DESIGN: Scott Barkley WRITERS: Mitch Bannon, Andrew Barron, Ethan Diamandas, John Iaboni, Julia Kreuz
PHOTOGRAPHY: Getty Images, Toronto Blue Jays
PREPRESSANDPRINTING: Mi5
VENDING MANAGER: Darrell Winch
FOUNDING PARTNER: Jim Reed
BLUE JAYS CONTRIBUTING STAFF DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS PLANNING: Michael Lunder
SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER: Maureen Kinghorn
MANAGER OF BASEBALL INFORMATION: Simon Wells
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR: Braeden Zahn
PROJECT COORDINATOR: Jacob Kennedy
BY JULIA KREUZ
A World Series champion, former NLCS MVP and the owner of one of the best beards in baseball, Justin Turner sees a sky-high ceiling for this Toronto team –he’s ready to contribute on and off the field
JUSTIN TURNER has had a front-row seat to the talent on this Blue Jays team. Now, he gets to be part of the show.
The 39-year-old Turner joined Toronto on a one-year deal this offseason, adding power and playoff pedigree to a club vying for a deep postseason run in 2024.
After one season with the Red Sox and nine years with the Dodgers before that, the third baseman/designated hitter was looking for a chance to contend again. The promise of talent and a competitive mindset played a big part in his decision to sign with the Blue Jays.
“Playing in Boston last year [I got] a front-row view of them, their starting pitching, their bullpen –which are fantastic,” Turner said in an introductory call with reporters in February. “Certainly a lot of talent in that lineup. … I think it’s a great fit. I’m looking
forward to getting over there and hopefully having an impact on some of their younger guys and maybe helping them take the next step.”
The next step is clear: After two early exits in the postseason, the Blue Jays enter 2024 poised to show that potential can translate into wins all the way into the fall. Turner –the owner of a 2020 World Series ring, two All-Star selections and one of the best beards in the league –believes he can help them get there.
A veteran of nine postseasons (totalling 86 games), Turner has experienced glory and heartbreak. Most importantly, he’s learned to value the uniqueness of October baseball.
“I can tell you first-hand, the playoffs are hard, man,” said Turner. “It doesn’t matter how talented, how good or how hot you are. … I was with the Dodgers for nine years, made the playoffs all nine years and we came out of it with one championship. So I think it’s just about having the right guys, having the momentum.”
The word “momentum” can mean different things in different circumstances, but having a swaggy former National League Championship Series MVP in the fold certainly gives Toronto an edge.
Turner owns a playoff batting average of .270, along with 13 home runs, 42 RBIs and an .830 OPS over his 86 contests. That’s also a pretty good start in the “having the right guys” department. Turner sees the same potential in the Blue Jays’ current makeup.
“The first sign of a good team is pitching in defense, and that's something that they've done well here for quite a while now,” Turner told reporters on Feb. 19 in Dunedin, Fla. “Then you go and look at the potential on the offensive side. I'm excited to be a part of that lineup and hopefully
“I can tell you first-hand, the playoffs are hard ...”
help these guys continue to grow, continue to improve and, you know, be here for them to lean on if they need anything.”
It should come as no surprise, then, that Turner’s name came up at the top of the list when Bo Bichette was asked about free agents who could help the Blue Jays this year in an offseason edition of the Blair and Barker Show on Sportsnet 590 The Fan.
Turner heard it, too.
“It was pretty cool,” Turner said of being mentioned in Bichette’s interview.
During the early days of Spring Training camp, Turner found himself taking swings with the likes of Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., young talents the 15-year veteran had watched from afar and now gets to share a clubhouse with. Conversations about hitting were just the starting point of a relationship Turner hopes to develop further.
“That's the cool part about changing teams,” Turner said. “You have an idea of what guys are like from playing them across the field, and then when you get to wear the same uniform as them, you get to see how they’re wired, day in and day out, and what makes them a great player.”
That exchange will go both ways.
Turner, who was selected by the Reds in the seventh round of the 2006 MLB Draft, has appeared in 1,539 regular-season games in the Major Leagues, ranking 14th among active players. He never suited up for Cincinnati in the big leagues, instead making
his debut with the Orioles in 2009. Turner was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets on May 25, 2010, where he stayed until 2013 before joining a powerhouse Dodgers club the following season. He joined the Red Sox in 2023, his first taste of life in the American League East.
That kind of longevity is rare, and it’s the direct product of discipline, preparation and self-knowledge.
“As you get older, you start understanding how to get your work done in
“Playing in Boston last year [I got] a front-row view of their starting pitching, their bullpen –which are fantastic.”
more efficient ways,” Turner told reporters. “ … You start minimizing those routines to do them efficiently.”
His savvy work mentality was quick to yield results again this year.
Through his first six Spring Training games with the Blue Jays, Turner batted .364 with a 1.018 OPS and five walks vs. two strikeouts. It
was clear since before he got to camp that there would be a place for him near the top of the lineup, but the strong start to spring served as a much-welcome final confirmation about where Turner stands.
Making Canada his new home turf should also serve as extra motivation.
“It’s hard to wrap your head around playing for an entire country,” said Turner. “ … Being the only Major League team in the entire country, getting to feel that support from the East Coast to the West Coast is something I’m looking forward to.”
His passion for hockey should make the acclimation process a tad easier, too.
Growing up in Los Angeles, Turner got to see the prime years of Wayne Gretzky, Rob Blake and Marty McSorley with the Kings. That sparked a fandom that hasn’t died out, though if you ask about his favourite team today, you’ll get a quick –and perhaps wise –answer.
“Maple Leafs,” Turner said with a smile.
It seems safe to expect at least one sighting of Turner at Scotiabank Arena this year. Naturally, though, his priority will be to help the Blue Jays toward their goals.
His first bit of advice? Stick together and work as a team.
“Really, the one thing that stood out for me from our 2020 team [compared to] other teams, it wasn’t necessarily that there was more talent in L.A. It’s just that it was one of the most unselfish teams I’ve ever been a part of,” said Turner. “ … I think that’s what the 162 [games] is for.
Obviously, you’ve got to make the playoffs to have that opportunity, but also lining it up, getting guys to buy into, ‘Hey, if you want to win the World Series, we’re going to have to swallow some pride and do whatever it takes, whether that’s the sexy role or not.’
“I promise you won’t care about it when you’re holding that trophy at the end of the day.”l
TORONTO BLUE
JAYS
What to Watch around the
BLUE JAYS in 2024
BY JULIA KREUZ
The superstars are back, the stage is set and the expectations are palpable. As the Blue Jays enter 2024 with renewed commitment and lofty goals, here’s what to watch for around the club.
More innovations at the ballpark Fans attending games at Rogers Centre this season will experience a fully renovated 100 level, as the Blue Jays finalize Phase 2 of the renovation projects that began in the 2022 offseason. Additions to the lower bowl include more viewer-friendly seating options as well as premium clubs and added social spaces. Phase 2 also rounds out renovations around club spaces, including the home and away clubhouses.
The first part of the ballpark renovations, which concluded ahead of Opening Day 2023, completely overhauled Rogers Centre’s 500 level, including Toronto-focused social areas and experiences in the outfield.
The splitter king wants more
After a third-place finish in American League Cy Young voting last year, is back –and so is his nasty repertoire. The right-hander continued to perfect one of the best splitters in the game last season, posting a 3.16 ERA and 237 strikeouts over 185 innings pitched in his second campaign as a member of the Blue Jays. Those numbers were good enough to earn Gausman a selection to the All-MLB Second Team last December. Gausman figures to lead the
way in an accomplished rotation that includes right-handers Chris Bassitt and José Berríos as well as lefty Yusei Kikuchi. That group was largely responsible for Toronto’s starting-pitching success in 2023 –the club finished the year with a 3.85 starters’ ERA, the third-best mark in Major League Baseball.
Speaking of the rotation…
A promising new arm
The Blue Jays added depth and electric potential by signing Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodríguez this offseason. The 27-year-old Rodríguez began his career as a starter in his home country before moving on to pitch in Japan, where he found success as a reliever in 2022. That versatility carries more value than ever in today’s game, and Rodríguez’s ability to pitch multiple innings as well as to come out of the bullpen is a good starting point for the type of upside he may bring to the club.
A closer look at the ‘pen
Most of the Blue Jays’ relief corps from 2023 is set to return this season, led by All-Star Canadian closer Jordan Romano. The 30-year-old right-hander recorded 36 saves in 40 opportunities last year, posting a 2.90 ERA over 59 innings pitched. Romano
Jordan roMano
will share the high-leverage innings with longtime teammate Tim Mayza, fireballer Erik Swanson and veteran Chad Green, who is gearing up for his first full season in a Blue Jays uniform after signing with Toronto at the end of 2022.
The Blue Jays had the eighth-best bullpen ERA last season, finishing the campaign with a 3.68 mark and a 1.23 WHIP in 557 innings pitched. A healthy and stronger group should put the club in a good position once again this year.
Some veteran pop
The Blue Jays landed a bona fide playoff star in third baseman/designated hitter Justin Turner, who joined the club on a one-year deal in January. A 2020 World Series champion and former NLCS MVP, Turner has appeared in 86 playoff games and 1,539 regular-season contests, a mark that ranks 14th among active MLB players.
There’s more to Turner than a veteran status, though. His swaggy attitude and distinguishable beard have made the 39-year-old one of the most recognizable figures in the game. All of that pairs nicely with a career .829 OPS and a a career bWAR of 36.8 over 15 Major League seasons. Last year with the Red Sox, Turner batted .276 with a career-high 96 RBIs.
KK back in centre
Kevin Kiermaier will patrol the Rogers Centre outfield for a second consecutive season. The four-time Gold Glove winner and one-time
KeVin GauSMan
Platinum Glove recipient signed a one-year deal to return to the Blue Jays, and he’ll look to replicate his success at the plate as well as on defence this season. Fielding will always be Kiermaier’s calling card, but Toronto will be in a good place if the 11-year veteran can deliver on offence as he did in 2023.
Kiermaier wrapped the regular season with a .265 batting average with a .741 OPS and 14 stolen bases while hitting mostly from the No. 9 spot. Add 13 outs above average to that, and it’s easy to see why the Blue Jays were eager to bring him back.
