin Smoak at first base but with 208 career games in the outfield, he has an opportunity to garner even further playing time. Pearce hit .309 vs left handed pitching in 2016, so he will be seeing a good deal of time at first base this season (Smoak hit a putrid .209 vs LHP in 2016) which will reduce his time in the outfield.
Looking For a Shot
Dalton Pompey – After breaking camp with the Jays in 2015, Pompey failed to do so in 2016 and as a result, did not see any time with the big club until September and only received 2 major league at bats in 2016. Pompey hit .270 in Buffalo last year and at 23 years old, the club is far from ready to give up on the kid just yet. A switch hitter with great speed, if Pompey can impress this spring, he might just sprint his way into the starting spot in left field come Opening Day.
Harold Ramirez – Ramirez is a dark horse coming into spring training. He came to the Jays in the trade that sent Drew Hutchison to the Pirates and he hit .311 over 99 games in AA last year. Ramirez has a chance to turn a few heads this spring and at 22 years old, there is a great deal of potential in this youngster.
Anthony Alford – Speaking of potential. Marinating in the minor leagues is one of the Jays top prospects for the past 3 years. Alford regressed in 2016 in Single A, hitting .236 and striking out 117 times in 339 at-bats so the Jays will be playing it safe with Alford, and another year in the minors appears to be the course of action.
Next: Who Will Man 3rd For the Giants in 2017?
Outlook
With five men vying for one coveted position, the spot is wide open heading into camp. Melvin Upton appears to have the spot by default but the Blue Jays brass are hoping one man can set himself apart and win the job outright this spring. Because if not, Jays fans may be looking at a platoon heading into the season.