Newest Blue Jays share a skill, and they’re eager to use it: bunting for hits

DUNEDIN, Fla. – After the Blue Jays added Daulton Varsho, Brandon Belt and Kevin Kiermaier to the lineup over the winter, there was loads of dialogue about one among their shared attributes. As left-handed hitters, they promised to stability out a lineup that has tilted closely to the precise for years.

But quietly, the three newcomers share one other trait that deserves consideration: they prefer to bunt for hits.

Varsho prefers push bunts, and he’s good at them, with an MLB-leading 9 final yr. Kiermaier hasn’t bunted as a lot currently, however together with his hip absolutely wholesome, he’s planning so as to add to his profession complete of 16. And though Belt could also be a 34-year-old first baseman coming off knee surgical procedure, that doesn’t dampen his enthusiasm for a well-timed bunt.

After all, if the third baseman is effectively off the foul line, and also you’re assured you can also make contact, why not?

“You have the best odds of getting on base if you can lay that bunt down the third-base line,” Belt stated. “It’s just higher than any other thing you can do at the plate. So, for me, if the goal was to get on base, why wouldn’t I do that? Obviously, I’d like to drive the ball and get extra base hits. But in that moment, if it’s the right time to do it, why not take advantage of that? Get on base and set the team up.”

Ultimately, it’s the identical consequence as a line-drive single up the center.

“Exactly,” Belt stated. “And in this lineup, you’ve got guys all over the place that can drive you in.”

As a crew, the Blue Jays ranked twenty eighth among the many 30 MLB groups with simply 4 bunt hits final yr. In 2023, that pattern’s poised to alter due to their new additions. To be clear: the Blue Jays are nonetheless a crew constructed round energy bats, and we’re speaking about going for hits right here, not sacrifices. But even when it’s extra completely happy coincidence than grand low season technique, the top end result guarantees to be fascinating: look out for extra bunt hit makes an attempt within the yr forward.

“If it’s part of their game, for sure,” supervisor John Schneider stated. “If you can do it and you’re good at it? If you can get on the bases and you’re an elite baserunner like (Varsho and Kiermaier) and the situation calls for it, I’m all for it.”

Given that upcoming rule modifications will preserve two infielders on both aspect of second base, it’s doable Belt will get fewer possibilities to bunt now than he has in years previous. That will inform his resolution making, together with who’s pitching, what sort of pitches they like and who’s taking part in defence.

Sinkers are tougher to sq. up than four-seamers, for example, however there aren’t any inflexible guidelines for Belt, who likes to function by really feel. He’s even bunted for a success with two strikes earlier than, partly as a result of he was slumping and partly as a result of it’s surprising. Although that’s not more likely to occur once more, the actual fact stays: Belt likes to bunt if it means getting on base.

“If they want to put two people over towards the shortstop area, then I’d still do it,” he stated. “As long as I can get the third baseman away from third base, I think I can do that. But it just remains to be seen what how they’re going to play that. I just I don’t know.”

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Where Belt prefers push bunts to 3rd base, Varsho’s turn into an professional at drag bunts that create havoc up the first-base line. Like Belt, he likes to evaluate the defence whereas additionally counting on intuition. And whereas his 9 bunt hits final yr had been quantifiably invaluable, he believes there are additional advantages as soon as opposing infielders begin anticipating bunts.

“It allows me to expand the field,” he stated. “You start seeing guys having to creep up a little bit more and having to make quicker decisions on, say, ground balls that I hit at them. So, I think it opens up some smaller holes. Everything helps.”

Varsho’s locker is beside Belt’s on the Blue Jays’ spring coaching facility, and the outfielder stated he’s requested his older teammate for ideas. Like Belt, Varsho’s completely happy to make use of small ball to generate offence when his swing isn’t fairly proper.

“It’s another way to try to get on when you’re not feeling good,” Varsho stated.

As for Kiermaier, he hasn’t efficiently bunted for a success since 2018, however a part of that has to do with hip points which have since healed. He now works on his bunting usually with first-base coach Mark Budzinski within the hopes of sneaking in some extra hits in 2023. His rule of thumb? If he can odor the third baseman’s cologne, he’ll swing away. Otherwise, he’ll think about bunting.

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“It can open up so many different things,” Kiermaier stated. “It’s an absolute weapon once I do it.”

The possible No. 9 hitter in Toronto’s lineup, he might make life troublesome for opposing pitchers by mixing a bunt single or two into the combination.

“Even a fake bunt can do certain things,” Kiermaier stated. “I like to catch guys by surprise, but it’s definitely something I want to work into my game more. If I can get 5-10 hits this year, that’s huge.”

In the top, the Blue Jays’ energy bats can possible carry them additional than their bunting prowess ever might. At the identical time, there’s no motive each components can’t function inside the 2023 offence. It’ll be a special look – most necessary, it has the potential to work.

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