That said, Kiermaier is convinced that there’s more to come.
“I’m as motivated as I’ve ever been right now,” Kiermaier said during a Zoom call with reporters in January. “I can never sit still. I’ve got this fire in me."
IKF brings versatility
The Blue Jays added a Swiss Army knife to their roster by signing Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a two-year deal in December. The six-year MLB veteran
IKF swiped 14 bags over 115 games last year.
spent the past two seasons with the Yankees after four years as a member of the Rangers. Kiner-Falefa, an infield savant for most of his career, added centrefield and right field to his positional repertoire last year. That gives manager John Schneider plenty of chances to get creative with his lineup construction, something this organization values quite a bit.
On the offensive side, IKF offers a solid bat and plus baserunning. He stole 20 or more bases in back-toback seasons between 2021 and ‘22, and he swiped 14 bags over 115 games last year.
“I’m here to win –that’s the biggest thing,” Kiner-Falefa said in an
iSiah Kiner-FaleFa
introductory call with reporters in January. “I looked across, when I was playing in New York … I didn’t like facing any of the pitchers and did not like playing defence when those guys were hitting.
“It’s a team that I knew was ready to win.”
Another level to Bo’s game
Entering his sixth Major League season, Bo Bichette is ready to take the next steps in his continuous growth. The former second-round MLB Draft selection enjoyed another strong offensive season in 2023, and the projections indicate there’s more to come from him.
Bichette, who was the league’s hits leader in two consecutive seasons, is expected to eclipse 20 home runs again in 2024, while improving his baserunning and defence at shortstop. If he can continue to cut down on strikeout rates while making elite content at the clip Blue Jays fans have grown used to seeing, Bichette should be well on his way to a third AllStar selection.
The prospects are knocking Ricky Tiedemann headlines a list of promising young players who may be primed for their MLB debut in 2024. The left-hander was named Pitcher of the Year in the Arizona Fall League last year after posting a 2.50 ERA with 23 strikeouts against eight walks over four starts, further paving the way for the next chapter in his career. Tiedemann –the No. 2 lefthanded prospect in the Majors, according to MLB Pipeline –pitched 44 innings with 82 strikeouts between four levels in the Minors last season.
But he’s far from the only exciting name coming up through the ranks. Infielders Orelvis Martinez and Addison Barger and flamethrowing right-hander Yosver Zulueta are among a select group of Blue Jays prospects that may find themselves in the Major League clubhouse at some point this season.l
KeVin KierMaier
BY ETHAN DIAMANDAS
BLUE JAYS BASEBALL looks and feels a lot different these days, as Rogers Centre’s transition from a stadium to a true ballpark is nearly complete.
The first wave of the $400-million renovations last season created five new social spaces for fans to explore. The open-air outfield neighbourhoods were immediately a smash hit!
With the outfield areas redone, this season fans will get to enjoy a reimagined 100-level seating bowl with a viewing experience that is perfectly calibrated for the sights and sounds of a ballgame. Fans know all the action happens around home plate, so these new seats will be angled toward the infield. No matter
your row or section, you won’t miss a beat.
And if you want to stretch out, go for it! 100-level seating now includes added legroom, adjustable armrest options, and cupholders throughout every row, offering you a place to stash your tasty beverage from any of the stadium’s signature food vendors. Comfort and inclusivity are top of mind at Rogers Centre, which is why this renovation prioritized new accessible field-level seats and handrails in every aisle.
Feel like you’re hovering over the action? It’s not just your imagination. Foul territory was reduced by approximately 3,000 square feet, from be-
yond the bases to the warning track, limiting viewpoint obstructions and offering spectators the classic ballpark experience that all hardball enthusiasts cherish.
This journey isn’t finished either. To match evolving fan entertainment needs, the Blue Jays are creating three new premium clubs at Rogers Centre during the 2024 season. These new areas, located beneath the upgraded lower bowl and connected to the best seats in the park, offer personalized service, in-seat dining, and many other amenities.
The fun begins with the Rogers Banner Club behind home plate down the third-base line. This rowdy sports bar is decked out in Blue Jays memorabilia and caters to the most passionate fans, who can cheer on their squad surrounded by good friends, good eats, and a massive array of TV viewing experiences. Best of all, this club offers a direct view over the home dugout and into the Jays’ batting cage for a behind-the-curtain peek into the action.
But not every fan wants to follow
The work at home plate went around the clock
SchneiderS Porch
every pitch, and that’s okay. The Blueprint Club, located down the firstbase line, provides a more intimate atmosphere, while Blue Jays baseball serves as a subtle backdrop to an ambient evening. At the Blueprint Club, attendees can treat friends, family, and colleagues to an expanded culinary menu, plus a live preparation chef’s table and in-club entertainment that extends beyond the final out.
Directly behind the batter’s box, the TD Lounge is Rogers Centre’s new crown jewel. With all-access and exclusive options, this premium destination offers an unprecedented culinary experience and access to prestigious seats. TD Lounge is also the only membership that allows fans to visit the three clubs, all of which will open a little later this season.
For those interested in heading to the opposite side of the ballpark in the outfield, your first stop could be The Stop behind the 100-level batter’s eye. That Toronto transit-themed space offers delicious city treats and an express trip to The Catch Bar behind the
right-field bullpen. This vivid vista saw its fair share of home runs last season, which should prompt fans to keep their heads up as they guzzle down a cocktail beverage in 2024.
The Corona Rooftop patio in the right-field 500-level section is Rogers Centre’s glowing oasis for fans to enjoy frozen drinks and live music – a perfect complement to the playful
games and snacks at TD Park Social in left field. Schneider’s Porch, loaded with hot-dog-themed chow, and Rogers Landing, one of the best views for outfield action, wrap up the 200level renovations.
Of course, the playing surface was altered in last season’s renovations. A grander left-field wall was built, while power alleys were shaped in right-
centre field to create the appropriate curves and crevices that matched the ballpark’s bustling new character. With fan interaction top of mind, bullpens in left and right field were elevated to eye level, offering spectators an exclusive view of their favourite reliever or a chance to heckle an opposing club’s closer.
The upgrades crept behind the scenes, too. Baseball players love arriving in style, which is why the Blue Jays forged their new state-of-the-art exercise facility alongside a nifty new barbershop. And since baseball and family go hand in hand, the Blue Jays created a cozy family room for players’ loved ones to take in the game.
Whether you live and die on every pitch or crave a more casual baseball experience, Rogers Centre is the perfect destination for you. With a mass of upgrades and new premium destinations, no single experience will ever feel the same. No matter where you’re sitting or who you’re with, there are endless memories to be made each time you step into the ballpark.l
BY JOHN IABONI
VLADDY HITS HIS FIRST HOMER, MAY 14, 2019
MATCH GAME
Where did each hitter belt his first MLB homer and each pitcher earn his first MLB win?
A.Alejandro Kirk
B.Yusei Kikuchi
C.Bo Bichette & Danny Jansen
D.Chris Bassitt
E.Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
F.Kevin Gausman
G.Jose Berrios
1.Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
2.Minute Maid Park, Houston
3.Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore
4.Angel Stadium of Anaheim
5.Sahlen Field, Buffalo
6.Comerica Park, Detroit
7.Oracle Park, San Francisco
ANSWERS
Southpaws Are Mostly Left Out
Rarely do left-handed throwers occupy catcher, third base, second base or shortstop in a Major League Baseball game.
Heading into this season, a left-handed tossing catcher last saw MLB action in 1989 – and since 1905 that’s only happened three times: Dale Long 1.2 innings over two games for the Chicago Cubs in 1958, Mike Squires two innings over two games for the 1980 Chicago White Sox and Benny Distefano six innings over three games for the 1989 Pittsburgh Pirates.
Outfielder/first baseman Distefano gained a final roster spot under Pirates manager Jim Leyland when he offered to become the club’s third catcher. Once Distefano actually got behind the plate, he’d also caught his place in MLB history.
Current Blue Jays bench coach/offensive coordinator Don Mattingly is another left-handed thrower who ventured into seldom explored MLB territory. Donnie Baseball’s magnificent 14 seasons with the New York Yankees encompassed 1,634 games at first base where he snared nine Gold Glove Awards.
But he also played one game (0.1 innings) at second base in 1983 and three games at third base (totaling 18 innings, including two starts) at Seattle on August 29, 30 and 31, 1986. He handled 13 chances at the hot corner with one putout, 11 assists and one error.
Mattingly twice started 5-4-3 double plays, the second of which erased his E-5 from the previous grounder. Legendary Yankees broadcaster Phil Rizzuto, who was a Hall of Fame shortstop in his day, was so excited by cool Mattingly at third that he repeatedly showered him with his trademark “Holy Cow!” call.
Yankees Manager Lou Piniella turned to Mattingly due to injuries and told The New York Times: “I know everybody thinks I’m nuts but I’ve
got nobody else to play there.”
Lefty-throwing Mario Valdez played an inning at the hot corner in one game for the White Sox in 1997, then portsider Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs replaced injured Kris Bryant at third in the ninth inning against the Reds during a game in 2017.
Actually, Cubs manager/shift guru Joe Maddon also used Rizzo at second base in 10 games (4.1 total innings) that season. But the emergency call to third on August 22, 2017 provided an uncharted/unusual twist in Rizzo’s career.
“Everything was in reverse,” Rizzo told mlb.com. “To see (Reds first baseman) Joey Votto from the other side … it was just really weird.”
No kidding. That’s the way this game goes. Since right-handedness dominates around the globe, not surprisingly, baseball became a counterclockwise game. Facing the field of play from home plate out, players run from home-to-first-to-second-to-thirdto-home. Therefore, plays for outs on the infield are more natural for righties at third, second, shortstop or catcher because they don’t have to pivot to make tosses around the infield. Righty catchers also possess an edge from receiving the ball with the glove on the left hand. That permits them to easier
complete tag plays because runners from third dart home to the left side of home plate.
First base does provide ample infield opportunities for left-handed throwers. With the glove on the right hand, they’re nearer their teammates thereby offering a target that can be hit that precious split-second quicker.
