Toronto Blue Jays 2019 season preview: Outfield provides intrigue

As the Toronto Blue Jays prepare to kick off their 2019 season, we will preview the roster starting with the outfield.

Opening day against the Detroit Tigers is just a few days away and the Toronto Blue Jays have had a couple of interesting storylines throughout spring training.

Now they will prepare to take the field and start a season where expectations aren’t exactly at an all-time high. At the same time, the team is looking to take a step forward after a couple of disappointing seasons.

The team acquired younger players looking to break through and have a couple who have been making their way up the minor leagues. There could still be some movement between now and opening day especially with the starting rotation and bullpen but the rest of the roster appears to have most of the lineup set.

Looking at the outfield, the Blue Jays will probably experiment with a platoon in left field much like they did last season. They should hopefully have better depth than in past years but rumours around Kevin Pillar’s future could change that.

Anthony Alford didn’t make the opening roster but it makes more sense for him to get regular playing time in Buffalo than to have him sit on the bench. He continues to show improvement especially at the plate hitting .242/.342/.636 with four home runs and seven RBI in 16 spring training games. If Pillar gets hurt or moved, expect Alford to get a chance to take his spot in the outfield.

Jonathan Davis and Dalton Pompey were candidates to fill out the bench but a concussion to Pompey and an ankle sprain to Davis took away that possibility. Unfortunately for Pompey, he doesn’t have options like Davis does but this concussion could have him out for a while.

Here is how the Blue Jays outfield will shape up for the 2019 season.