Kendrys Morales crushes first home run for Toronto Blue Jays (video)

As if the Toronto Blue Jays need another power hitter, Kendrys Morales showed he will fit right in.

With Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista leading the way, the Toronto Blue Jays have one of the most powerful lineups in all of baseball. The loss of Edwin Encarnacion in free agency stands to hurt, but when he proved to be out of their price range the Blue Jays signed his theoretical replacement pretty early in the offseason.

Kendrys Morales hit 30 home runs and drove in 93 last season with Kansas City Royals, and over his two seasons with the Royals, he totaled 52 home runs and 199 RBI with a .277/.344/.476 slash-line. He signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Blue Jays back in mid-November, with the idea he will be the team’s primary designated hitter.

Heading into Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Rays, Morales had one hit in eight at-bats and one RBI on the young season. Off young Rays’ left-hander Blake Snell in the top of the third inning, Morales showed off his power.

Morales’ grand slam to break a scoreless tie measured 444 feet, and it was the team’s first home run of the season as well as his first in a Blue Jays’ uniform. The grand slam, and the ball park it happened in, carries a bit historical context for the franchise too.

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Morales may play first base a bit for the Blue Jays, most likely in National League parks during interleague play, but he has basically become a full-time DH in recent years and his bat will drive his value. If Thursday’s home run is any indicator, he won’t disappoint.