Toronto Blue Jays: Ryan Borucki picking up from where he left off
Borucki made a strong impression when he was called up by the Toronto Blue Jays last season and he’s carried that over into spring training.
Even though there isn’t a lot of excitement for the Toronto Blue Jays this season, fans should be optimistic about Ryan Borucki‘s future.
While most of the attention was on Bryce Harper getting hit on his ankle by Trent Thornton, Borucki had another strong performance against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Blue Jays weren’t ready to slot the left-hander into the rotation heading into spring training and now there shouldn’t be any doubt.
He doesn’t have an overpowering fastball but his changeup has been pretty good so far as he used it to strike out Harper. At this point, Borucki just needs to continue what he’s doing because it has been enough to stay with the big league club.
Borucki threw 81 pitches, 51 strikes. He's put himself in a good position to round out the spring and enter the season on the upswing. #BlueJays
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) March 15, 2019
More from Tip of the Tower
- Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
- Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
- Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
- Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
- Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith
Last season, the 24-year-old went 4-6 with a 3.87 ERA, 67 strikeouts and 33 walks in 97.2 innings. Obviously, Borucki’s record from last season isn’t important but there was no doubting he made a great first impression.
To think Clayton Richard would be a legitimate threat to Borucki going into spring training shouldn’t have been a concern but general manager Ross Atkins wasn’t ready to anoint the youngster just yet.
Matt Shoemaker should be in the rotation after a couple of strong starts especially his last one in a tie against the New York Yankees. Add him along with Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez that leaves Borucki, Richard, Clay Buchholz and potentially Sean Reid-Foley as candidates for the final two sports.
Buchholz can easily pitch out of the bullpen as well but if the Blue Jays want to potentially maximize his trade value then showing he could be stretched out in the rotation will help. At the same time, it shouldn’t cost Borucki of a spot he’s earned.
Next. Blue Jays catch a break with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. injury. dark
What do you think about Borucki’s performance so far this spring training? Should he be guaranteed a spot in the rotation? Let us know in the comments below.