Toronto Blue Jays: Expect big things from Marcus Stroman in 2018

After a rough 2017 season, the Toronto Blue Jays find themselves with a tough decision of continuing in contending or to start a rebuild. The team has at least one player to build around in pitcher Marcus Stroman.

After starting the 2017 season off with an abysmal April, the Toronto Blue Jays found themselves in too deep a hole to climb out of in the potent AL East. A combination of injuries and misfortune led to them missing the playoffs last season.

If the Blue Jays struggle in the first half of the 2018 season, the team could decide to start rebuilding by moving players like Josh Donaldson and Roberto Osuna. But as of now, the team plans to compete this coming season.

It wouldn’t even be a surprise if the Blue Jays went after a few free agents left on the market. Before the 2017 season, the Blue Jays had made the playoffs back-to-back seasons. Although, if the season doesn’t go as planned, they can start their rebuild around a pitcher who is on the rise, Marcus Stroman.

The 26-year-old garnered national attention for the first time during the 2017 World Baseball Classic, pitching for Team USA. He pitched 15.1 innings and posted an ERA of 2.35 with a 0.91 WHIP and nine strikeouts.

Stroman displayed his strength on the mound in the WBC championship game against Team Puerto Rico. In six innings of work, the right-hander allowed zero runs on just one hit and one walk. His dominance on the mound earned him the 2017 WBC MVP award.

For Toronto, Stroman emerged as the ace of the staff in 2017. While a lot of their starters couldn’t find success or manage to stay healthy, Stroman remained consistent the whole season.

Stroman’s career stats include a 37-25 record, 3.61 ERA, 1.253 WHIP and 459 strikeouts. The Blue Jays’ starter made significant strides last season becoming one of the top pitchers in the AL.

In 2017, Stroman posted a 13-9 record with a 3.09 ERA, 1.308 WHIP, and 164 strikeouts. His bWAR hit 5.8 in 2017, apparently the best of his four-year career. Stroman’s bWAR and ERA both ranked fourth-best in the AL. He also earned his first Gold Glove award and finished eighth in the AL Cy Young voting.

After a breakout year in 2017, Stroman could exceed that in 2018 and put himself in the conversation as an elite pitcher in today’s game. He doesn’t hit free agency until 2021, and the Blue Jays need to capitalize on that and work on a deal to lock him up long term.

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Despite standing at just 5 feet 8 inches tall, Stroman doesn’t let his size impact his success on the mound. Stroman created his motto, HDMH (Height Doesn’t Measure Heart).

According to his HDMH website, Stroman was always told he couldn’t amount to things in baseball because of his height, but he continues to rise despite the doubts.

HDMH isn’t just for Stroman, though. He believes that it applies to anyone who gets doubts about not being enough of something. Stroman’s even branched his clothing line off the motto.

With his fiery emotion on the mound and belief that he can become even better, there’s no telling what the limit is for Stroman.

Next: Big hitters still on the free agent market

With the 2018 season coming up, Stroman could play a more significant factor in the success of the Toronto Blue Jays. Not only next season but for many years to come.