Among rosters last season, some southpaws who saw action at first base aside from Rizzo included Brandon Belt, Josh Naylor, Cody Bellinger, Ryan O’Hearn, Alex Kirilloff, Nick Pratto, Vinnie Pasquantino, Ryan Noda, Dominic Smith, Rowdy Tellez and LaMonte Wade Jr.
So portsiders aren’t completely shut out among MLB infield positions. Just don’t count on seeing them at catcher, third, second or shortstop –unless a manager is “left” with no other option!l
WHO AM I?
• I am a two-time All-Star and last year I won my first Gold Glove Award.
• I have made 32 starts in a season five times in my MLB career.
• My favourite player growing up was Ivan Rodriguez.
• My nickname in Spanish is “La Makina” which in English means “The Machine” because of the way I train.
• Javier Baez of the Detroit Tigers is my brother-in-law.
ANSWER:
JOSÉ BERRÍOS
DON MATTINGLY
Clearwater Beach
José Berríos
AFTER rediscovering his dominance in 2023, José Berríos is set to play a pivotal role in the Blue Jays’ rotation this season, a group that figures to be one of the best in the Majors.
Those predictions are driven in large part by the diversity of Toronto’s starting arms, and Berríos fits the bill perfectly in that matter. The Bayamon, Puerto Rico, native pitched to a 3.65 ERA last year, combining four effective pitches to rack up the strikeouts and generate plenty of soft contact. Berríos counted on a sinker, a slurve, a four-seamer and a changeup last season, displaying elite command and movement to punch out 184 batters and produce a 2.4 WAR, per Baseball Reference, over 189 2/3 innings.
It was the perfect way to bounce back from an up-and-down season in 2022, and it displayed exactly why the Blue Jays signed him to a seven-year contract following the 2021 campaign.
A first-round pick of the Twins in the 2012 MLB Draft, Berríos pitched for Minnesota from 2016 until mid2021, when he was traded to Toronto in the midst of a precocious playoff push for a young team kicking the contention door open.
His track record spoke for itself at the time. The 29-year-old Berríos was already a two-time All-Star when he joined the Blue Jays, once finishing in the Top 10 of American League Cy Young voting –including the season he was dealt to Toronto. Since then, Berríos has added a Gold Glove Award
Berríos figures to be a crucial part of Toronto’s quest for a deep postseason run
BY JULIA KREUZ
to his name, earning the honour in 2023 after a season filled with highlight-reel defensive plays.
There’s more to come from “La Mákina,” though.
Entering his ninth year in the Majors and the third year of his contract with the Blue Jays, Berríos figures to be a crucial part of Toronto’s quest for a deep postseason run. He already has 15 innings of playoff experience to his name, posting a 3.60 ERA with 19 strikeouts and only one home run allowed over four games -one of them last October with the Blue Jays, when he struck out five batters in three innings of one-run ball against his former team in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series.
“I have more experience now,” Berríos said of his Wild Card start with the Blue Jays. “I’m excited [for what’s ahead].”l
CAVAN BIGGIO
THE NAME certainly comes with expectations, but Cavan Biggio has forged his own path over five years in the Major Leagues. The son of Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, Cavan came up through the Blue Jays’ system alongside guys like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, signalling Toronto’s current wave of talent long before it converged in the big leagues. But his role has grown to be quite different from the other two homegrown talents with famous last names.
Biggio, a Houston native selected in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB Draft, has shown his value by becoming one of the most defensively versatile players in the game, all while providing solid offensive contributions as a left-handed hitter. His big league journey got off to a good start, when he finished fifth in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2019. Since then, Biggio has done enough to carve out a near-everyday workload with the Blue Jays.
Resilience has been key for Biggio, who is entering his age-29 season. Last year, for example, he shook off a slow start at the plate to deliver a scorching second half, including a .272 batting average with a .765 OPS and 22 RBIs to help the Blue Jays through one of the most intense playoff battles in recent years. Those numbers are almost secondary to Biggio’s defence, though, as he appeared in five different positions for Toronto in 2023 –first, second and third base, right field and even shortstop.
One of the many players who came up through the Minors with manager John Schneider as their skipper, Biggio has one more trait
working greatly in his favour: his quiet leadership. Biggio grew up around the game, but his own experiences and authentic demeanour are what’s turned him into a clubhouse mainstay. He was originally selected out of high school by the Phillies in the 29th round of the 2013 Draft, but instead he opted to attend the University of Notre Dame, where he played second base almost exclusively. After joining the Blue Jays’ organization, Biggio remained keen on evolving, widening his positional capabilities while showing above-average discipline at the plate. That culminated in
Biggio had a scorching second half with a .272 batting average with a .765 OPS and 22 RBIs
BY JULIA KREUZ
Eastern League Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player nods during his 2018 season at Double-A New Hampshire and a promotion to the big leagues the following season.
The everyday grind speaks louder than the accolades, though, and Biggio has continued to set the example for the teammates around him over his time in the Majors.l
TORONTO
Kevin Gausman
A THIRD-PLACE finish in American League Cy Young Award voting only begins to illustrate the dominance Kevin Gausman displayed in 2023. The 33-year-old right-hander racked up 237 strikeouts over 185 innings pitched, leaving no room to question his status as Blue Jays ace.
Entering the third season of a five-year deal he signed with Toronto in December of 2021, Gausman is expected to lead this rotation once
again, relying heavily on a four-seam fastball –sits at 95 mph and can reach up to 99 mph –and a splitter that has baffled hitters year after year. Gausman also throws an effective slider and the occasional changeup, which gives him four effec-
During his first two seasons with the Blue Jays Gausman posted a 3.25 ERA
BY JULIA KREUZ
tive pitches to work with as a starter.
But success wasn’t always guaranteed for the Centennial, Col., native. After being selected out of Louisiana State University at No. 4 overall by the Orioles in the 2012 MLB Draft, Gausman struggled to find his footing in the Majors, bouncing from Baltimore to Atlanta to Cincinnati before rediscovering his dominance with the Giants in 2020-21. That’s when the splitter became Gausman’s primary tool, leading to an impressive uptick in his strikeout numbers while ensuring some welcome longevity. The breakout also secured him a longterm deal with the Blue Jays, and that partnership has yielded stellar results thus far.
Gausman kicked off his tenure with his new team by going 35 1/3 innings without issuing a walk or allowing a home run. In doing so, he became the first starting pitcher since Cy Young to begin a season with five straight starts without a walk or a homer in the World Series era. He followed that up with a second career All-Star selection last season, when he led the American League in strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings (11.5) while pitching to a 3.16 ERA. Gausman delivered 20 quality starts out of 31 in total in 2023 –a mark that ranked tied for third in the AL and tied for fifth in the Majors.
During his first two seasons with the Blue Jays, Gausman has posted a 3.25 ERA and a 24-19 record over 359 2/3 innings pitched. Just as important as the nasty repertoire and the workhorse mentality is his dependability as a guy who’s always ready to give manager John Schneider at least six solid innings of work every five days.l
Kevin Kiermaier
THE FAN-FAVOURITE defensive phenom is back to patrol the Blue Jays’ centrefield in 2024. Kevin Kiermaier, a former Platinum Glove recipient, is set for a second season in Toronto after delivering career numbers at the plate in 2023.
The 33-year-old Fort Wayne, Ind., native produced a 3.9 WAR last season, according to Baseball Reference, posting a .265 batting average with a .741 OPS, 36 RBIs and 35 extra-base hits while hitting mostly from the No. 9 spot in the lineup. Those offensive numbers paired well with 13 Outs Above Average and an arm strength that ranked in Major League Baseball’s 95th percentile, good for his fourth career Gold Glove Award.
Defence has been Kiermaier’s calling card through 11 years in the Majors. A former 31st round pick with the Rays in 2010, the Parkland College alum carved out an indispensable role for himself by pairing sound skills with tireless preparation and highlight-reel plays at centre. He
made his debut with Tampa Bay in 2013 –in the club’s Wild Card tiebreaking 163rd game –and established himself as a regular contributor the following year. Kiermaier was held to just 63 games in 2022 –his final year with the Rays –before switching American League East alliances and joining the Blue Jays the following season. The move worked well for both sides, prompting a reunion on another one-year contract for the upcoming season.
The elite glove was expected, but the offensive production was a welcome addition to the Blue Jays’ lineup. Kiermaier’s stated goal at the plate was to make solid contact as
Defence has been Kiermaier’s calling card through 11 years in the Majors
BY JULIA KREUZ
often as possible, without worrying much about hitting for power or putting the ball over the fence. That resulted in a .321 batting average per balls in play, signalling quality contact and a penchant for getting on base. His 14 stolen bases also showed that speed is still a prominent element in Kiermaier’s game, and he quickly became one of the most prolific bottomof-the-order hitters in the game. His game plan and contact ability also allowed the top of the lineup to shine, though, since guys like George Springer, Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got an increased number of chances to hit with a runner on base or in scoring position.
Kiermaier’s mindset heading into the 2024 season?
“I’m as motivated as I’ve ever been right now,” he said.l
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TRIVIA
BY JOHN IABONI
1 How many MLB pitchers tossed 200+ innings in 2023?
A Nine B None C Two D Five
2 From 1977 through 2023, who was the only Blue Jay with multiple five-hit games in one season?
A Bo Bichette B John Olerud
C Frank Catalanotto D Paul Molitorr
3 Who led the Majors in triples last season?
A Corbin Carroll B Bobby Witt Jr.
C Gunnar Henderson D Kevin Kiermaier
4 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (at 23 years, 182 days) became the youngest Blue Jay to hit 100 home runs. What team did he victimize for that milestone?
A Cleveland B Boston
C Tampa Bay D Detroit
5 Name the lone Blue Jays closer with multiple seasons of 20-or-more saves before the MLB All-Star Break?
A B.J. Ryan B Jordan Romano
C Tom Henke D Billy Koch
6 Who holds the MLB single-season record for most runs batted in by a leadoff hitter?
A Ronald Acuna Jr. B George Springer C Mookie Betts D Alfonso Soriano
7 Who is the Blue Jays all-time leader in games played, hits and triples?
A Tony Fernandez B Lloyd Moseby
C Vernon Wells D Carlos Delgado
8 Kevin Gausman’s first MLB strikeout came against the Blue Jays in the opening inning of his MLB debut at Toronto on May 23, 2013. What slugger did he K?
