The Toronto Blue Jays‘ offense was incredibly impressive in 2021.
The team ranked third in runs scored with 846, just behind the Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Blue Jays led the league in isolated power (.200) and home runs, with 262, 21 more than the second-ranked team (the San Francisco Giants).
They did lose Marcus Semien to free agency, but they also added slugging third baseman Matt Chapman to the mix.
The New York Yankees will get their first taste of the Blue Jays’ offense this afternoon:
#BlueJays lineup vs #Yankees this afternoon pic.twitter.com/SlgFxpfeBp
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) March 22, 2022
Keep in mind that the Blue Jays produced those offensive numbers without George Springer for most of the first half of the season, and with Cavan Biggio struggling to replicate the form that made him an impressive rookie in 2019.
A Dangerous Lineup From Top To Bottom
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a legitimate case for the Triple Crown last year, and remains arguably MLB’s most productive hitter.
Springer, Grichuk, Gurriel, Chapman, Guerrero, and Teoscar Hernandez (who is not in today’s lineup, but is considered a surefire starter) can all hit more than 30 home runs with relative ease if they are healthy.
Bichette’s ceiling is more like 25-30, but he was one of the most consistent performers last year, hitting .298/.343/.484 with 29 homers and 25 steals.
The lineup has a little bit of everything, but it has power above all things.
If Guerrero stays healthy, he is a legitimate MVP candidate: last year, he hit .311/.401/.601 with 48 home runs, and was the Jays’ most valuable player according to Wins Above Replacement (WAR), with 6.7.
Additionally, the Jays have three very good catchers in Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk, and uber-prospect Gabriel Moreno.
Some teams don’t even have one.
All in all, the Blue Jays’ lineup is in a good place at the moment, and going through it will be a headache for opposing pitchers.
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