Blue Jays surprising infielder could crack roster.
The Toronto Blue Jays could have a surprising addition to the 26-man roster this season.
With Bo Bichette’s return to Toronto unlikely, the Blue Jays could look in-house to add another infielder to the bench. Although there are veteran options in free agency, Blue Jays analyst Mitch Bannon of The Athletic
“Infielder Josh Kasevich and catcher Brandon Valenzuela could also crack the 26-man roster fairly quickly. They’re both one injury away from a big league bench role,” Bannon wrote on Monday.
Kasevich has been one of Toronto’s top prospects for years now. The team selected him in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, and since then, the versatile infielder has shown why.
Kasvevich fits perfectly into what the Blue Jays want to do as he’s a glove-first infielder who hits for contact and not much power. He can play shortstop and third base, which gives Toronto more positional flexibility going into the season on the infield, especially if Bichette doesn’t return.
In Triple-A Buffalo last season, Kasevich hit .173 with zero home runs and 6 RBIs, but that was in just 29 games. He dealt with injuries last season as he appeared in just 42 games, but if he can have a good spring training and start well in Triple-A, Kasevich could be knocking on the door of an MLB call-up.
Kasevich Called a ‘Organizational Favorite’
Although Kasevich dealt with injuries last season, he is still one of the team’s top prospects.
MLB Pipeline ranks Kasevich as the team’s 12th-ranked prospect, and the outlet called him an organizational favorite.
“Kasevich is an organizational favorite, from coaches to the development staff,” the article read. “You’ll hear the word “machine” a lot, and some coaches have even noticed older players gravitating towards Kasevich, given how he handles his business. Prospects younger than Kasevich have tried to emulate him, too, which is one of the highest forms of praise.
“Another extremely intelligent young prospect, Kasevich is also one of the strongest defensive shortstops in the organization with tremendous body control while fielding. He’ll still see the odd game at third base, but the Blue Jays fully believe in Kasevich as a shortstop long-term, betting heavily on both his mental and physical games.”
Although Kasevich doesn’t have much power, the outlet believes he can show enough contact to be a bottom-of-the-order bat. But Kasevich’s defense and glove will be the reason he reaches the majors and could play a key role.
Blue Jays Unlikely to Bring Back Bichette
Toronto has had an active offseason, but the team will likely move on from Bichette.
Bichette remains a free agent, and Bannon believes a reunion is unlikely.
“The Toronto Blue Jays remain linked to All-Star hitters Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker,” Bannon wrote. “Although league sources said the Jays have increased their efforts to recruit Tucker, who remains a roster fit after the signing of Japanese slugger Kazuma Okamoto, a reunion with Bichette appears increasingly unlikely.”
With Bichette unlikely to return to the Blue Jays, he’s set to have a meeting with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Bichette has led the AL in hits twice in his career.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more.
