Toronto Blue Jays 2009 Season Preview: Hitting
Lineup Faces Many Questions In Spring Training
Feb 24, 2009
The Jays have laced up the boots for another kicked at the can for 2009, and the batting order once again has more questions than answers – and another injury to Wells is not the right way to solve problems.
For the last few seasons, injuries and inconsistencies have plagued the Toronto line-up, with Wells, first baseman Lyle Overbay, outfielder Alex Rios, third baseman Scott Rolen and second baseman Aaron Hill all spending significant time on the Disabled List. And when those men represent a large portion of your offense, things can get dicey in a hurry.
Aaron Hill returns
Perennial glass half-full types are praying for some luck this year. It can’t always be this bad, can it? Well, there is good news. Rolen is well rested. Rios has been working hard. Wells has worked with a personal trainer all winter to get into optimal shape and improve his power.
But perhaps most importantly, Aaron Hill has shaken off the effects of a concussion and is now hoping to use spring training to rediscover his swing. If he does, he becomes a top of the order threat for the bluebirds.
Power Hitters Are Lacking
Of grave concern for manager Cito Gaston is the seeming lack of power in the starting nine. Wells led the team in 2008 with 20 homeruns. This year he will need to provide 35 plus and some other players must step up and help him carry the burden.
Travis Snyder, who hit two in 24 games, and Adam Lind with nine in 88 are expected to further grow in that category, and Rios, Rolen and catcher Rod Barajas will also need decent seasons.
Jays Lineup Lacks Strength
General Manager J.P. Ricciardi has come under fire for his building of the team, and a quick look at 2008’s numbers shows no discernible strength in the line-up. They don’t particularly hit well for average – Wells was the highest regular at .300 -- or power, and there are no serious stolen base threats. They also were not incredible with runners in scoring position, so all signs point to a tough time scoring runs.
Hypothetical Opening Day Line-up
1) Joe Inglett - SS (Questions about 2B/SS, but Inglett is a good shot for either based on '08)
2) Aaron Hill - 2B (Hill is a lock for the top of the order)
3) Alex Rios - RF (Rios, Wells, Overbay and Rolen are interchangable depending on production/pitcher)
4) Vernon Wells - CF (Wells is not your ideal #4 hitter, but he's all the power they have)
5) Scott Rolen - 3B (Rolen and Lind will interchange based on production)
6) Lyle Overbay - 1B (Could be a #3 or #5 guy with a good year - Needs to start hitting doubles again)
7) Rob Barajas - C (Barajas was steady as needed last year - a pleasant surprise)
8) Adam Lind - DH/LF (Lind has the chance to move up if his average and power numbers are there)
9) Travis Snyder - DH/LF (Based on cameo of last year, might be one of the best #9 hitters in the league)
While hopes are not incredibly high, it will all change if Rolen, Rios and Wells regain all-star form and stay healthy. Overbay, Barajas and Hill will also play major roles and with Joe Inglett’s emergence and two prime young guns in Lind and Snyder there is a chance things could turn out well.
The Jays always surprise you, that's for sure. You just never know if it will be good or bad.