A Melky Cabrera B Adam Lind
C Jose Bautista D Edwin Encarnacion
9 Who was the last pitcher to earn unanimous selection for the American League Cy Young Award prior to Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees in 2023?
A Justin Verlander B Roger Clemens
C Johan Santana D Pedro Martinez
CHRIS BASSITT
ANSWERS
1 D Five pitchers reached 200-or-more innings in 2023: Logan Webb, Giants (216.0), Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks (210.0), Gerrit Cole, Yankees (209.0), Miles Mikolas, Cardinals (201.1) and Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays (200.0).
2 A Entering 2024, Bo Bichette was the only Blue Jay with multiple five-hit games in one season: Versus Tampa Bay on April 14, 2023 and at Boston on May 1, 2023.
3 B Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. was the MLB leader with 11 triples in 2023.
4 C Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 100th MLB home run came off Drew Rasmussen of the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on September 14, 2022.
5 B Jordan Romano was the sole Blue Jays closer with multiple seasons of 20or-more saves before the MLB All-Star Break: 20 in 2022 and a club-record 26 in 2023.
6 C Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers set the MLB standard for leadoff hitters with 107 RBI in 2023.
7 A Tony Fernandez is the Blue Jays alltime leader in games (1,450), hits (1,583) and triples (72).
8 D Kevin Gausman froze Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion looking for the first K of his MLB career.
9 A Justin Verlander of the Houston Astros received all 30 first-place votes as AL Cy Young Award recipient in 2022 and Gerrit Cole repeated that sweep last season.l
BO BICHETTE
COURAGE. COMPASSION. COMMITMENT.
CUPE’s 740,000 members are on the front lines keeping your community strong.
Through leadership and unwavering work ethic, Bichette is ready for what’s next. The Blue Jays’ star shortstop prides himself on constantly evolving, a trait that has helped him thrive in five Major League seasons
BO BICHETTEhas yet to reach his peak.
At 26 years old and entering his sixth Major League season, the Blue Jays’ prized shortstop has turned himself into one of the most talented sluggers in baseball. He’s a two-time All-Star and a two-time hits leader, garnering American League Most Valuable Player votes in each of the past three seasons.
Ask him about any of his accolades, though, and you’ll likely get an answer that focuses on how much more there is to accomplish.
“Everything is just continued maturity,” Bichette said last season. “The more experience that you have in doing anything, you either learn from it or you don’t. I try to learn from everything that I can.”
That impetus shows up on and off the field, starting with his demeanour in the clubhouse and extending all the way to an at-bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.
With the bulk of his big-league career still ahead of him, Bichette has already established himself as one of the hardest workers in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse, a routine-oriented guy who remains focused on elevating his craft.
Baseball happens every day. Evolving with it also needs to be a daily effort.
“I want to lead by example, and I think the first step of that is being a consistent player on the field,” said Bichette. “Throughout the ups and downs of the team, I've tried to stay focused, tried to take care of my own job and lead that way. And I think I've done a decent job of that.”
There’s some modesty in that choice of words.
Bichette – who was named as the sixth-best shortstop in the big leagues by MLB.com this January – is entering the 2024 season with a career .299 batting average and an .826 OPS. He’s hit at least 20 home runs in each of the past three seasons, and he’s constantly sat atop his team’s leaderboard in most offensive categories.
“Throughout the ups and downs of the team, I've tried to stay focused ...”
Yet, the consensus around the league is that there’s at least one more level to his game.
“He does have the belief that he will continue to be one of the best players in the game – and so do we,” general manager Ross Atkins said last February, after the Blue Jays signed Bichette to a three-year extension prior to Spring Training. “If that weren’t the case, this deal doesn’t happen. These types of deals happen with MVP-calibre players, and we believe that he is an MVP-calibre player and will continue to be.”
batting average and batting average per balls in play (BABIP). Those are the projections of a pure hitter, or a “hitting savant,” as manager John Schneider said more than once last year.
According to FanGraphs’ ZiPS projections for the upcoming season, Bichette is expected to lead the Blue Jays in wins above replacement (WAR) and runs created, as well as
“It’s impressive what he can do in the box,” Schneider said last September. “It’s an instant shot of energy to our offence.”
Just as important as Bichette’s prolificness is his consistency. Take last season, for example, a campaign in which the Blue Jays went through their fair share of offensive adversity. Save for two stints on the 10-day injured list, Bichette maintained his level of production through virtually the whole year, all while cutting down his strikeout totals from 155 in 697 plate appearances in 2022 to 115 over 601 plate appearances last season.
“Bo has been consistent all year,” Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – Bichette’s teammate since long before the two young sluggers made the Majors –said last season. “He’s one of the guys who works very, very hard for everything that he does. Seeing him hit is great, especially when he has runners on. He does anything to bring them in.”
It’s true that Bichette will come alive with runners on base. Last season, his OPS jumped from .767 with the bases empty to .885 with men on, topping off at .929 with runners in scoring position.
An athletic swing and an above-average
"I always knew what I was capable of, but I now understand who I am.”
eye in the batter’s box have paired quite nicely with Bichette’s competitive fire. Foul ball after foul ball, the slugger will compete with any pitcher in the league until he finds something he can drive.
It all boils down to confidence.
“I just think I found out that I'm really good, to be honest," Bichette said last Spring Training. "I always knew what I was capable of, but I now understand who I am.”
Those realizations have helped him off the field, too.
Bichette may often seem quiet or introspective as he goes about his work – that’s usually what laser focus looks like from the outside. But he’s vocal when he needs to be. And when he talks, others listen.
Those skills have been honed since long before Bichette reached the Majors. Through his career, he has cemented his status as a leader by uniting talent and a strong work ethic. The final ingredient, though, is availability. In a clubhouse filled with veterans and All-Stars, Bichette wants to be thought of as a friend.
“[It’s about] being available, being accessible to my teammates when they feel like they need it,” said Bichette. “First off, just being a friend, and having them know that they can come to you for whatever.”
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It certainly helps that many of the guys in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse have been teammates since long before their Major League days. Toronto’s homegrown core of Bichette, Guerrero, Cavan Biggio, Danny Jansen, Jordan Romano and others came up through the Minors together, enduring wins, losses and long bus rides as a unit before earning their promotion to the bigs.
Bichette – who grew up around baseball as the son of former Silver Slugger and four-time All-Star Dante Bichette – still remembers the early days of his career, and the challenges that came with it.
Life is certainly more comfortable now. Still, excelling in the game’s highest level comes with its own set of trials. Acknowl-edging the difficulties is the first step toward overcoming them. Being open about the whole process is a strong tool for trust and empathy.
“As a kid, you look at the big leagues and you think it's fun all the time,” Bichette said. “And it is, at the end of the day. I mean, we're living out our dream, and we're so blessed to be here, doing this for a living. But there's a lot of other stuff. There's pressure, there's anxieties, there's a lot of different things to deal with.”
It’s all part of the journey.
The 2024 Blue Jays have lofty aspirations and quite a bit of history built up. As the club looks to learn from heartbreak and put together a deep postseason run this year, Bichette will likely be front and center in those efforts.
The surest way to get there is to keep evolving.
“I think we need to be fearless, honestly,”
Bichette said last September. “I don’t think that any team accomplishes anything special without being fearless. We need to be fearless, go out there and play our game, be aggressive and get after it.”l
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BLUE JAYS
BY THE NUMBER5
BY JOHN IABONI
Double-digit stolen-base seasons (six) achieved by KEVIN KIERMAIER when he was successful 14-of-15 times during his first year with the Blue Jays in 2023. He had last reached double-digit steals in a season with 19 as a Tampa Bay Ray in 2019.
11 & 100
Japanese-born pitchers with 100 career MLB starts when YUSEI KIKUCHI stood on the hill at Tampa Bay on May 24, 2023. He began 2024 with the ninth-most MLB starts by a Japanese-born pitcher with 122.
Leadoff home runs (57) by GEORGE SPRINGER entering 2024, putting him second all-time to Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson (81). As a Blue Jay from 2021 through ’23, Springer smashed 18 leadoff homers, including a season club-record nine in 2022
4&1.315
Number of Blue Jays (four) to homer in their first career MLB at-bat when DAVIS SCHNEIDER connected off James Paxton in the top of the second inning at Boston on August 4, 2023. Al Woods (April 7, 1977), Junior Felix (May 4, 1989) and J.P. Arencibia (August 7, 2010) preceded Schneider with that feat. Schneider’s scorching 1.315 OPS through his first 25 games was the highest ever in MLB’s modern (since 1901) era.
VARSHO
18, 11&29
Defensive runs saved by DAULTON VARSHOin centre field (18) and left field (11) in 2023. His total DRS (29) ranked first in the Majors, two more than San Diego’s Fernando Tatis Jr.
JORDAN ROMANO
51 & 36
American League-high saves (51) locked down by the Blue Jays bullpen last season. Leader JORDAN ROMANOclosed out 36-of-40 chances for his second consecutive 36-save season. His career total entering this season: 97 saves in 109 opportunities.
77
MLB-leading opposite-field hits (77) generated by BO BICHETTElast season, 11 more than runner-up Luis Arraez of the Miami Marlins.
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VISIT THE OFFICIAL TEAM SHOP OF THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS
‘A sense of purpose
Toronto’s quiet revolution has led to renewed trust in a familiar lineup
B Y J U L I A K R E U Z
The Blue Jays have good reason to put their faith in their own guys – all three tiers of them
Toronto’s offseason brought some new faces, but for the most part the club is rolling with a similar club to what we ’ ve seen in years past. More than a market-driven strategy, this was a vote of confidence in a lineup projected for a big step up and a pitching staff that dominated in 2023
It’s a movement that started as soon as last year ’ s last pitch was thrown In the end, the Blue Jays were focused on three key areas
“You've got young players that provide you with some upside and are certainly just happy to be there,” Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro listed late in Spring Training.
