Beginning with the club's new bonafide ace Ricky Romero. Romero threw 225 Innings over 32 starts, allowing only 176 Hits and 80 Walks while striking out 178 for a great WHIP of 1.14. Ricky Ro finished with a very respectable 15-11 record and an ERA of 2.92. With better run support, Romero could have easily surpassed the 20-win plateau. He also proved he could pitch deeper into games with 4 Complete Games, two of which were shutouts. It's always good to have a consistent arm like Ricky at the front of the rotation. Unfortunately, aside from Romero, there was little to brag about in the Jays starting rotation.
Brandon Morrow had a strong finish to his season, but struggled mightily at times throughout the year. His 11-11 record and 4.72 ERA don't really do justice to just how bad Morrow really pitched at certain points. Over 179.1 Innings, Morrow gave up 162 Hits and 69 Base on Balls for a WHIP of 1.29, which is not too shabby at all. He also Struck Out 203 batters and held hitters to a .237 Average. The biggest issue was his untimely mistakes and 21 Home Runs allowed. He was often unable to pitch into the 6th and 7th Innings due to elevated pitch counts and never threw a Complete Game all season. If Morrow can remain consistent and pitch like he did during his final few outings, the Jays will have a solid number two starter for 2012.
The third spot in the rotation belonged to Brett Cecil, who, unfortunately, struggled throughout the entire season and finished up with a lackluster 4-11 record and 4.73 ERA. Between his AAA send-downs and MLB call-ups, Cecil managed 20 starts and threw 123.2 Innings, allowing 122 Hits and 43 Walks for a WHIP of 1.33. His 22 Homers-allowed was a real killer and seemed to always occur at the most inopportune of moments. He will need to forget about 2011 completely as there is very little to look fondly upon, and focus solely on his performance for the 2012 season. Cecil is a very talented hurler and may need to work slightly on his mechanics with the Jays staff.
23-year old Kyle Drabek, son of former Cy Young award winner Doug Drabek, started the season with the big club, but that was basically the extent of his accomplishments at the Major League level in 2011. Over 18 Games (14 starts), Drabek went 4-5 with an atrocious ERA of 6.06 in 78.2 Innings Pitched. He surrendered 87 Hits and 55 free passes to only 51 K's as well for an elevated WHIP of 1.81. Drabek is still a very young and developing pitcher, however, and I have little doubt that he will be back in the starting rotation in 2012 and looking to improve his numbers drastically.
Another high point in the Jays rotation was 21 year-old Venezuelan Henderson Alvarez. Alvarez was called up near the end of the season and made ten starts posting a 1-3 record and 3.53 ERA which hardly speak for as well as he actually pitched. In 63.2 IP, Henderson surrendered 64 Hits, but only 8 BB while Striking Out 40 for a WHIP of 1.13. I would definitely look to see Alvarez making waves in Spring Training and possibly a spot in the rotation for the Regular Season as well.
Arguably the high point in the entire season was the return of Dustin McGowan who was fresh off of Tommy John Surgery. McGowan had not thrown a pitch in the Majors since 2008 when he made his return this September. His numbers were far from stellar, but the fact he was able to make a full recovery and throw 21 Innings over 5 Games is very much a positive for Jays fans. He finished with a 0-2 record and an ERA way up there at 6.43. His 13 Walks and 4 HR issued prove that his control is not completely there yet, but his 20 K's is another good sign. It will be very interesting to see how Dustin reacts this upcoming Spring after finally getting a break in the off season.
Right-hander Carlos Villanaueva also made 13 starts this past season, and performed quite well. Over a total of 33 Games Played, he posted a 6-4 record and an ERA of 4.04. He could make an impact at either Starter on as a Long Relief man in 2012.
The Blue Jays Bullpen also had a lot of highs and lows in 2011. The biggest high would have to be the performance of righty Casey Janssen. Casey was untouchable at times throughout the year and finished undefeated at 6-0 with a sparkling ERA of 2.26, which would have been much lower had he not struggled in just one game at the end of the season. In 55 GP and 55.2 IP, Janssen allowed 47 Hits and 14 BB for a WHIP of 1.10. He also managed to Strike Out 53 hitters. He will have a guaranteed spot in the 'Pen next season and will hopefully have a very similar season.
One of the major disappointments at the back end of the bullpen was right-handed closer Jon Rauch. The 6'11" Rauch finished 5-4 with an ERA of 4.85, and was only able to convert 11 of 16 Save opportunities.
Frank Francisco, who ended the season as the #1 man to close down games for John Farrell's Jays, had a very strong second half, especially down the stretch. Francisco finished with a record of 1-4 and a 3.55 ERA. He converted 17 of 21 Saves and struck out 53 men in just over 50 Innings.
