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Toronto Blue Jays: 5 Storylines for the 2016 Season

By Paul Taylor

May 17, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) congratulates right fielder Jose Bautista (19) after Bautista hits a home run during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
May 17, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) congratulates right fielder Jose Bautista (19) after Bautista hits a home run during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Blue Jays
Mar 7, 2016; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2) Can Aaron Sanchez deal with the pressure of being in the rotation?

Meanwhile, at the other end of the rotation, the Blue Jays have similar hopes for Aaron Sanchez. Any questions about who the fifth starter should be were dispelled, as he struck out 19 batters in 20 innings and registered an impressive 1.35 ERA during spring training.

Among the many things the competition with the likes of Jesse Chavez and Gavin Floyd showed, was Sanchez’s ability to rise to the occasion, when the pressure was on. Of course, doing it during spring training is not exactly the same as pitching during the regular season.

Fortunately, the 23-year has experience of pitching in the Majors during the two previous seasons. The only concern might be that last year, he performed better out of the bullpen, as opposed to being in the starting rotation.

However, this is more than likely just part of the growing process and it wasn’t as if he was a complete disaster when he was in the rotation. Ultimately, everything is in place for the Blue Jays 2010 first round draft pick to fulfill his potential.

Next: Can he pick up where he left off?

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