TORONTO – Robbie Ray continues to look like he’s rediscovering his former all-star self and while his results on the mound so far this spring have been good, it is what’s underpinning the success that’s most encouraging for the Toronto Blue Jays.
The left-hander sliced through a regular-season calibre Detroit Tigers lineup for 5.1 innings in an 8-1 victory Friday, and we’ll get to Alejandro Kirk’s remarkable opposite-field homer and the catching situation later. More telling on Ray than his pitching line were the 96.2 m.p.h. he averaged on the 42 four-seam fastballs he threw, and that 53 of his 73 pitches were strikes.
Ray carried the velocity – a jump from his spring average of 93.9 m.p.h., according to Statcast – throughout his outing with his final two pitches checking in at 97.3 and 97.8. Combine that with his continued ability to command the strike zone, something he struggled with badly the past two years, and the 29-year-old is giving the Blue Jays reason to believe he’ll be the No. 2 starter they so desperately need.
“He’s throwing so many strikes and he’s throwing all his breaking pitches for strikes,” said manager Charlie Montoyo. “He’s keeping hitters off balance. His last pitch was 97 (when) he’s done. It’s not luck. Before the game, his strikes were 58 per cent (of total pitches), and it just got better today. Because of all that, it’s real, in my opinion and (that of pitching coach) Pete Walker.”
For context, last year Ray’s strike percentage was 42.9 and he hasn’t broken 50 per cent, and just barely at that, since 2016.
Credit: Baseball Savant
“Physically, my delivery feels really good,” said Ray. “I was talking with Pete before the game, I was warming up down in the pen, and in between going from wind-up to stretch, I like to take a little bit of time and just take a breather. We were looking at my landing foot and I pretty much was landing in the same exact spot every single time. So it’s that, but also if I miss with a pitch, it’s regaining that focus that next pitch, not taking time off, not criticizing myself – just refocusing.”
Velocity, on the other hand, has never been an issue for Ray, as his four-seamer has generally averaged around 94-95 throughout his career, was 93.9 last year.
Credit: Baseball Savant
The jump in one start could simply be Ray feeling particularly strong one afternoon, but he said it wasn’t simply a happy accident – it’s a byproduct of “not only the work that I’ve been doing on the mound, but also what I’ve been doing in the gym, as well.”
“I’ve been getting after it a little bit, just trying to simulate going hard,” Ray continued. “I feel like that’s one thing that’s really tough as a pitcher in general, because you only have so many throws you can make every day. And so those days where it should be a high-intensity day, you should practice going up (in weight). That’s one thing that I’ve done not only in the off season, but also coming into spring training, those days where it’s a heavy day, I go heavy.”
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CAPTAIN KIRK IN CHARGE: Each time Alejandro Kirk plays it seems more and more clear that he should break camp with the team. The latest exhibits on that front came with his latest deft handling of Robbie Ray on the mound, and the ridiculous opposite field homer he hit on this 94.9 m.p.h. fastball from Casey Mize, the first overall pick in the 2018 draft.
Credit: Baseball Savant
“I mean, as long as the bases aren’t loaded, I would just pitch around him at this point,” Ray said when asked how he’d approach Kirk as an opponent. “What he’s doing this spring is pretty special. He got to an 0-2 count in his first at-bat and then hits an oppo homer – you just can’t make this kind of stuff up. What he’s doing is really fun to watch.”
Very much so, which makes the rational argument against carrying him on the opening day roster tougher to accept.
Easy to forget is that Kirk’s only 22 and until debuting in the majors last year, hadn’t played above A-ball. Factor that in with Reese McGuire being out of options and having to clear waivers if he doesn’t make the team, and asset management is an important consideration.
If someone claimed McGuire and either Kirk or Danny Jansen was hurt, the Blue Jays would have no other experienced catchers in the organization to call upon.
“Riley (Adams), he’ll be ready,” Charlie Montoyo said when asked who would be next in line. “He’s doing a good job. Of course, he hasn’t played as much, but according to (catching coach) John Schneider and (bullpen catcher Nevin) Ashley, he’s done a good job and is getting better.”
Adams is a well-regarded prospect but that’s a significant exposure risk for a team with post-season aspirations. At the same time, Kirk has done all the Blue Jays have asked of him, transforming his body over the winter, making significant strides in his handling of pitchers, and taking more command in games.
“His game calling has been great. Today was awesome,” said Ray. “We were on the same page multiple times. He’s just understanding who I am as a pitcher. He’s just taking that and he’s running with it. It’s almost like he throws a pitch down and I’m like, ‘Wow, how did you know I wanted to throw that?’”
As much as his bat is doing the talking this spring, it’s that growth behind the plate that may ultimately for the Blue Jays’ hands and risk losing the protection of depth McGuire offers.
“Experience, the more games I’m catching, the better I feel and I feel very confident right now catching,” Kirk, speaking through interpreter Hector Lebron, said of his defensive gains since last September’s cameo. “And of course, you have to have a lot of communication with your pitching staff. I think that’s the key for both sides to be successful.”
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THORNTON IN THE MIX: Trent Thornton returned to the mound for the first time since elbow surgery prematurely ended his 2020 season, throwing two shutout innings with four strikeouts.
The right-hander still has enough time to force himself into the early-season pitching picture, but Pete Walker said that “getting him on a normal schedule now is important.” As for his long-term role, that’s a bit up in the air, but the Blue Jays are going to need some length out of the bullpen with Ross Stripling expected to be in the rotation.
“He’s certainly a big part of this organization moving forward,” Walker said of Thornton. “Trying to figure out exactly where he fits in right now as far as how we utilize him best. Obviously starter depth is extremely important, having as many as you can. But some of these guys are versatile and can probably do a multitude of things.”
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CLOSING TIME: Kirby Yates is slated to make his second spring appearance Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles and provided he remains on track physically, pitching coach Pete Walker expects him to the Blue Jays closer.
“I would say it’s his job to lose. He has a tremendous track record. He’s closed a lot of major-league games. He’s one of the best relievers in baseball. We have a bunch of good guys down there that can close games as well. When he’s not available, for some reason, someone else will be able to step up. But for now, if he’s feeling good, he’s able to take the ball consistently, which we’re planning on and hoping for, it’s certainly his job to lose.
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SHORT HOPS: The Blue Jays offered up use of Rogers Centre as a potential COVID-19 vaccination site but thus far haven’t been taken up on it. In the meantime, installation of a new artificial turf is underway in the building. … The Blue Jays were still awaiting word definitive word on Thomas Hatch’s elbow, but Pete Walker said he was “definitely encouraged with seeing him after and the way he was moving his arm.” The hope is the discomfort that forced Hatch to leave his outing Wednesday early “is nothing more than a minor setback.” … Nate Pearson is undergoing further evaluations on his right groin strain before next steps are determined for him. “We’ll be a little bit more cautious and make sure that he is ready to roll this next time, for sure,” said Walker. “It’s frustrating for him. But I still think he’s going to be a huge impact this season.” … Righty Julian Merryweather, slowed by back pain, is slated to throw two innings in a simulated game Sunday and like Trent Thornton, needs regular work to get himself back in the mix.
