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Toronto Blue Jays 2015 season preview and predictions

By Robby Sabo

Sep 7, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes (7) congratulates right fielder Jose Bautista (19) after a three run home run during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes (7) congratulates right fielder Jose Bautista (19) after a three run home run during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) warms up before the start of the spring training game against the Boston Red Sox at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Aaron Sanchez (41) warms up before the start of the spring training game against the Boston Red Sox at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

3 Players to Watch

  1. SP, Aaron Sanchez
  2. SP, Drew Hutchison
  3. OF, Michael Saunders

Despite general manager Alex Anthopoulos and the rest of the Jays brass getting the green light two seasons ago to go “all in,” they’ve still done pretty well for themselves in the development game. Exhibit A is 22-year old pitching phenom Aaron Sanchez.

Sanchez was brought up for a cup of coffee towards the end of 2014. To say he impressed would be the understatement of the century as his four-seamer and sinker are routinely in the mid to upper 90’s.

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The young man finished with three saves, a 1.09 earned run average (ERA), and 27 strikeouts (K) in only 33 innings pitched (IP) coming out of the Toronto bullpen. Now, thanks to Marcus Stroman going down for the season, he’ll be thrust into the number-four slot of the starting staff.

Drew Hutchison is another young arm to look out for.

At only 24-years of age, Hutchison struck out 184 batters in 184.2 innings with the Jays in 2014. Lowering that 4.48 ERA will be focus number-one.

Michael Saunders coming from Seattle will be relied upon to be that one lefty bat in the heart of the order. With Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson all hitting right-handed, Saunders coming into his own will be key for manager John Gibbons to enjoy putting out lineups on a daily basis.

Next: Keys for Success

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