The Kids Are Playing

Despite recently selling off many of their top arms, the fourth-place Toronto Blue Jays are currently riding a hot streak of 7-3 in their last ten games thanks to the hot hand of their new leadoff hitter, SS Bo Bichette, who made his MLB debut for the Jays on July 29. The 21 year-old has been busy setting new records in the league and for his club.

On Tuesday, Bichette became the first MLB player with ten extra-base hits in his first nine games and also set a Toronto record with 17 hits over those first nine games. On Wednesday, he set another club record for the longest doubles streak of eight games.

Over these first ten games of his career, Bichette is slashing .409/.458/.795 with an OPS of 1.254 and three home runs. While he went 1-3 with no RBI and no runs scored in Wednesday’s 4-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, the other young members of the team picked up the slack. New OF Derek Fisher, acquired from the Houston Astros in return for relievers Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini along with OF prospect Cal Stevenson, had the game’s big blow, a two-run homer to drive in INF Justin Smoak in the 6th, and OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also had a solo shot in the 4th inning.

Let’s take a look at how the Jays’ other future hopes are doing so far in the second half.

Cavan Biggio, INF

Biggio also got off to a nice start for the Jays following his May 24 debut, but not nearly as nice as Bichette’s. Since the All-Star Break, Biggio is hitting .188/.316/.350 with an OPS of .666 and four home runs. If he does not turn things around soon, he is likely headed back to AAA Buffalo like some of the Jays’ other young stars who have struggled early in their Toronto careers.

Derek Fisher, OF

As mentioned above, Fisher was acquired from Houston in a trade that sent pitchers Biagini and Sanchez to the AL West leader, earning the derision of Jays fans when he was sent to the hospital after being struck in the face by a fly ball while Biagini and Sanchez were taking part in Houston’s August 3 combined no-hitter of the Seattle Mariners. Fisher is hitting .167/.167/.417 with an OPS of .583 and one home run in six games for Toronto.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., INF/DH

Guerrero got his second half off to an historic start, setting an MLB record for the most home runs in a single round and largest overall total in a derby of 91, eventually falling to New York Mets rookie INF Pete Alonso in the finals. Since returning to regular season action, Guerrero is hitting .352/.497/.497 with an OPS of .849 and nine home runs and was named AL Player of the Week on Monday, August 5.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr., OF

Gurriel had a poor beginning to the year, resulting in a demotion to AAA, returning to the Show on May 24, when INF Cavan Biggio made his debut. Since then, he has primarily played left field rather than the middle infield, which has improved his defense. Gurriel was one of MLB’s hottest hitters in May and June but has cooled off in the second half, slashing .222/.278/.367 with an OPS of .45 and two home runs.

Teoscar Hernández, OF

After a somewhat disappointing 2018 and a poor start to 2019, Hernández was sent down to AAA Buffalo for a short stint before being recalled on June 5. In the second half, he is slashing .282/.370/.620 with a .990 OPS and seven home runs.

After closing out their road trip with a series victory in Tampa, the Blue Jays return home to host a four-game set against the first-place New York Yankees tonight at 7:07 PM. Matchup: Domingo Germán (14-2, 3.98 ERA) vs. Thomas Pannone (2-4, 5.98 ERA). Support the site by purchasing your tickets from SeatGeek!