The Toronto Blue Jays could use some more offense, and they could look within for the playoff push.
Toronto’s offense is starting to click as the Blue Jays are firmly in the playoff push. Yet, the Blue Jays could still add some more pop to the lineup from the minors. Ahead of their stretch run, MLB analysts Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo, and Sam Dykstra of MLB.com urge Toronto to promote Sean Keys for the stretch run.
“In the midst of a breakout season, Keys got a taste of the Majors with Toronto for 12 games in June and July but went just 6-for-36 (.167) with one homer and 13 strikeouts, causing a return to Triple-A Buffalo,” the article read. “He’s finding his stroke in the International League again this month with a .346/.479/.655 line, four homers and 12/11 K/BB ratio in 15 games, and his 21.6 percent overall whiff rate in August is about four points lower than the marks he posted in June and July.
“Keys is seeing more time at the cold corner than the hot one, and even though Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (currently out with a concussion) blocks him there, he could still be a good left-handed bat off the bench come September.”
Keys is a masher and would be another lefty bat off the bench who can play first and third base. When the rosters expand in September, if Toronto wants another bat who can slug, Keys makes sense.
Keys is hitting .283 with 25 home runs and 68 RBIs this season in the minors.
Keys Broke Through This Season
Entering the year, Keys wasn’t on the radar of most Blue Jays fans.
However, the slugger continued to hit this year. He caught the attention of GM Ross Atkins, who hinted at a potential call-up before he eventually was.
“There’s always a place for really good offensive players,” Atkins said when asked about Keys. “The more versatility that you have on your roster, the better. (And) trying to add versatility to him will be important. … If he’s good enough, we’ll find a way for him to help our team.”
Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Keys was on their radar as he continued to hit homers in the minors. However, with Kazuma Okamoto at third base and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base, Keys’ fit with Toronto is a tough one.
Blue Jays Likely to get Guerrero Jr. Back Against Yankees
Toronto is likely set to get Vladimir Guerrero Jr. back this weekend.
Guerrero is on the 7-day concussion IL and is eligible to return on Saturday. He had a rehab outing on Thursday, and all signs point to him being ready to return on the weekend.
“As soon as he’s ready, feeling good and cleared and he feels like he’s got his timing, we’re going to try to get him back in there,” Schneider said.
Guerrero has struggled this season offensively as he’s hitting .263 with 7 home runs and 46 RBIs.
Toronto is 63-66 and is 0.5 games back of a Wild Card spot ahead of a three-game weekend series against the New York Yankees.
Blue Jays Urged to Promote 25-Home Run Slugger for Playoff Push