Paul Skenes could be MLB's ticket to Gen Z. The Pirates ace will face it on his terms
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is trying to take his burgeoning fame in strideMARCH 6, 2025 âą Associated Press
Meet the Blue Jays' assistant managers, the Schneider boys DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Manager John Schneider has been taking some heat at home. No, he didnât forget an anniversary or miss a birthday, but his t...
MARCH 6, 2025 âą MLB.COM
Should Bo Bichette bat leadoff for the Toronto Blue Jays? Postmedia's Rob Wong chats with Toronto Sun Blue Jays writer Rob Longley about the potential options for the Toronto Blue Jays batting order...
MARCH 6, 2025 âą TORONTOSUN.COM
Anthony Santander - Knocks first homer of camp Santander went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
Impact The veteran slugger got hold of a Carson Fulmer fastball in the sixth inning and crushed it over the right-field fence. It was Santander's first long ball of the spring, and after racking up a career-high 44 homers and 102 RBI for the O's in 2024, the free-agent signing is being counted on to supply big power numbers this season from the heart of the Blue Jays' order.
MARCH 6, 2025 âą ROTOWIRE
Alejandro Kirk - Pops first spring homer Kirk went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
Impact The backstop supplied the Blue Jays with their only run off Mitch Keller through the first four innings, lofting a hanging curve to straightaway center field. It was Kirk's first homer of the spring, but he's been making strong contact so far, going 5-for-15 (.333) through seven appearances. His line-drive swing probably won't ever provide consistent power numbers, but Toronto would be happy if Kirk can supply something close to the .285 batting average and .372 OBP he produced in 2022 over 541 plate appearances.
MARCH 6, 2025 âą ROTOWIRE
Kevin Gausman - Flashes strong velocity Wednesday Gausman topped out at 96.2 mph with his fastball during his spring debut Wednesday against the Pirates, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. The 34-year-old right-hander walked one...
Impact Gausman dealt with shoulder trouble last spring that prevented him from getting fully stretched out ahead of Opening Day, and he seemed to be playing catch-up all season with both his velocity and his command on his breaking pitches, eventually posting a 3.83 ERA and 21.4 percent strikeout rate -- his worst numbers in those categories since 2019 -- over 181 regular-season innings while averaging just 93.9 mph with his fastball. He spent this winter putting on extra muscle, and it showed in his first Grapefruit League action as he averaged 94.9 mph with his heater. If Gausman begins this season healthy, a bounce-back campaign could well be in the cards, as he produced a 3.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 31.1 percent K rate as recently as 2023.
MARCH 6, 2025 âą ROTOWIRE
George Springer - Might bat lower in order in 2025 Blue Jays manager John Schneider indicated Thursday that Springer might not be his leadoff hitter in 2025, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.
Impact The overwhelming majority of Springer's starts since joining the Blue Jays have come from the leadoff spot and Schneider didn't dismiss using the outfielder there again this season, but he's also considering Bo Bichette for the top of the batting order, "depending on who we're facing." Vladimir Guerrero and Anthony Santander are slated to hit second and third, respectively, while Schneider mentioned leadoff and cleanup as options for Bichette. It's possible Springer will be used in whichever of those two spots Bichette doesn't occupy.
MARCH 6, 2025 âą ROTOWIRE
