The 2022 season for the Toronto Blue Jays was one of success and disappointment. With a record of 92-70, they were one of the top-performing teams in the American League. However, their dreams of a postseason run fell short as they lost in their wild card series against the Mariners. What made the loss even more heartbreaking was that they were the higher-ranked team and suffered defeats in both their home games, watched by their loyal fans. 

Nevertheless, the Blue Jays have risen from the ashes and are once again a formidable force in the MLB.

Despite significant changes to their roster since the previous season, they remain a team to be reckoned with. FanGraphs, a renowned baseball website, predicts a 70.8 percent chance of Toronto making it to the playoffs in 2023. Although the New York Yankees are the frontrunner to win the division, all eyes are on the Blue Jays as they work tirelessly towards securing their spot in the postseason.

With a renewed sense of purpose and determination, fans have high hopes for the Blue Jays in the upcoming season. Despite the setbacks of the past, they are ready to take on any obstacle and emerge victorious.

Vlad Guerrero Jr.

ESPN, one of the top sports media outlets in the US, has finally released its much-anticipated list of the top 100 players for the American and National Leagues. Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays were delighted to discover that seven members of their team made the cut, showcasing the incredible depth of talent on the team.

While none of the Jays’ players managed to break into the top 15, two of their stars secured spots in the top 50. Leading the charge at 16th place is the team’s formidable first baseman, Vlad Guerrero Jr. After a somewhat lackluster 2022 season that saw him hit just 22 homers, down from the previous year’s 48, many people anticipate Guerrero will have a stellar comeback campaign. The big-hitting sensation has been catching eyes during Spring Training and has taken a simpler approach when batting. 

There’s no doubt that the inclusion of seven Blue Jays players in the top 100 is a testament to the team’s impressive roster. However, with Guerrero poised for a strong season, fans are already eagerly anticipating what other feats the Jays can achieve in the coming year.

Bo Bichette 

From the early days of training camp, it was clear that Bo Bichette had one singular goal in mind: to be the best player he could possibly be. His intense focus and unwavering determination demonstrated a mindset that set him apart from his peers, treating every at-bat and every practice session like it was the regular season.

This approach paid off in spades, as Bichette’s outstanding performance in the latter part of the 2022 season proved to be a turning point for the 25-year-old’s career. Despite remaining fundamentally the same player as when he made his debut in 2019, Bichette has shown subtle signs of growth that have not gone unnoticed by his teammates and coaches.

As the Blue Jays look towards the 2023 season, they know that Bichette will be a key figure in their plans. His self-assurance and willingness to keep evolving make him an ideal candidate to lead the team as they work towards taking the next steps in their development. The rest of the team is ready to follow his lead, and they all believe that this season will be the beginning of something truly special. 

I can’t wait to see what Bichette and the Blue Jays have in store for us in the season ahead!

George Springer 

Throughout his career, George Springer has been one of the most exciting players in baseball, displaying an unwavering commitment to the game despite facing numerous health challenges. Despite these setbacks, he managed to maintain impressive batting averages throughout his past baseball seasons. In August, Springer hit a remarkable .351, followed by a still-impressive .271 in both September and October. However, his brief playoff with Seattle was slightly underwhelming with a hit average of .233. 

In 2023, fans are eagerly waiting to witness the full potential of this top-tier baseball player, who has so far been plagued with a litany of injuries.

Injuries are a common issue in baseball, and Springer has experienced his fair share of setbacks. He faced an oblique injury, strained right quadriceps muscle, and a left knee sprain in 2021. The following season saw his lingering right elbow issue, and then a concussion and sprained shoulder from a dangerous collision with teammate Bo Bichette.

Despite these setbacks, Springer managed to accrue 25 home runs and 76 RBIs, proving that his commitment to the game is unmatched. After the wild-card series, Springer underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, indicating his determination to overcome any obstacle and continue to excel on the field. Heading into his third season with Toronto, fans and analysts are eagerly anticipating what Springer can do when he is healthy and plays to his full potential. 

Undoubtedly, Springer has proven himself to be one of the most persistent and determined players in the league, and his unwavering commitment to the game is a testament to his love for baseball.

Pitching 

As the Toronto Blue Jays continue to make strides in the American League, their pitching staff remains one of the strongest in the league. Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman are the standout performers, and potential contenders for the coveted Cy Young award. Their performances have been so consistent that they could easily be the ace of other teams. 

Alek Manoah, a rookie drafted in 2019, has quickly made a name for himself in the big leagues. Manoah is known for his overpowering fastball. He has become a force to be reckoned with, and opposing teams often struggle to find an answer at the plate against him.

Kevin Gausman, on the other hand, is an experienced pitcher whose skills have only improved with time. Signed by the Blue Jays last offseason, the 30-year-old has had an outstanding first season with the Blue Jays. His pitching was a major factor in the success of the team last season. 

While Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman are the stars of the pitching staff, there is another pitcher that deserves recognition. Jordan Romano from Markham, Ontario has been delivering outstanding performances for the team for the past three years. Romano is not just any pitcher, he is a closer that comes in during the latter stages of a game to seal the win for the Blue Jays. 

Romano has established himself as one of the best relief pitchers in the league. His consistency earned him an All-Star appearance in 2022. As someone who grew up in Markham, Ontario, Romano represents a true Canadian success story. 

The Blue Jays are fortunate to have such a talented pitching staff, and the future looks bright for the team. With Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman, and Jordan Romano leading the charge, the Blue Jays are poised to make a deep run in the playoffs. 

MLB The Show 

The people over at MLB The Show have simulated the entire 2023 season, and the results are out of this world. Blue Jays fans can rejoice as the simulation predicts the team to come out on top with a whopping 108 wins and only 54 losses. That’s a fantastic winning percentage of .667. The simulation saw the Jays dominate the AL East, cruising to a comfortable 10-game lead over the second-place Red Sox. It’s incredible to see that the Yankees finished third, but the simulation results must be taken with a grain of salt as it’s highly unlikely to happen in real life. 

The simulation also predicted the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays to bring up the rear in the division, which might not come as a surprise to their fans. 

However, this is just a simulation, and the actual season could play out in any way possible. It’s interesting to see what the MLB The Show simulation predicts for 2023, but only time will tell if it comes to fruition. Until then, Blue Jays fans can hold on to this hope and look forward to the upcoming season with renewed optimism.