Toronto Blue Jays: 5 most important individuals in 2019

3) Aaron Sanchez

If the Blue Jays are going to remain competitive during their rebuild, it’s imperative they have a rotation which can at least hold its own. And in particular — with apologies to all you Marcus Stroman fans out there — Aaron Sanchez is the key to an effective starting five.

Understandably, fans are hoping Sanchez can return to somewhere close to his 2016 form, when he had a 15-2 record in 30 starts, along with a 3.00 ERA — best in the AL — a 1.167 WHIP and a 3.55 FIP. He also allowed just three walks per nine innings, as his spectacular displays helped him earn his first All-Star Game selection and finish seventh in the Cy Young voting.

Of course, key to the 26-year-old returning to his previous form, is remaining healthy. His ongoing blister issues have been a source of major frustration, limiting him to just 28 starts in the last two seasons combined. (There was also the bizarre suitcase handle incident last year, which just compounded his bad luck.)

If nothing else, at least Sanchez is confident in his ability to improve, after undergoing surgery on his right index finger last September. As reported by Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, he said:

"“I anticipate being fully healthy coming into Spring Training, and if I’m not, I’m a week behind and I’m on the mound the next week. As far as I am in my routine now, I’m on pace to be ready to go.”"

Most signs point towards Sanchez being more than capable of living up to the potential which first persuaded the Blue Jays to select him in the first round of the 2010 draft. Now it’s just a case of him going out there and proving it; the 2019 version of the rotation is counting on it.