In a recent article on MLB.com Anthony Castrobinsthe Toronto Blue Jays were named the fourth-best lineup in Major League Baseball.
This is the predicted lineup put together by Castrovince, and one spot should obviously be changed.
1.) George Springer, RF
2.) Beau Bichette, SS
3.) Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
4.) Alejandro Kirk, C
5.) Matt Chapman, 3B
6.) Danny Jansen, DH
7.) Daulton Varsho, LF (Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was first on the list)
8.) Santiago Espinal, 2B
9.) Kevin Kiermeier, CF
Man, this is one of those great looking lineups. Top to bottom, the Jays have the best starting nine in the game.
I personally believe Kirk and Jansen will swap positions on opening day. Jansen is much better at bat than Kirk, so Jansen catches and Kirk becomes the designated hitter.
Last season, wRC+ recorded 2nd place in the league (118 in total), and the lineup emphasizes defense rather than offense. Either way, this is a talent-filled club that speaks volumes for being listed above some of baseball’s superteams like the Braves and Dodgers.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is slated to return not only as the starting lineup for the Blue Jays, but as the face of the club as a whole. He is part of the league’s strongest hitter trio, along with Beau Bichette and Alejandro Kirk.
Steamer predicts Guerrero will hit 40 homers next season, have 113 RBIs and a total of 5.4 fWAR. Bichette said he hit 26 homers and is projected to have 91 RBIs and he has a 4.2 total fWAR.
(Some) ZiPS, STEAMER, and FanGraphs depth chart predictions are now live, so look out for an upcoming series of articles that go into even more detail about next season’s predictions. These will start his January 1st and will cover every player on his 40-man roster for the Blue Jays.
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