DUNEDIN, Fla. — With a veteran lineup bolstered with off-season additions, there hasn’t been a lot of position battle drama in Blue Jays spring training.
But with less than a week remaining until the team ships north for the season, there’s one dude determined to bull his way into the opening day lineup. Even if at this point it remains a long shot.
Daulton Varsho, the high energy, all world defender almost certainly won’t be ready physically to patrol centre field when the curtain raises on the 2025 season on March 27.
But given the renewed success he’s had over the past month, would he be a candidate to slot in as designated hitter until he’s fit to field?
As Varsho rapidly recovers from off-season shoulder surgery – and is in fact ahead of schedule – his work at the plate should be forcing manager John Schneider and his analytics overlords to at least consider opening the critical campaign as the team’s designated hitter.
A player whose offensive production has tempered his overall brilliance has been drilling the ball with authority during Grapefruit League play. In seven games and 20 plate appearances prior to Sunday’s contest against the Atlanta Braves at TD Ballpark, Varsho led the team with four homers. It has certainly been an encouraging development for whenever he gets a chance to flash it for real.
Schneider wouldn’t rule out the early-season DH assignment, but didn’t make is sound like the organization is enamoured with the idea.
“Never want to say no, but I think right now that wouldn’t be the best for him or us,” Schneider said on Sunday. “We’ve had conversations with him about that. But again, trying to gauge where his arm is. I think we want to keep our options open in terms of who is occupying (DH.)”
As for the shoulder itself, one of the final boxes to check is Varsho’s velocity as he continues to build strength.
“Weird to have a radar gun on an outfielder, but everything is measurable these days,” Schneider said. “I think we’ll have it figured out by the end of the week at the latest.”
However it shakes out, Varsho has impressed many with a retooled approach at the plate.
“Obviously, this whole shoulder thing kind of slowed me down a little bit, so I was able to work on things,” Varsho said. “I’ve been able to be a little more direct to the baseball and it’s allowed me to see that if I just stay short and quick to it, good things happen.
“It’s helping me to drive the ball and it helps to maximize power. Obviously it’s different with every pitcher, but so far what I’ve been doing has allowed me to trust my swing.”
Varsho has hit for power in spots during his career, including the 27 homers he busted out in 2022 with Arizona. There were flashes of that pop in 2024 as well when he had 21, even with a shoulder that was nagging him for much of the season.
In two seasons with the Jays, there have been adjustments to hinder that production. A new team. New coaches. New ballparks. And new pitchers to face.
“I’ve switched leagues a number of times and it’s not easy, there’s always a learning curve,” says Jays starter Chris Bassitt. “So there’s a learning curve there. And then I think it’s just being comfortable because his offensive came is there.”
In the present, mechanically there has been a focus on Varsho being able to master on a trajectory more suited to his strengths.
“I think him understanding that a lower ball flight is probably better for him because he does hit the ball hard,” Schneider said. “We’re just trying to get away from some of those pops ups, whether it be to the infield or the outfield. He’s made a lot of good strides. He’s hit it off with (new Jays hitting coach David Popkins) and that’s led to a better understanding of where he should attack.”
Varsho’s reconstructed upper body already has withstood some banging into walls and sliding into bases and he’s been regularly throwing to 110 feet and beyond.
“It’s just range of motion that’s left now,” Varsho said. “I’ve been throwing to 105 feet and everything feels strong. There’s no pain. It’s just getting back to that normal range of motion that will allow me to have confidence in the field.”
It is there on defence, of course, where Varsho is most revered by teammates and most feared by opposing hitters. The reigning American League Gold Glove Award winning centre fielder is an ace out there.
And if the pre-season form continues, perhaps a credible bat for what the Jays hope will be a renewed attack.