Final yr, Cavan Biggio and Santiago Espinal led a gaggle that mixed to hit .249 with 10 dwelling runs and a .691 O.P.S. Throughout a down 2021 season, Chapman hit .210 with 27 dwelling runs and a .716 O.P.S. In his earlier 4 seasons mixed, he posted an .839 O.P.S., and he smashed 36 dwelling runs in 2019.
In explaining the dip in offense final yr, Chapman pointed to hip surgical procedure he had undergone in September 2020 that required rehabilitation throughout the low season and thus minimize into his energy and conditioning heading into the 2021 season. He stated he had felt the weak spot extra on the plate than within the subject. Over the winter, he stated, he lifted weights, ran and constructed his energy as he usually would.
Chapman, although, will make his mark on protection. Blue Jays pitchers produced plenty of floor balls towards third base final season — one thing Chapman was already salivating over — and that ought to work nicely for the three-time Gold Glove award winner. In 2018 and 2019, he reached a good increased degree, profitable the Platinum Glove, an annual prize given to the only finest defender in every league no matter place. The Blue Jays hope the big defensive improve may help them win their first championship since 1993.
“On the finish there in Oakland, quite a bit have been beginning to query the course it was going,” he stated. “However coming right here, the course is obvious: desirous to win a World Sequence.”
Within the coming days and weeks, Guerrero stated, his purpose is to get to know all the new faces on the staff. Falling wanting the postseason final yr, he stated, will encourage the Blue Jays to win “greater than 100 video games” this season. (Fortunately for them, the postseason has expanded from 10 to 12 groups.) And in his thoughts, the film he has dreamed of has one specific ending.
“There are 29 different groups competing, too,” Guerrero stated, “however that’s the mind-set right here: to achieve the World Sequence and win it.”
