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Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under
Looking forward to Gurriel Jr returning. Sounds like his leg is improving.
Vlad over his last 30 games has been ridiculous: .380/.446/.676, 13 BB, 17K, 7 HR, 1.122 OPS.
Biggio on the other hand has been absolutely awful. .181/296/.319, 19 BB, 42K, 4 HR.
I think it's clear that Bichette and Vlad are legit big leaguers who can produce. Gurriel Jr is good, and his numbers over a full season show a guy who has hit 30 HR, and a very decent OPS+ of 119. Absolutely good pieces.
Biggio has some pretty big question marks and I wonder if he is a true MLB every day player. It's obvious he aligns with the "values" that Atkins etc drones on about a little too much, and has the sort of clubhouse intangibles that teams value, but I really wonder if he is actually any good.
The Jays need to develop another bat. Jordan Groshans is likely at least two years away, same with Gabriel Moreno, Alejandro Kirk, Orelvis Martinez, Miguel Hiraldo and others I know I am missing. Kevin Smith has been disappointing this year so I wonder if he will actually see the majors.
6 months ago I would say the Jays were top heavy with hitting prospects and really a dearth of pitching prospects. Now with Bo and Vlad in the show they have quite a few pitching prospects and no real good bats arriving in the near future. I guess it's a little unfair of me to see a team promote two prodigious bats this season and to just say "ok more please" but I think the Jays do need at least one more good/very good hitter.
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Yeah, Biggio is certainly not on the same level as Vlad and Bo, but that's not surprising or disappointing really. You hope it's just a bit of a learning curve, but MLB pitchers seem to have figured him out. Hopefully he can adjust.
Danny Jansen has been sporting an .865 OPS for two months now, so his bat is definitely an asset if he can produce in that range going forward. Especially with his elite level defense so far.
Plus Hernandez has an .848 OPS since being recalled on June 5th. I don't know if it's sustainable long term, but if he's able to maintain that production with his bat he will also be a valuable piece with his defense also looking like it's improved.