Well, well the Toronto Blue Jays as of Sunday are 7-3 in their last ten games, they are only a couple of games behind the Orioles in the AL East and hold the second wildcard spot, for now. Which has to get Blue Jays fans excited, I know I’m getting caught in the moment. It’s time to see if the Jays make any trades, and pretty much everyone who follows this team wants moves made to bolster this team.
When the Jays started to falter a bit in June and early July I like many people, took some shots at the Jays management and coaching staff. Although I still haven’t changed my opinion, I feel as though it is time to write about some of the positive aspects of this Blue Jays team. One huge bright spot that has shown so far this season is the young pitchers the Jays have used. Drew Hutchison, Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez who was just recently called up and earned his first Major League win the other day. These three pitchers could be the Jays future rotation for years to come. Hutchison and Stroman are already in the rotation and pitching pretty well, while Sanchez is getting time in the bullpen, but has limited innings for this season.
Jays Young Arms Show Promise
Drew Hutchison’s numbers as of July 27th are 7-9 record with a 4.44 ERA in 21 games started with 119.2 innings pitched, 109 strikeouts with a 1.34 WHIP. He has lost more games recently, but most of the losses were due to the lack of runs scored by the Jays. He’s been very good for this team this season and has shown that the Tommy John surgery he had in 2012 has healed properly and has helped him with his form.
Marcus Stroman who started the season in AAA Buffalo was called up in early May and struggled in the bullpen a bit, but was then give a promotion in the rotation when Brendan Morrow went down with an injury and Dustin McGowan didn’t did pan out as they had hoped in the rotation. Promoting Stroman has been a fantastic move by the Jays as he is 6-2 with a 3.21 ERA, with 67.1 IP, 59 strikeouts and a 1.10 WHIP. In his last two games he has only had 5 hits off of him with no runs scored. His last start against the Red Sox he brought a no hitter into the seventh inning. In his last ten games as a starter he has an ERA of 2.21 and has been very dominant.
Aaron Sanchez has only recently been called up to the big club and is 1-0 so far with a 2.25 ERA with 4 IP, 2 strikeouts and a 1.50 WHIP. Not a lot of numbers to work on, but he’s shown more upside than downside right now. His minor league numbers don’t really tell the story, but he is one of the Jays top pitching prospects and a lot of teams have been trying to pry him from the Jays and he has been linked in many rumored trades which means that the scouts are seeing his upside too.
I know when Hutchison and Stroman start I try my best to watch their games, because they have been exciting to watch. I know the Jays are in win now mode and if somehow these three pitchers don’t get traded away this season, then the future of the rotation is very bright. The future isn’t guaranteed of course as we have seen pitchers who should have been great come and go, pitchers like Ricky Romero, Jesse Litsch and Gustavo Chacin (remember him?), but if it all works out these three pitchers could make a very dominant rotation, something Toronto has been waiting for since the days of Roy Halladay.
Now it’s time to focus on this season, the deadline and what will happen to the Jays down the stretch. In my mind ownership needs to loosen its grip on its money and let AA make some moves, because now is the time for this team to make a postseason run, not later.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @NVincelli. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
“You like baseball? Get involved! Check out LWOS Partners Bases Loaded Eu for fantastic podcasts, news and a growing message board community of baseball fans like you!
Main Photo
