Looking at the Jays batters over the last two weeks.
Over the past two weeks, the Jays have been 12-2. They are averaging 6.4 runs per game. That seems pretty good.
Hot
George Springer: Started 13 games. Hit .396/.458/.736 with 6 home runs, 21 RBI, 3 steals, 6 walks, and 4 strikeouts.
He played two games in left and two games in right. What an incredible couple of weeks he’s had. 21 RBI in 13 games! He’s been great in high leverage spots all season, .327/.397/.582 and great with RISP, .324/.405/.514. He has been hitting well as a DH, too. After last year, I’d written him off. I thought he was untradeable. Always happy to be wrong.
Addison Barger: Played in 13 games, starting 11. Hit .286/.327/.612 with 4 doubles, 4 homers, 13 RBI, 1 steal, 3 walks and 14 strikeouts.
Started at third in seven games, right field in five games. I like watching him play. Defensively, he’s a +2 runs above average at third base, and a -1 in right field, which seems right from watching him. I think he’ll be average in the right field, but his arm will help. With his bat, I’m ok with him at either spot.
Andrés Giménez: Played 10 games, starting 9. Hitting .353/.405/.471 with 1 double, 1 home run, 9 RBI, 1 steal, 2 walks and 7 strikeouts.
And he’s back on the IL. He does have these hot streaks, but they don’t last all that long. I like the idea of him and Clement platooning a second. He has a .698 OPS vs RHP, which, with his defense, plays. Clement can play other spots on days they want him in the lineup against RHP. He has started games in every spot in the batting order this year.
Nathan Lukes: Played in 13 games, starting 9. .286/.419/.429 with 2 doubles, 1 home run, 8 RBI, 3 strikeouts.
Played in right 6 times, left field 5 times, and center field 7 times (he played two of the spots in 5 games. I like the idea of hitting him in the leadoff spot against RHP (especially if he gets on base 40% of the time). He’s having a nice season.
Davis Schneider: Played in 10 games, starting 8. Hit .259/.355/.519 with 1 double, 2 home runs, 4 RBI, 1 caught stealing, 3 walks and 10 strikeouts.
Played 4 games at second, 6 in left. We wrote him off, the team didn’t. I’m not sure who is wrong yet. Anyone can have a good couple of weeks, but it’s always good to see a player we wrote off perform well. I hope he keeps it going the rest of the season.
Cold
Bo Bichette: Played in 11 games, starting 10. He hit .224/.240/.327 with 2 doubles, 1 home run, 4 RBI, 1 walk and 10 strikeouts.
He DHed once. Other than that pinch-hit home run, he’s had a rough time of it, but he’s been hitting better the last few games. I have no idea what kind of contract he’s going to get at the end of the season. Or if he should accept a qualifying offer. Or if he should get one. He’s been average with the bat, which would be good enough if he were an average defensive shortstop. FanGraphs has him -4 outs above average. If he were to hit a hot streak over the last 70 games of the season, everything would be great.
Ernie Clement: Started in all 14 games. Hit ..245/.339/.264 with 1 double, 6 RBI, 8 walks, 3 strikeouts and 1 steal.
He started five games at third, six at short, and three at second. He’s taking walks, which is unusual. He’s had a pretty consistent year until now. But his glove is excellent, so we can deal with the odd downturn with the bat.
Myles Straw: Played in 13 games, starting 7. Hit .200/.286/.233, 1 doubles, 1 RBI, 1 steal, 4 walks and 7 strikeouts.
His defense is excellent, +6 outs above average. His bat? Well, it is what we thought it would be, a 70 OPS+ on the season. Baseball Reference has him at a 1.4 WAR, so he is helpful to have, but I tend to zone out when he’s at the plate.
Will Wagner: Played in 7 games, starting 6. Hit .222/.333/.333, with 2 doubles, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.
Started at third three times, first two times and DH once.
Jonathan Clase: Played in 7 games, starting 5. Hit .250/.368/.250 with 2 RBI, 1 caught stealing, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.
Had 19 PA. If he could get on base 37% of the time, with his speed, he’d be a helpful player. In Buffalo now.
Tyler Heineman: Played in 6 games, starting 4. Hit ..000/.214/.000 with 1 RBI, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts.
Maybe the magic he had all season has worn off?
Will Wagner: Played in 7 games, starting 6. Hit .222/.333/.333, with 2 doubles, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.
Started at third three times, first two times and DH once.
Inbetween
Alejandro Kirk: Played in 13 games, starting 11 games. Hit .268/.412/.293 with 1 double, 7 RBI, 10 walks and 4 strikeouts.
He DHed once. He’s taking walks, but he’s only had one extra base hit in the last two weeks. Kirk doesn’t usually take many walks. Perhaps teams are pitching him differently. Not chasing is a good thing, but then I’d like some power. On the catching side, he’s had seven steals against and caught three, so that’s a 30% (right about his 29.4% rate on the season). I can’t put someone getting on base 41% of the time in the cold group, but it isn’t like he’s a speedster who’s going to go for second after the walk.
Vladimir Guerrero: Started 13 games. Hit .265/.390/.429 with 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 5 RBI, 8 walks, 8 strikeouts and 2 steals.
DHed twice. Not great, not bad. OPS right at his season average. It is hard to understand how they can have nine wins in a row with Vlad being average. Teams are still pitching around him in big moments. I’d still try him in the leadoff spot. He’s getting on base 40% of the time, but he’s been terrific with RISP, .307/.455/.507.
Also Played
Alan Roden: Played in two games and was sent out. It was up for a good part of the season, and yet only had 111 PA.
Will Wagner: Played in 7 games, starting 6. Hit .222/.333/.333, with 2 doubles, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts.
Started at third three times, first two times and DH once.
Leo Jiménez: Played in 6 games, starting 3. Hit .100/.100/.100 in 10 at-bats.
Joey Loperfido: Played in 2 games. Hit .429/.429/.857 with 1 home run, 4 RBI and 2 strikeouts.
Just two games but two very good games.
IL
Daulton Varsho: Might be back after the All-Star break.
Anthony Satander: Still isn’t swinging a bat. I don’t think he’ll be back until August.