The poise of Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette has really been showing this year. If this teams wants to reach their goal of playing in the World Series this season, they will need him to be at his best, and show he can carry this team and become their leader both on the field, and in the clubhouse.
Growing as a Player
Bichette has been growing as a baseball player, as well as a leader, since his arrival in Toronto in 2019. His teammates recognize him as a great clubhouse player to have around. He has an even-keeled outlook, and never gets too high when things are going well, nor gets down when he is in a slump and things are not going his or the team’s way. Being that type of player, that calmness comes, in part, from being the son of a former major league player Dante Bichette.
The elder Bichette was a keen student of the game. He was a fan favorite for the Colorado Rockies, and there was much more to his career than the image of a free-swinging slugger. Many former teammates called him the best clubhouse teammate they’ve had in their careers, and it appears he has instilled some of that in his son Bo.
Always Learning
It is evident that the younger Bichette always wants to learn what it takes to be a complete baseball player. He has a powerful swing, but controls it well and can hit the ball in the alleys in the outfield. He has worked hard on improving his defense at shortstop, showing cleaner footwork and increased accuracy and coverage with the double-play ball.
Contract Extension
The poise of Toronto Blue Jays Bo Bichette heading into this season landed him a three-year contract extension worth $33.6 million. While some thought this was a little premature, the Blue Jays wanted to keep their three offensive power players Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer, together. (Add in a possible fourth power player, Daulton Varsho, whom they traded for in December.)
They are trying to build off of a successful 2022 season when they went 92–70, and made the playoffs. Even though that postseason was short-lived, they feel they are on the cusp of being a World Series team. Keeping Bichette is critical to their success.
Great start to the Season
The poise of Toronto Blue Jays Bo Bichette is showing through the great season he’s had to date. Through Sunday’s game he leads the AL in batting average, plate appearances, at-bats, total bases, and hits. He is on pace to set career highs in home runs and RBI. Over his last seven games he is hitting .452 with a slugging percentage of .742.
Potential for the Team Still Unfulfilled
The Blue Jays haven’t really played to their potential yet. They have been playing well enough to maintain a winning record. However, playing well and a winning record still finds them in last place in the very competitive AL East division.
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This team has the potential and ability to win the division. However, they haven’t been connecting at the same time. There is plenty of talent on this team and time for them to play to their potential. They need Guerrero Jr. to return to his 2021 season form. Meanwhile, if Springer can find his swing, and if pitcher Alek Manoah can rebound from his lackluster start, this team should be able to contend. Add in Bichette putting up career numbers and they have nowhere to go but up.
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