Over the past two weeks, the Jays have been 6-6. The offense has averaged 4.9 runs per game, much better than 3.9 for the season.

It is the first time this season that the hot group is bigger than the cold.

Hot

Alejandro Kirk: Played in 10 games, starting 9. Hit .361/.378/.472 with 1 double, 1 home run, 6 RBI, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts.

All his starts were at catcher. It is nice to see him hitting the way we thought he would. And he’s throwing out 30% of basestealers. He could take the occasional walk, but that’s nitpicking.

Bo Bichette: Started all 12 games. Hit .306/.393/.571 with 4 doubles, 3 home runs, 7 RBI, 7 walks, 14 strikeouts.

He’s been great, and the 7 walks in 12 games must be some sort of record for him. If he continues to play like this, he will be a rich man. It is nice to see him doing so well. His defense isn’t great; FanGraphs has him at -4 runs above average, but we can live with that with him batting like this. I’d bet we’d be better off if he and Gimenez switched sides of the bag, but that’s not happening mid-season (if at all). I’m curious to see if contract talks start up or if the team decides to wait to see where we are at the trade deadline.

Vladimir Guerrero: Started all 12 games. Hit .333/.491/.452 with 2 doubles, 1 home runs, 2 RBI, 13 walks and 7 strikeouts.

11 of his starts were at first base, 1 at DH, but he ended up at first. I don’t know where the power is, but a .491 on-base average is impressive.000 I’d like him to be driving in runs; I expect it will come. I’m not a huge fan of his defense at first base. FanGraphs has him at 0 outs above average, which is fair. I thought he wasn’t hitting with RISP, but he is, .300/.423/.525.

Ernie Clement: Played in all 12 games, starting 11. Hit .349/.370/.488 with 3 doubles, 1 home run, 5 RBI, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts, 1 steal, 1 caught.

Started 2 games at third, and played a couple of innings at short, the rest at second. Playing every day seems to agree with Ernie. I’d have difficulty taking him out of the lineup when Gimenez returns. His defence isn’t much worse than Andres’ and his bat (at least lately) is much, much better. I am curious to see what happens, are they going to platoon him and Barger? Do they send Addison down? Or do they put Addison in LF?

Myles Straw: Played in all 12 games, starting 5. Hit .391/.391/.435 with 1 double, 5 RBI, 1 steal, 0 walks and 2 strikeouts.

He’s in a platoon with Nathan Lukes in left. I think that’s the best way to use him. And he’s been good in that role. He’s a good fourth outfielder.

Nathan Lukes: Played in 10 games, starting 9. Hit .207/.281/.414 with 2 home runs. 4 RBI, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts.

He played 6 games on the right and 4 games on the left. He and Straw seem to be in a platoon on the left, but with Santander having some minor injuries and Springer needing off-days, there is a fair bit of playing time in right. I like him as a fourth outfielder type.

Addison Barger: Played in 11 games, starting 10. Hit .316/.366/.579 with 4 doubles, 2 home runs, 7 RBI, 3 walks and 9 strikeouts.

All his playing time was at third base. He’s a favourite prospect of mine, so it is nice to see him hitting, but he will have to start hitting a little more consistently. I like him at third base, it is a great spot for his arm. But right field works too.

Daulton Varsho: Started 9 games. Hit .237/.225/.632 with 3 doubles, 4 home runs, 1 steal, 0 walks and 13 strikeouts.

So, the walk-to-strikeout rate and the OBA aren’t what we’d like. But then, 7 extra-base hits in 9 total is good. He’s been all or nothing at the plate. His defence has been great, and the climbing-the-wall stuff is just nuts. I have a hard time calling a .225 OBP hot. But on a team with no power, the four home runs are valuable.

Tyler Heineman: Played in 5 games, starting 3. Hit .333/.385/.417 with 1 double, 1 walk and 2 strikeouts and 1 steal.

He’s been everything you’d want from a backup catcher. He should be moved up the pinch-hitter list.

Cold

George Springer: Played in 12 games, started 11. Hit .163/.280/.349 with 2 doubles,2 home runs, 5 RBI, 1 steal, 7 walks, and 16 strikeouts.

Played DH 7 games, the rest in right. His great start has cooled off. He’s hitting under .200 this month. That’s the problem with getting off to quick starts, the manager starts moving you into the middle of the lineup and won’t notice you’ve stopped hitting until long after. Hopefully, he’ll start hitting again soon.

Anthony Santander: Played in 8 games, started all 7 games. Hit .200/.250/.300 with 1 home runs, 4 RBI, 2 walks and 11 strikeouts.

Started 3 in right, the rest at DH. We were so happy when the Jays signed him, but we are past the 1⁄4 mark of the season, and he is still far short of the Mendoza line. He didn’t finish 2024 well, I guess we should have been wondering if that would carry over. I hope he gets hitting soon, he could be useful for more than taking an IW with a better hitter behind him.

Jonathan Clase: Started 6 games. Hit .150/.150/.200 with 1 double, 2 RBI, 1 steal, 0 walks and 7 strikeouts.

He also had one sac bunt. I try not to read anything into 20 at-bats. He isn’t a bad fourth outfielder. I like having someone who can run on the bench and play all three outfield spots. I’d think he’ll hit better, but then I don’t know he’ll get the chance. We have several outfielders who deserve a spot (I’m wondering when Loperfido will get a chance).

Also Played

Michael Stefanic: Played in 3 games, 8 at-bats, 2 singles, 0 walks, and 1 strikeout.

I haven’t seen enough of him to form any opinion.

IL

Andrés Giménez: Played in 2 games. Hit .286/.286/.429 with a double.

He has started ‘baseball activities’, including running. They figure he’ll be back around the end of the month.