“You've got players in their prime who are focused on a lot of things, but are probably the most dependable performance-wise And then you ’ ve got veteran players that are selfless, bring some wisdom and want to win ”
By pairing the prime-poised core of Vladimir Guerrero Jr , Bo Bichette and Alejandro Kirk with the veteran leadership of George Springer and Justin Turner, Toronto believes this lineup can be as electric as it is committed
That starts with the homegrown kids
“It’s been clear that guys game in with a sense of purpose, a sense of determination,” Shapiro said late in Spring Training “And they’re ready to
BLUE JAYS VS. MARINERS
APRIL 8-10, 2024
’
take the next step – especially those younger players in their career It’s kind of moving from young players into the prime of their careers So, that’s what I’ve been seeing And I think that’s a large part of our offseason ”
Bo and Vlad are both entering their sixth season in the Majors Kirk has four years under his belt Daulton Varsho, no longer a newcomer on this squad, is also in his fifth MLB season. All of them are healthy and in better shape than the year prior.
Last season ’ s numbers were solid, but this group can draw so many better adjectives Add in the veteran power of Springer and Turner, and you ’ ve got a real contender
“It's a deep lineup,” Turner said during the spring “Up
JUSTIN TURNER
and down, guys are taking quality at-bats, good turns, hitting the balls hard and using the whole field There’s a lot of different ways that we can beat teams We did a pretty good job finding ways to manufacture runs all spring training ”
There’s one more reason for the versatility in that lineup, though, and it comes from the final category listed by Shapiro: the young guys with plenty of upside
The Blue Jays found that in the likes of Davis Schneider and Ernie Clement, a pair of youthful infielders who can play multiple positions while remaining offensively athletic Schneider caught fire in August of last year, en route to one of the most successful MLB debuts in history Clement, meanwhile, quietly put together some excellent numbers late in 2023
He then secured a spot on this team by missing on two pitches out of 63 swings in Spring Training while providing effective contact and even some power
All of that, added up, is what the Blue Jays betted on this offseason
“We just took the best strategy we could build based upon the players in place,” Shapiro said. “We felt [good about] the depth of experiences, the commitment of our own guys -- along with the talent We believed in our
Another major focus this winter was on how to optimize communication with players –especially on the offensive side
guys, that's the bottom line. We believed in their talent ”
They also found more effective ways to optimize that talent Another major focus this winter was on how to optimize communication with players – especially on the offensive side –and ensure that their approach was as simplified as possible in each at-bat
That translated into a new role for Don Mattingly (Offensive Coordinator, in addition to Bench Coach) and a promotion to Matt Hague (Assistant Hitting Coordinator, after serving one season as Triple-A Buffalo’s hitting coordinator and three more seasons in the Blue Jays’ Minor League coaching staff.
Those elements encompass the quiet revolution of the Blue Jays’ lineup
“What we're encouraged with is the conversations before, during, after games, and the plan that they're putting out there every day,” said manager John Schneider “The intent has been really good when they're getting into good at-bats ”
One can seldom cash in this quickly, but the Blue Jays’ internal investment paid off instantly, as the club erupted for an 8-2 win over the Rays on Opening Day Guerrero, Springer and Cavan Biggio – yet another homegrown guy looking for a step forward – homered in a much-welcome slugfest.
It was the embodiment of what they preached all spring.l
HOWTO SCORE
Take home a record of today’s Blue Jays action by marking the scorecard found in the centrespread. Here’s one method of scoring a game:
1 Every defensive position on the field has a number, as seen above - the shortstop is number 6, the catcher number 2, first baseman number 3, etc.
2 When a batter grounds out to shortstop, he is retired “63”, i.e. the shortstop throws to first base for the out. A batter grounding into a double play - hitting a ground ball to the second baseman, who throws to the shortstop to retire the runner at second, the shortstop then throws back to first to retire the batter - is said to have grounded into a “4-6-3” double play.
3 Using these play codes below, coupled with the defensive position numbers at right, will allow you to record the results of each batter’s at-bat, every inning throughout the game. A line drive out to right field, would be L9; a pop up to the third baseman would be scored P5, and so on.
4 The bottom of the diamond shape should be considered home plate. Progress is counterclockwise with advance to first base indicated in the lower right corner, to second base in the upper right corner, to third base in the upper left corner, and to home in the lower left corner.
In the example shown at right, the batter reached first on an error by the second baseman, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. If the run scores the diamond is filled in.
PLAY CODES
HBHit Batsman
SAC Sacrifice Bunt
BBBase on Balls
IBBIntentional Walk
PBPassed Ball
KSStruck Out Swinging
KLStruck Out Looking
FFly Ball
SFSacrifice Fly
WPWild Pitch
LLine Drive
PPop Fly
FOFoul Out
UUnassisted
EError
SBStolen Base
CSCaught Stealing
DPDouble Play
u Player Scores
In the example shown below, the players are listed in the order in which they take their turn at bat. The number after their name is their defensive position when they’re in the field, except for Turner, the designated hitter (DH).l
SAMPLE INNING
Springer leads off and flies out to centre. Bichette singles to right. Guerrero Jr. walks. Turner hits a home run to left. Biggio is hit by a pitch, then advances on a wild pitch with Jansen at bat. Jansen gets an infield hit to third (Biggio holding at second). Varsho grounds to the shortstop and reaches first base on an error. Bases loaded. KinerFalefa strikes out. Kiermaier grounds out to the shortstop to end the inning. Three runs; three hits; three runners left on base.
SPRINGER 9
BICHETTE 6
GUERRERO JR. 3
TURNER DH
BIGGIO 4
JANSEN 2
VARSHO 7
KINER-FALEFA 5
KIERMAIER 8
LiUNA BUILDS
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SEATTLE MARINERS
3 CRAWFORD, J.P.: IF 4 ROJAS, Josh: IF 6 HILL, Perry: COACH
7 POLANCO, Jorge: IF 8 CANZONE, Dominic: OF 9 SERVAIS, Scott: MANAGER
14 ACTA, Manny: COACH
16 URÍAS, Luis: IF 17 HANIGER, Mitch: OF 18 GARVER, Mitch: C
20 RALEY, Luke: OF 23 FRANCE, Ty: IF 25 MOORE, Dylan: IF 29 RALEIGH, Cal: C
The Seattle Mariners reached the playoffs in 2022 for the first time in 21 years. However, stumbles in March/April (12-16), June (9-15) and September/ October (12-17) last season hurt strong results in May (17-11), July (17-9) and August (21-6). At 88-74, the Mariners placed third in the AL West behind the 90-72 Houston Astros who took first on a tiebreaker over the Wild Card-bound Texas Rangers
The Mariners also missed out on the final AL Wild Card because the Toronto Blue Jays finished 89-73 The pitching-sound Mariners put their offseason focus on altering their offensive look for 2024. B Y J O H N I A B O N I
While Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies led the Majors with 215 strikeouts, the M’s saw Eugenio Suarez (214) second, Teoscar Hernandez (211) third and Julio Rodriguez (175) tied for eighth
Even after 22 home runs and 96 runs batted in, Suarez was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks on November 22. Free agent Hernandez, with 23 homers and 93 RBI, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Of course, centre-fielder Rodriguez, at 23 years of age, is the club’s reigning – and continuing to rise – superstar Over his first two MLB seasons, he was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2022, a two-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger recipient
He is capably surrounded and supported by the likes of shortstop J P Crawford, the
AL leader with 94 walks last season, and Cal Raleigh, whose 30 homers topped MLB catchers in 2023 after his 27 in 2022 also led that position
Of his 59 career home runs entering 2024, Raleigh had belted his most (seven) against the Blue Jays, four of them in five games at Rogers Centre He even added one homer in two postseason games here in 2022.
Also back is first baseman Ty France an All-Star in 2022 when he produced 20 homers and 83 RBI before dipping to 12 round-trippers and 58 RBI last season France led the Majors in 2023 when he was hit by pitches a franchise-record 34 times
JULIO RODRIGUEZ
Bats added for 2024 included outfielder Mitch Haniger, designated hitter Mitch Garver, switch-hitting infielder Jorge Polanco, outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley and catcher Seby Zavala
Haniger was a popular Mariner from 201722 His career-best 39 homer/100 RBI season occurred in 2021 The San Francisco Giants signed him as a free agent but injuries limited him to 61 games in 2023 Haniger was traded to Seattle along with pitcher Anthony DeSclafani on January 5 for pitcher Robbie Ray.
It didn’t take long for Haniger to endear himself as he and outfielder Dylan Moore each supplied two-run home runs in Seattle’s Opening Day 6-4 home loss to the Boston Red Sox
Meanwhile, DeSclafani’s tenure as a Mariner was brief He was dealt to the Twins on January 29 for Polanco who’d spent 10 productive seasons with Minnesota Also earlier in January, the
Mariners shipped shortstop Jose Caballero to the Tampa Bay Rays for Raley who was a pleasant surprise in 2023 with 19 homers, 49 RBI and 14 stolen bases
In late December, Garver was signed as a free agent after capping his two seasons with Texas by factoring in the first-ever World Series Championship for the Rangers Garver generated 19 homers and 50 RBI during the regular season in 2023 then added three homers and 14 RBI in 14 postseason games.
Third baseman Josh Rojas and outfielder Dominic Canzone were both obtained in the swap that sent closer Paul Sewald to the Arizona Diamondbacks at last season ’ s trade deadline
Opening Day starter Luis Castillo was 14-9 last season with 219 strikeouts over 197 innings
The Mariners began this season with key bullpen members on the IL.
pitched in 33 starts. While his stuff was good in the 2024 season opener against the Red Sox his command abandoned him He surrendered four runs on six hits with five strikeouts over five innings and took the loss
outs/87 2 innings) comprised the formidable rotation that led the Majors with a WHIP of 1 14 in 2023 With Woo on the IL to s t a r t
starter spot.
