When it was revealed last month that Chris Colabello had tested positive for an anabolic steroid, it caught Toronto Blue Jays players and fans off-guard.
In a roundabout way, however, Colabello’s 80-game suspension has turned out to be a blessing for Justin Smoak.
The two players split time at first base last season, but with Colabello out Smoak has been an everyday player, something he became accustomed to during his time with the Seattle Mariners.
“It’s definitely easier. [The game] slows down. It slows down tremendously,” Smoak told Baseball Central on Sportsnet 590 The Fan Wednesday. “Guys are still throwing 95-100 mph but 90 doesn’t look like 100 any more. When you’re not playing every day — last year was an adjustment for me because I was an everyday player and not playing every day last year I had to make some adjustments, do some things differently that I wouldn’t normally do.”
“It’s also your mindset,” Smoak added. “You’re more relaxed going up to the yard every day knowing that you’re in there and you just got to do what you got to do to get ready to play that day.”
That newfound comfort may even be contributing to improved numbers.
Through 37 games and 82 at bats in 2016, Smoak has a .293/.420/.451/.871 slash line. He’s striking out more frequently and hitting fewer home runs compared to last season, but he’s putting the ball in play at a higher rate than before. His batting average, on base percentage and OPS are significantly better than they were in 2015.
The Blue Jays are riding a four-game losing streak and have been outscored 25-4 in their last two games. They’ll look to avoid being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday at Rogers Centre.