Sports

Composed Kikuchi in attack mode for Blue Jays as spring momentum builds

March 1, 2023

SARASOTA, Fla. – If Yusei Kikuchi’s spring debut was a bit of shocking, his encore Tuesday was quietly encouraging.

Going through the Orioles on three days’ relaxation, the left-hander pitched two hitless innings whereas persistently attacking the zone on his option to two strikeouts. Except for a four-pitch stroll to Ramon Urías that opened the second inning, he executed his plan of difficult opposing hitters with stuff that’s indisputably vigorous.

From the mound, Kikuchi may inform the reactions had been completely different from the Orioles, a workforce he confronted six occasions final yr.

“I used to be capable of attack the zone fairly nicely,” Kikuchi stated via interpreter Keito Ebino after a 2-1 Toronto win that got here inside two outs of being a Grapefruit League no-hitter. “That was the primary focus in the low season and what I’ve been doing all season to this point. Having the ability to have that two outings in a row simply makes me actually snug.”

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After the four-pitch stroll, supervisor John Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker exchanged a glance in the Blue Jays’ third-base dugout. In 2022, Kikuchi would typically spiral in moments like this. How would he reply this time?

“Pete and I had been speaking about that after the stroll,” Schneider recalled. “What’s he going to do? Then proper again and (there’s) strike one. Obtained proper again into rhythm. He’s in a great spot. He’s assured.”

Outings like this make Kikuchi the clear frontrunner for the Blue Jays’ fifth beginning job, not solely due to the outcomes however as a result of he’s repeating his supply extra persistently. Whether or not that’s because of the pitch clock, modifications in his personal psychological method or some mixture thereof, the end result for the Blue Jays is right: he’s not overthinking his mechanics.

“That’s simply not occurring this yr,” he stated. “Every part is evident and I’m simply extra snug on the mound.”

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Timelines in place for star debuts

After lacking the early phases of spring coaching to be current for the beginning of his first little one, Alejandro Kirk is predicted in Blue Jays camp Thursday. For the reason that 24-year-old catcher received’t be enjoying in the World Baseball Basic, his consideration can shift absolutely to the Blue Jays with 4 weeks remaining earlier than opening day.

“Comfortable we may try this for him,” Schneider stated. “He’s in a great spot. It’ll simply be a bit of little bit of a slower or faster ramp-up, relying on the way you need to have a look at it.”

Kirk has been catching high-velocity pitching machines and throwing to bases throughout his exercises in California, so he’s not ranging from scratch. Subsequent up, he’ll catch some pitchers on backfields and face reside pitching earlier than making his spring coaching debut. If all goes nicely, he might be in video games by early subsequent week – possibly sooner.

“It shouldn’t be too terribly lengthy,” Schneider stated.

In the meantime, Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman are slated to make their spring coaching debuts Thursday and Friday, respectively.

As for fellow starter Chris Bassitt, he debuted Tuesday with two innings towards the Detroit Tigers. A veteran of eight big-league seasons, he’s content material to construct up slowly, realizing that his most vital video games are weeks if not months away.

“I’ve been via this sufficient the place I understand how lengthy the season is,” Bassitt stated. “If I’m completely full bore proper now, I don’t know the way good I’m going to be come October.”

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Rookies contributions welcome

Late February is much too early to attract sweeping conclusions about gamers, however the early returns have been encouraging from younger pitchers like Ricky Tiedemann, Bowden Francis, Hayden Juenger and Sem Robberse.

Although none are favoured to interrupt camp with the workforce, all have intriguing stuff. And even setting the radar gun apart the Blue Jays hope to create a welcoming atmosphere for the younger gamers pushing towards the big-league roster.

“Gone are the times of, , making him do that or that or carry this or that,” Schneider stated. “Whenever you do arrive, whether or not it’s camp or season, you’re right here for a motive. We learn about you, we’re accustomed to you. And if they will sort of really feel that after they do arrive, I feel one of the best model of them comes out.”

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