The Toronto Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette has been a standout player in the past two seasons. In 2021, he achieved an impressive 191 hits, which was the best record in the American League. The following season, he continued to impress, tallying 189 hits, proving his consistency in the league. However, it’s puzzling why his total hits for this year are set 20 less than his previous best. We should expect Bichette to maintain his excellent form, as he’s still young and has room for growth, making him primed for another season of outstanding play.

Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic made ten bold to predictions for the Toronto Blue Jays and McGrath is predicting that “Bo Bichette wins the American League batting title” 

“No American League player has more hits than Bo Bichette’s 380 over the past two seasons. With Xander Bogaerts and reigning AL batting champ Luis Arraez now in the National League, two players who could challenge for the title are gone. Aaron Judge remains in the AL and he’s a perennial Triple Crown threat. Still, Bichette has always been able to hit for average. In fact, take out Bichette’s uncharacteristically uneven first half last year and he’s been a .300-plus hitter for his MLB career. If his spring is any indication, he’s honed in at the plate and he looks primed to do damage this season. If he can avoid any long slumps, he could be in line for the batting crown.” 

The 2022 season was one of highs and lows for Bichette. His batting average took a hit, dropping for the third year in a row, but he managed to maintain a career-low of .290 which was still above the major-league average. His strikeouts increased substantially, reaching a new personal high of 155. As for his fielding, the numbers reveal a mixed bag. While Bichette committed one less error than his previous season, advanced measures like defensive runs saved and outs above average placed him among the bottom-ranked shortstops in the league in both areas.

Bichette expressed confidence in his understanding of his identity and his desired approach to the game. He credited his success last summer not to any physical adjustments, but rather to a mental shift. According to Bichette, he stopped trying to conform to others’ expectations and began embracing his unique skills and approach. His focus shifted away from concerns about his public image or perceived appearance, allowing him to capitalize on his strengths and establish a more confident sense of self.

From the start of the training camp, Bichette has shown impressive form and has consistently put in his best effort during each at-bat, treating it as though it were a regular season game. The outstanding performance he displayed in late 2022 has proven to be a crucial turning point in his career at 25 years old, as he seems to have gained a newfound confidence in his abilities.

Reflecting on his career thus far, Bichette shared that he has always known what he is capable of, but it was only recently that he realized just how skilled he truly is. This understanding of himself and his potential is the key to unlocking his full potential and reaching greater heights in his career.