Andres Munoz seized the closer role after Sewald’s departure and secured 13 saves in 16 opportunities. In the process, Munoz compiled 67 strikeouts over 49 innings pitched in 52 appearances
Unfortunately, the Mariners began this season with key bullpen members Matt Brash (elbow inflammation) and Gregory Santos (shoulder inflammation) on the Injured List Kingston-born Brash paced the Majors with 78 appearances in 2023, double his total from his rookie season He finished with a record of 9-4, ERA of 3 06 and 107 strikeouts in 70 2 innings
Fortunately, Ryne Stanek, a member of Houston’s 2022 World Series squad, along with former Baltimore Oriole Austin Voth were offseason acquisitions for the bullpen.l
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BLUeJayS
PROSPECTS In the system:
Tiedemann
Minor-league prospects are the major-league stars of the future, and our Toronto Blue Jays have no shortage of young players to be excited about. Many of the team’s prospects will be trying to be the 2024 version of Davis Schneider by putting up impressive minor-league numbers and forcing their way up to The Show before wowing fans and team management. Due to trades over the last couple of seasons for more established major-league help, much of the Blue Jays’ top prospect list is made up of recent draftees and young international free agents who are likely several seasons away from call-ups to the big club. However, there is also a bevy of older players who may be approaching the end of the arbitrary “prospect” life cycle, but that just means that they’re more ready to make immediate major-league impacts. Here is a brief look at some of the most exciting and intriguing players in the Blue Jays pipeline.
BY ANDREW BARRON
RICKY TIEDEMANN
Still the crown jewel of the Blue Jays’ prospect ranks, Tiedemann once again impressed when he pitched in 2023. Despite being derailed by injuries, the sky’s the limit for the tall lefthander. He only threw 44 innings last year, but those innings pushed the 6-foot-4 Tiedemann from single-A all the up to within reach of the majors.
He has dominated in every stop along his minor-league journey, so a call-up to the big club seems all but inevitable for this California kid. He only pitched four innings after reaching triple-A Buffalo last year but still racked up six strikeouts, a prodigious skill for which he’s become known. If all goes well and he can stay healthy, look for Tiedemann to be wearing Blue Jays blue in 2024, possibly even as early as the All-Star break in July.
Ricky
The club’s first-round pick in 2023, Nimmala has shown great makeup and impressive offensive weapons for such a young player. The 18-year-old still has a long way to go before his big-league debut, but the future is very bright for this native of Tampa, Florida. He plays a cornerstone position – shortstop – with enough arm strength and athletic ability to play it well. It will be equal parts interesting and exciting to watch Nimmala grow into a big-leaguer.
ADDISON BARGER
Time may be running out on Barger as a prospect as he’s approaching his 25th birthday, but there’s still lots to be excited about. Good contact skills and a versatile defensive profile make Barger an ideal fit for this Blue Jays team. If he performs well in Buffalo at the start the season to force the hand of the Blue Jays brass – and if the big-league need arises –he could see a call-up before long.
Martinez continues to put up big power numbers with 28 minor-league bombs last year through both doubleand triple-A. Though he’s been listed on top-prospect lists for years, Martinez is still only 22 years old. With a powerful arm, the 2018 signee out of the Dominican Republic should feel right at home in either of the left-side infield positions, though he’s probably better-suited to the hot corner. Martinez has also shown a willingness to improve his approach at the plate
ARJUN NIMMALA
ORELVIS MARTINEZ
damiano PaLmegiani
and work on his swing-and-miss issues, which appears to be his only Achilles heel.
DAMIANO PALMEGIANI
Other than the aforementioned Davis Schneider, Palmegiani may have opened the most eyes among Blue Jays fans and the front office in 2023 as he impressed at two levels with his contact and on-base numbers. A solid defender, Palmegiani, who is 24 years old, plays third base with the ability to shift over to first if the need arises.
The Venezuela-born Palmegiani, who represented Canada at the 2023 World Baseball Classic after moving to Vancouver as a 4-year-old, started 2023 in double-A but earned a promotion to triple-A where he put up a .981 OPS in 96 plate appearances. Sure, that’s a small sample, but it’s still lots of reason for optimism.
ALAN RODEN
Though he has average power, the 2022 draftee has the ability to play both corner outfield spots. He impressed with an .881 OPS with double-A New Hampshire, so look for Roden to push his way up to triple-A in 2024, with an outside chance at a major-league call-up later in the season.
SPENCER HORWITZ
Horwitz received a big-league callup in 2023 and put up a positive WAR (0.3) in a small sample size of 44 plate appearances, though that included his first big-league home run. Horwitz may have to fight for playing time due to being blocked by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base, but he’s also shown versatility by also playing left field. He features the same high-OBP profile as other Blue Jays
prospects, but time may be running out, as the 2019 24th-round draftee is already 26 years old.
BRANDON BARRIERA
Another lanky lefty the Blue Jays boast, Barriera still has to fill out his 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame before the rigours of major-league baseball can be in the conversation. However, his arm – which produces a mid-90s fastball and above average slider – is just as scintillating as ever. After three separate arm injuries in 2023, the hope is that Barriera can stay healthy in 2024 and start working his way up the rungs of the minorleague ladder.
LEO JIMENEZ
A defence-first middle infielder, Jimenez put up middling offensive numbers until he reached double-A New Hampshire where he surprised everyone with an .808 OPS in 333 plate appearances. He came back down to Earth a bit after his promotion to triple-A, but there’s lots to be optimistic about regarding this 22year-old free-agent signee from Panama.
CHAD DALLAS
A 2021 4th-round pick, Dallas boasts an impressive starter’s arse-
BRandon BaRRieRa
SPenceR HoRwiTz
nal, primarily a sweeping slider, a mid-90s fastball, and the occasional curveball to keep opposing batters on their toes. With 123.1 total innings pitched last year, along with 10 K/9 in double-A, all Dallas would seem to have to do is keep his walks in check and he may be relied upon to make some relief appearances, or possibly even a spot start or two for the bluebirds in 2024.
FRANKLIN ROJAS
A recent signing from the 2024 international class out of Venezuela, Rojas, despite being just 17 years old, is MLB’s 27th-ranked international prospect. He is a solid defender who moves well with both quickness and agility. Rojas is – once again – known for high contact skills and hitting the ball hard. It will be a number of years before Rojas is knocking on the MLB door, but he's yet another name to keep our eyes on in the future.
OTHER BLUE JAYS PROSPECTS OF NOTE:
Yosver Zulueta: There were a few too many hits and walks for the fireballing Zulueta in 64 triple-A innings in 2023, but he still put up an impressive 10.3 K/9. He seems to be just a step or two away from putting it all together.
Dasan Brown: It’s an understatement to call Brown “fast” as the toolsy outfielder already has the defensive chops to earn an MLB call-up. We’re just waiting for his offensive skills to catch up a bit.
Enmanuel Bonilla: The Blue Jays signing the 18-year-old Bonilla for an eye-popping $4.1 million in 2023 goes a long way in showing their optimism with how he’ll develop. Bonilla’s is a name to remember as he grows stronger and puts more professional at-bats under his belt.
Manuel Beltre: Another international free-agent signing, Beltre has impressed by reaching single-A Dunedin as a 19-year-old, a full two years younger than the average player at that stage.
Josh Kasevich: The 23-year-old is yet another player who fits the front office modus operandi with defensive versatility – solid at shortstop and occasionally at third base – while showing great skill at making contact and avoiding strikeouts.
T.J. Brock: Despite losing time due to injury, Brock has an overly impressive slider and mid-tohigh-90s fastball, both of which combine to give him some outrageous strikeout numbers, which alone might earn him a call-up in 2024.l
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BY MITCH BANNON
Back ToThe Playoffs BLUE JAYS 2023SEASON
IN 2023, THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS further solidified themselves as one of the American League’s top contenders. The club reached the playoffs for a second straight campaign, finishing the year with 89 wins and earning a wild card bid in the 2023 MLB Postseason.
While a historic start from the Tampa Bay Rays and strong surge from the young Baltimore Orioles put the AL East pennant out of reach, the Jays were able to fend off division rivals in New York and Boston to survive the formidable AL East and earn a playoff spot.
The 2023 Blue Jays posted winning months in five of the six full months of play, but a blistering start in April certainly helped the club’s playoff chances. The Jays rattled off a 17-10 record in the month, including snapping Tampa Bay’s season-opening 13-game win streak with a 6-3 win on April 14th.
Much of Toronto’s April success was aided by third baseman MATT CHAPMAN’s torrid start. In his second season with the Jays, Chapman opened up his 2023 campaign with a .384 batting average (BA) and 21 Runners
Kevin Gausman
Yusei KiKuchi
José Berríos
Batted In (RBI) in his first 27 games.
The Blue Jays’ hot start also came under the leadership of JOHN SCHNEIDER, who entered 2023 for his first full season as the team’s manager. Schneider, who took over as bench boss midway through the 2022 season, led the Blue Jays to a 43-38 record at home in 2023 and 46-35 on the road. As one of the league’s most consistent teams, Toronto started off the year with a 50-41 record prior to the All-Star Break and posted a 39-32 mark after.
Though the big bats helped Schneider’s squad to wins in 2023, the story of Toronto’s season was elite run prevention.
As a pitching staff, the Blue Jays earned the fourth-best Earned Run Average (ERA) in baseball, ranking top-ten in MLB in both rotation and bullpen ERA.
nings. HYUN JIN RYU and ALEK MANOAH also pitched in, each making over 10 starts for the Jays.
Gausman wasn’t the only Toronto pitcher to earn Cy Young consideration, either, with Bassitt finishing 10th in the American League voting. In his first season with the Blue Jays, Bassitt more than delivered on the consistency and finesse fans anticipated when he signed a threeyear deal in free agency. The righty was tied for the AL-lead in starts (33) and wins (16) last season.
JaYs were aBle to fend off new YorK and Boston and earn a plaYoff spot
The starting staff was led by another brilliant season from veteran ace KEVIN GAUSMAN, who topped the staff with a 3.16 ERA and led the American League with 237 strikeouts. Gausman finished third in American League Cy Young voting, earning votes for the award for a third straight season. Behind Gausman came a stable of workhorses, with JOSÉ BERRÍOS, CHRIS BASSITT and YUSEI KIKUCHI all making over 30 starts and surpassing 165 in-
Bassitt also made Blue Jays history in May, carving through Atlanta Braves bats for nine innings of scoreless baseball. The outing was Toronto’s first nine-inning shutout by a starter since Mark Buehrle in 2015 and the first nine-inning complete game for the Blue Jays since Marcus Stroman in 2017. Toronto’s rotation success also came thanks to a brilliant bounce-back season from Berríos. After allowing 199 hits and 100 earned runs in 2022, the Puerto Rican righty transformed back into his old self for the Jays in 2023. Berríos posted a 3.65 ERA, logged 189.2 innings, won 11 games, and even earned his first Gold Glove for brilliant defense.