With the late season departures of all-time appearance leader Jason Frasor, Marc Rzepczynski and Octavio Dotel for Lefties Brian Tallet & Trever Miller who basically were just throw-ins in the acquisition of CF Cody Rasmus, The Jays took the opportunity to test out the arm of Dominican-born Joel Carreno. Carreno pitched spectacular down the stretch going 1-0 in 11 games and finishing with a minuscule ERA of 1.15.
Rounding out the pen were righties Shawn Camp who can always be depended upon for his rubber arm, and the returning Jesse Litsch. Camp finished the campaign 6-3 with a 4.21 ERA, but had a rather high WHIP at 1.52. Litsch was terrible in a starting role and ended up in the 'pen and was death on right-handed hitters. Litsch also finished at 6-3 with an ERA of 4.44 over 75 Innings thrown.
The Catcher position appears to be locked up for a long time to come as J.P. Arencebia's rookie campaign saw the young backstop setting the Blue Jays record for most Home Runs in a season by a catcher, with 23. J.P. also added 78 RBIs to his solid year. The .219 average is not overly impressive, but rather something Arencebia will look to build upon in 2012. Overall, a very positive season for J.P.
In his first year as First Baseman Adam Lind was surprisingly efficient in the field and very streaky with the stick. Lind was one of the most consistent players the Jays had through the first half of the year, but saw his numbers faulter as the season progressed. He ended the campaign with an Average of .251 with 26 HRs and 87 RBIs. Lind more than likely would have ended with over 30 Homers and 100 RBIs had he been able to surpass 500 At-Bats, ending with 499 after injuries cut his season short.
Just as Aaron Hill was going through many struggles as Blue Jays Second Baseman, Diamond Backs' Kelly Johnson was having a similar season. When the late-season deal was made, the change of scenery seemed to be the best for both parties. Johnson hit .270 as a Jay with 3 HR and 9 RBI over 33 games and 115 At Bats. He'll look to get his numbers back to where they were with Arizona in 2010.
Canadian-born Third Baseman Brett Lawrie hit the Majors in a big way in 2011 and would make an immediate splash with fans and teammates alike. Over 43 Games, Lawrie hit .293 with 9 HR and 25 RBI. Surely Rookie of the Year credentials over a full season. Lawrie also added 8 Doubles, 4 Triples, and 7 Stolen Bases to his numbers, and played steady defense at the Hot Corner.
Captain of the infield and leadoff hitter Yunel Escobar played an exceptional Shortstop for T.O. in 2011. Along with his stellar defense, Escobar also batted a very solid .290 with 11 HR and 48 RBIs, along with 24 Doubles. Escobar also only struck out 70 times during the season, while accumulating 61 Base on Balls.
Another popular young stud among the Jays was Left Fielder Eric Thames. Thames came up about mid-season and was a steady performer during the second half of the year, hitting .262 with 12 Homers and 37 driven in, as well as 24 Doubles and 5 Three-Baggers. Earlier on during his stay with the big club, Thames' defense was questioned, but he continued to work in the field and became a much more dependable fielder as a result.
Center Field will be held down by 24-year old Cody Rasmus who was acquired from the Cardinals late in the season. Over 35 Games and 133 At Bats, Cody only managed a .173 AVG with 3 Dingers and 13 Runs Batted In. He also struck out 39 times in those few appearances at the dish. The Jays will really need Rasmus to perform a lot better in 2012 to stand any chance.
In Right Field, the Jays perennial MVP Candidate Jose Bautista did what he does best and hit the stitches right off the ball. Improving in average from his amazing 2010 campaign, at .302, Jose again led the Major leagues in Home Runs for the second consecutive season, at 43. Jose also drove in 103 Runs and scored 105 himself, and did so while being walked 132 times, 24 of which were of the intentional variety. There's little that can be said that will hold a candle to a clip of Jose swinging the stick. Quite possibly the best looking right-handed swing I have ever witnessed.
Arguably the most efficient and consistent hitter the Blue Jays had in the lineup the second half of the season was Designated Hitter Edwin Encarnacion. After a horrendous start to the year, Edwin really excelled after the All-Star Break, and finished the campaign hitting a very respectable .272 with 17 HRs and 55 RBIs. He also led the Jays in Doubles with 36, and played a much-improved defense at both Third and First Base. He will be a priority to resign I would like to believe.
So, overall, the core of young talent is very strong for the Toronto Blue Jays going into the 2011 Off Season. I am looking for the Jays to jump ahead of both the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, and battle the New York Yankees for top spot in the ultra competitive American League East Division.
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