Toronto Blue Jays getting leadership from Ken Giles

On a Toronto Blue Jays team with plenty of young players, they will need to find veterans to step up into leadership roles. Ken Giles has begun to be one of those leaders.

One of the challenges of fielding a relatively young team at the major league level is finding leadership. Typically, a team will bring in a few veterans, not just for what they can contribute on the diamond, but for what they bring to a locker room. These players help teach the youngsters the proper way to play the game and how to prepare, and even the importance of practice.

One of those moments happened on Thursday for the Toronto Blue Jays. After noticing that David Paulino was skipping his turn in drills working on covering first, closer Ken Giles exploded on him in a profanity laced tirade. This lack of effort came on the heels of a less than impressive outing on Wednesday, where Paulino was considered to look disinterested in his outing.

That is the type of reaction that the Blue Jays will need in order to get their young roster to take that next step. As the Blue Jays presumed closer, Giles certainly appears to be embracing his role as a leader in the bullpen, especially as he called out Paulino for his lack of effort and refusal to participate in the drill.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Although Giles is not much older than Paulino, he has established himself in the majors. He has notched 91 saves in his five years in the majors, posting a 2.81 ERA and a 1.125 WHiP, striking out 389 batters against 89 walks in his 294.1 innings. Although there are times when Giles can be an adventure in the ninth, he has generally been a solid relief option.

The same cannot be said about Paulino. Although he looked good in a seven game stint with the Blue Jays last season, Paulino has a career 5.48 ERA and a 1.406 WHiP in his 42.2 major league innings. Armed with a devastating curve and a potentially plus change, Paulino certainly has the talent to become a major league mainstay.

By questioning Paulino’s work ethic and unloading on him, it may be that Giles will get that ability to come to the surface. Both players are also familiar with one another, having been part of the trade that sent Antonio Osuna to Houston. That familiarity may also have been part of why Giles was willing to call Paulino out for his effort.

The Toronto Blue jays need veteran leadership. Right now, closer Ken Giles is stepping up to that role.