Backing up Toronto’s strong rotation was one of the best bullpens in baseball. JORDAN ROMANO anchored the unit,
Jordan romano vladimir Guerrero Jr. Kevin Kiermaier
earning a second straight All-Star Game nod and finishing second in the American League with 36 saves.
Behind the Canadian closer, Toronto's bullpen featured strong seasons from YIMI GARCÍA, ERIK SWANSON, TIM MAYZA and others. Mayza was arguably the American League’s best left-handed reliever, posting a minuscule 1.52 ERA in 53.1 innings. Toronto’s relief core was further bolstered by the trade deadline addition of flame-throwing righty JORDAN HICKS, who regularly blew 100 MPH fastballs by opposing batters in the final stretch of the season.
Coupling an elite pitching staff with baseball’s best defense made Toronto one of the hardest teams to score against in MLB. Blue Jays fielders posted far-and-away the best team Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) in MLB and took home the Rawlings Gold Glove Team Award for the American League’s best defense in 2023. Three Toronto defenders – Chapman, Berríos and KEVIN KIERMAIER – also earned individual Glove Gloves.
most feared nine-hole hitters in baseball. Slapping singles, driving runners in, and stealing bases, Kiermaier posted his best offensive season since 2017.
Toronto’s lineup depth didn’t end with the veterans, either, with backstop DANNY JANSEN and utility man CAVAN BIGGIO carrying the offense at times, too. Jansen posted a career-high in homers (17) and RBI (53) before his season ended in September with a finger injury. Biggio was arguably the team’s hottest hitter entering the playoffs, posting a .277 average and .408 OBP in the final month of the regular season.
dannY Jansen posted a careerhiGh in homers (17) and rBi (53)
On the other side of the ball, the Blue Jays offense featured strong seasons from familiar faces and some new additions.
The top of Toronto’s lineup continued to be one of the most formidable forces in the American League in 2023, with GEORGE SPRINGER, VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR. and BO BICHETTE all reaching the 20-homer mark. After shifting over to mainly right field for the Blue Jays in 2023, Springer posted the most doubles (25) and stolen bases (20) of his Toronto tenure. Behind the leadoff man, Bichette and Guerrero Jr. continued to establish themselves as two of the best run-producers in baseball.
Toronto’s first baseman, Guerrero, notched a third straight season with over 90 RBI while the young shortstop, Bichette, continued to build on his unmatched contact skills. Had Bichette not missed a few weeks of the season due to injury, the young shortstop surely would've led the American League in hits for a third-straight season. Even still, Bichette finished with a BA of .306 and 53 extra-base hits.
Toronto’s run scoring in 2023 didn’t just come from the top of the lineup, though. After signing one-year deals with the Blue Jays in the 2022-23 offseason, BRANDON BELT and Kevin Kiermaier became instant contributors to the team’s clubhouse and offense. In just 103 games, Belt blasted 19 homers and a team-high .369 On-Base Percentage (OBP). On top of playing Gold Glove defense in centerfield, Kiermaier established himself as one of the
Toronto’s offense, defense, and pitching came together to earn the American League’s third wild card seed, matching up against the AL Central Division champion Minnesota Twins in the opening round.
The 2023 Blue Jays’ brilliant pitching carried into October, with Toronto’s hurlers holding the Twins to just five runs across two postseason contests. However, Minnesota’s arms performed just slightly better and the Twins ended Toronto’s season with a wild card series win.
Though the playoff exit ended the Blue Jays’ World Series aspirations, the 2023 season still gave plenty of hope for the future. In 2024, Toronto returns nearly the same pitching staff that carved through the American League last year and much of the same lineup core will be back in blue, as well. The Blue Jays further entrenched themselves as consistent contenders in 2023, and have all they need to push further into October for years to come.l
dannY Jansen
FAN SERVICES GUIDE
ACE
ACE is the Toronto Blue Jays official mascot and loves spending his time meeting fans! You can always find him dancing on the dugouts and entertaining fans throughout the stadium. ACE is always walking around the concourse taking photos with fans. ACE often makes appearances throughout the community when the Blue Jays are out of town, pending availability. Whether it’s a private party, corporate function, charitable event or birthday party, booking ACE can ruffle the feathers of any event! Inquire about ACE bookings please email acethemascot@bluejays.com.
Accessible Support Entrance
Although fans with accessible needs may enter Rogers Centre through any open gate, our designated accessible entrance is Gate 7, located on the south side of the building, close to Bremner Boulevard. Fans requiring accessible support are encouraged to enter through Gate 7. Elevators are also available at Rogers Centre Gates 3, 9 and 13.
Entrance points may vary from event to event. Fans requiring assistance or information regarding accessibility should contact our Fan Services Team by phone at 416-341-1000 or by email at fanfeedback@bluejays.com at least one (1) business day prior to their planned visit.
Advance Inside Ticket Window
During any Toronto Blue Jays home game, fans can make upgrade purchase inquires for their day-of-game seat by visiting this location on the 100-Level behind Section 140 - TBC with Box Office. The Inside Ticket Window is available when gates open until the end of the 5th inning.
Aisles & Aisles Etiquette
For the safety and enjoyment of other fans, Rogers Centre and the Toronto Blue Jays ask that you please do not sit or stand in the aisles. Aisle must be kept clear at all times.
While the game is on and ball is in play, fans are asked to wait at the top/entrance to the seating area until there is a break in play. This is not only for the safety of our fans due to the possibility of foul balls entering the stands, but also a courtesy to those fans who are already seated.
Cashless Payment
Rogers Centre is accepting cashless payment only. Reverse ATMs (cash input to receive a pre-loaded debit card) are available inside Jays Shop (Section 110) and at Section 141, and Section 508).
Cell Phone Charging Stations
For your convenience, we have Rogers Cell Phone charging stations located at all Fan Services locations. Locations on the Level 100 at Sections 124 & 141; Level 200 at Section 236; Level 500 at Sections 508 & 532. They will accommodate iPhone and Android devices.
Fan Assist
Fans are invited to make use of the Rogers Centre Fan Assist Program if they have an issue in their seating section or a question related to their experience. The process is quick and simple and by using the Fan Assist Program, fans are able to report issues in a discreet and convenient manner. Simply send us a text to (647) 559-0060 using your mobile phoneplease include your issue or question and seating section, row and seat number. Operators are standing by and participation in our service is free of charge; however, standard carrier text messaging & data charges will apply. Please note: Cell phone numbers that repeatedly send messages which are deemed fraudulent or irrelevant may be prevented from communicating in the future.
Fan Services
Fan Services booths are located on the 100-Level near Sections 124 & 141 on the 200-Level near Sections 212 and 236 and on the 500-Level near Sections 508 and 532. Fans can check strollers or wheelchairs, obtain Misplaced ACE Wristbands for their children and receive assistance related to lost persons or items, pass along feedback and make other general inquiries.
50/50 Draw
Out popular 50/50 draws offer fans the chance to support kids in communities across Ontario and win big! In 2022, Blue Jays fans raised $10 million to support Jays Care programs to level the playing field for children and youth. Fans 18 years of age or older can buy tickets online by visiting blue-
jays.com/5050 or by finding our friendly sellers in bright red t-shirts located throughout the stadium. The Jays Care 50/50 draw is regulated by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. For more information, please visit bluejays.com/5050. Thank you for your support!
First Aid
First Aid rooms are located on each level near Sections 129/130. Fans requiring first aid assistance are urged to contact any member of the Rogers Centre staff or report to one of our Fan Services or First Aid locations. A certified physician and registered nurses are available during all Blue Jays games. Ascent EMS will also provide paramedics throughout the facility. Please note the opening and staffing of First Aid locations can sometimes depend on ticket sales on different levels of the stadium.
Foul Balls, Homerun Balls & Bats
All fans are asked to stay alert throughout the game for foul balls or bats that might leave the playing area. Fans are permitted to keep any foul and home run balls that are hit into the seats but are asked to be cautious and courteous to others when collecting a ball. Bats entering the stands must be returned if requested by the Blue Jays or visiting team. Fans are prohibited from throwing balls back onto the field. Violators are subject to ejection and possible arrest. Any fan that interferes with a ball in play or the game in any way is subject to ejection from the ballpark and or criminal prosecution.
In/Out Privileges
Security reasons preclude Rogers Centre from allowing in/out privileges to individuals who choose to leave the building. Exceptions can be made in special circumstances through our Fan Services locations. In these situations, a Security supervisor will be called in to assist with your need.
Jays Shop
Fans are invited to shop at Jays Shop, the Official Team Shop of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located beside Gate 5, Jays Shop is the largest team store in all of Canada. Fans can enter from street level between 10:00am to 5:00pm, seven days a week (note: hours subject to change on Toronto Blue Jays home game days). Fans attending Blue Jays games can enter the store at Section 110 upon entering Rogers Centre. For more information, please call (416) 341-2904.
Please note: During Toronto Blue Jays games, Jays Shop at Gate 5 will not be accessible to the public and is only accessible to ticketed fans attending the game.
Blue Jays Authentics
Blue Jays Authentics offers one-of-a-kind authenticated Toronto Blue Jays merchandise directly from the field. Items are certified under Major League Baseball’s Authentication Program. Authenticated products available for sale include baseballs, jerseys, bats, bases and much more. Add to your collection or get a unique keepsake from your Rogers Centre experience by visiting the Jays Shop location at Section 146.
Jersey Customization
Jays Shop is pleased to provide jersey cresting on location for fans purchasing jerseys at all Jays Shop locations. For more information, please call 416-341-2904.
Jr. Jays Club
Jr. Jays Club is a membership program for kids 14 and under built to create memorable experiences for young fans to build a lasting connection to the team. There are two Jr. Jays Club Membership options; Jr. Jays Club Memberships (Free) and Jr. Jays Club All-Star Memberships (Paid). Fans can register to be a Jr. Jays Club Member (Free Membership) through bluejays.com/jrjaysclub. Jr. Jays Club All-Star Memberships will be available for purchase at Jays Shop or through bluejays.com/jrjaysclub.
For both membership types, fans must register using their Ticketmaster login credentials. If a fan does not have Ticketmaster login credentials, they will be able to create an account at the time of registration. Membership benefits include 50% off Jr. Jays Tickets, Digital games in Ballpark App and Day of In-Game Experiences. In addition, Jr, Jays Club AllStar Members will also receive Membership Merchandise, Access to Exclusive Events and more! If you have any questions, please email our Jr. Jays Club Member Representatives at jrjaysclub@ bluejays.com.
Jr. Jays Sundays
Kids 14 & under are invited to join us at the ballpark for Jr. Jays Sundays on every Sunday home game throughout the 2024 Regular Season (with the exception of Opening Weekend & Fan Appreciation Weekend). On Jr. Jays Sundays, kids can visit our Jr. Jays Zones located on the 100, 200 and 500 levels. Majority of our activations run until the end of the game. Postgame, Jr. Jays can run the bases just like the pros. Fans are required to register their Jr. Jays who would like to partcipate into one of four timeslots that occur postgame: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and 60 minutes. Please visit bluejays.com/jrjaysclub to learn more and register for your Run the Bases slot. Beginning on June 11 and running until
the end of August, kids can also take part in our Jr. Jays Sundays Outdoor Program outside of Gates 5/6, 7/8 and 10/11. Outdoor programming begins at 10:30 a.m. and runs up until first pitch.
Jr. Jays also have the opportunity to be randomly selected by the J FORCE to participate in various in-game activations.
Please note: there will be no Jr. Jays programming or Run the Bases on Opening Weekend or Fan Appreciation Weekend.
Lost and Found
Fans who lose an item during a Blue Jays game should visit any Fan Services location to check if the item has been returned. Fans can also contact our Lost & Found department at 416-341-1000. Lost items are held for approximately one month before they are donated to local charities.
Roof Opening/Closing
The decision for the roof to be opened or closed during Blue Jays games is dependent upon information obtained from several weather service sources. If the game begins with the roof open, the roof can be closed at any time if climatic conditions warrant. If the game begins with the roof closed, it may still be opened before the end of the sixth inning if the Umpire Crew Chief and Blue Jays officials agree the weather has turned in a way that will ensure fan comfort and enjoyment. The Blue Jays strive to make Rogers Centre an “outdoor” facility by having the roof open as often as possible. However, the comfort of our fans is a high priority and is always taken into consideration. In Toronto, particularly in June, July, and August high temperatures may result in Heat Warnings issued by the City. Unless fluids are appropriately replaced, heat related illness may occur. Fans with cardiac, respiratory or gastrointestinal problems are at higher risk for heat related illness. Heat related problems can usually be prevented by:
•Applying sunscreen 15-30 SPF
•Wearing a hat
•Wearing light, loose fitting clothes
• Drinking plenty of water or sports drinks
•Limiting alcohol consumption
If you become hot, sweaty, fatigued and thirsty, you should get out of the sun immediately and begin to replenish your fluids. If these symptoms continue or you develop dizziness or muscle cramps, you should visit one of our First Aid rooms for further evaluation and treatment.
Security Measures
In order to provide our fans with a safe environment, the following security measures may be in effect:
•Searches at all entry gates will include the inspection of all items that are carried into the stadium. Everyone entering will be subject to full searches of their person,
with the use of walk through metal detectors (WTMD); other methods include handheld metal detectors or pat downs.
•Searches may cause delays in entering the stadium and we encourage everyone to arrive early. Those patrons who do not carry any items into the stadium will enter more rapidly than those who bring items in with them. Fans are encouraged to leave belongings in their vehicles or at home whenever possible.
•Law enforcement personnel will be present at all entrances throughout the facility along with our staff to ensure fan safety. We thank our fans for their patience and cooperation in making your experience at Rogers Centre safe and enjoyable.
•Please report any suspicious activity in or around Rogers Centre - See Something, Say Something. Call (416) 341-1200.
•Safety is everyone's responsibility - if you see suspicious activity please report it to any member of our Event staff or uniformed Police personnel.
Multi-purpose and Universal Washroom
Multi-Purpose Washrooms are available for all fans requiring a little extra room or privacy. These washrooms are located near Sections, 140, 238 and 538.
A Universal Washroom is located at Section 121. This washroom is equipped with an adult change table.
If you have any issues gaining access to either of these areas, please ask a staff member for assistance or visit one of our Fan Services locations to report the inconvenience.
Trespassing
Any fan venturing onto the playing field before, during or after a game or event will be subject to criminal prosecution under the criminal code. Fans are also prohibited from accessing dugout roofs, bullpens, clubhouses and all other non-ticketed areas within Rogers Centre.
Video Display Board Messages
Celebrate your special occasion at the ballpark with a Videoboard Celebration, Presented by The Keg! With a $135 donation to Jays Care Foundation, you can celebrate your special occasion with your message displayed on the videoboard. Visit jayscare.com to reserve your Birthday, Anniversary or Special Welcome greeting during your selected Blue Jays home game. Your support will help to provide over 50,000 children and youth with access to sport and recreational programming. A tax receipt will be provided for every donation made. Jays Care Foundation can’t wait to celebrate your special occasion at Rogers Centre this season.
Diamond Baseball Holdings Chairman, Vancouver Canadians.
Chairman, Canadians Baseball Foundation
General Manager
Vice President of Sales & Marketing.
Assistant General Manager.
Jake Kerr
Jeff Mooney
Allan Bailey
Walter Cosman
Stephani Ellis Financial Controller
Brenda Chmiliar Assistant Financial Controller.
Charlene Yaroshuk Manager, Broadcasting & Media Relations.
Tyler Zickelxi Manager, Ticket Operations.
Jacob Nakhleh Coordinator, Marketing Services.
Bench Coach.
Pitching Coach.
Hitting Coach
Position Coach.
Matt von Roemer
Cory Riordan
Nash Knight
Petr Stribrcky Bullpen Coach.
Head Athletic Trainer.
Asst. Athletic Trainer.
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Nutritionist.
Technology Assistant.
Yoel Hernandez
Luke Greene
Kristen Brooks
Joseph Cardona
Stephanie Tavel
Samuel Schneider
Rosemary Alberts Coordinator, Sales.
Head Groundskeeper.
Manager.
Cooper Misic
Levi Weber
Stadium.
Capacity.
Outfield Distances
TD Ballpark
8,500
Brent Lavallee Bench Coach.
Pitching Coach.
Deiferson Barreto
Austin Bibens-Dirkx Hitting Coach.
Position Coach.
Bullpen Coach.
Head Athletic Trainer.
Asst. Athletic Trainer.
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
Asst. Strength and Conditioning Coach
Ryan Wright
Ashley Stephenson
Carson Phillips
Rob Shifrin
Katie Reyes
Bailey Forst
FCL BLUE JAYS
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE, NORTH DIVISION
Toronto Blue Jays Player Development Complex 3031 Garrison Road, Dunedin, FL 34698
Phone
Fax
Manager
Andy Fermin Bench Coach.
Pitching Coach
Chris Schaeffer
Antonio Caceres
Mental Performance Coach.
Alexis Maier
Zane Hunt Nutritionist.
Pitching Coach.
Hitting Coach
Brendan Kelly
Paul Elliott
Home Clubhouse Manager
Stadium.
Cristian Cordova
Raul Pimentel Technology Assistant.
Glenn Hall
Hitting Coach
Hitting Coach
Development Coach.
Fred Landers
Jaime Lever
Alex Kachler
Outfield Distances
DUNEDIN BLUE JAYS
FLORIDA STATE LEAGUE, WEST DIVISION
TD Ballpark
373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, FL 34698
Phone
Fax.
Website.
Email.
Vice President, Florida Operations.
Assistant General Manager.
6,413
Nat Bailey Stadium Capacit.
LF-320, CF-385, RF-335
(727) 733-9302
(727) 734-7661
www.dunedinbluejays.com
dunedin@bluejays.com
Shelby Nelson
Matt Woak Accounting Manager.
Head Athletic Trainer
Asst. Athletic Trainer
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Asst. Strength and Conditioning Coach
Alain Pacheco
Brandon Hammerstrom
Edwin Ortiz
Katherine Kali
Michael Clooney Mental Performance Coach.
Technology Assistant.
Erika Monsalve
Hugo Belisario Home Field
DSL BLUE JAYS
DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE
D. R. Academy
Boca Chica, Dominican Republic Manager
Player Development Complex
Danny Canellas Bench Coach
Holly Larsen
Gayle Gentry Finance & Office Admin. Manager.
Florida Business Operations Specialist.
Ashley Ponce Pitching Coach
Coordinatior, Ticket Sales & Service.
Retail Sales and Operations Specialist.
Mitch Albright
Mary Anderson Supervisor, Ticket Sales & Operations
Charles Henderson
Zach Bare Coordinator, Retail Sales & Operations.
Alejandra Perez
Zakk Netzel Coordinator, Graphics & Social Media.
Coordinator, In-Game Entertainment.
Coordinator, Fan Engagement.
Director, Facilities.
Supervisor of Stadium Operations.
Ballpark Operations.
Ballpark Operations.
Ballpark Attendant.
Jensen Maranto
Taylor Johnson
Rob Durr
Justin Williams
Evan Kaminski
Kyle Walker
Chase Anschultz
Robelin Bautista Hitting Coach.
Position Coach.
Position Coach.
Position Coach.
Ricardo Nanita
Jose Mateo
Luis Silva
Pepo Fortunado Bullpen Coach.
Asst. Pitching Coach.
Head Athletic Trainer
Asst. Athletic Trainer.
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach.
Mental Performance Coach
Nutrition Assistant.
Home Field.
Rafael Monsion
Ramon Marte
Frank Esposito
Ysidro Reyes
Imbewer Alvarez
Abimael Lebron
Erika Monsalve
Carlos Carvajal
Player Development Complex
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