DUNEDIN, Fla. — The enthusiasm was jacked up to high as outfielder Kevin Kiermaier was talking about his first game action as a Blue Jay.
He was ecstatic to be back between the lines for the first time since last July 9, he said, a feeling compounded by the bursting optimism he is feeling about his new team.
And then Vlad happened.
A Vlad Guerrero Jr. home run — his second in as many spring games — cleared the wall in left field at TD Ballpark, exiting as the Jays new centre fielder was talking about his own team.
“He’s so good,” Kiermaier said, shaking his head in awe. “So good. I’m glad that guy’s on my team.”
On a brilliant afternoon in which the Jays fell 9-5 to a split squad of New York Yankees, Kiermaier was thrilled about plenty — and showed his teammates signs of why they’ll be glad to have him, as well.
When his 2022 season with the Tampa Bay Rays ended prematurely and required hip surgery, his future was in some doubt. But landing in Toronto on a one-year, $9-million US contract, has Kiermaier exuding fresh start vibes, a feeling that burst to the surface on Sunday.
“It felt good to play a baseball game again,” said Kiermaier. “I feel phenomenal out there. I feel like I have my quickness and my speed back. It doesn’t hurt to run any more. I have strength and stability in this hip again and it’s going to pay huge dividends in all phases of my game.
“I can talk about it all I want, but I want to go out there and prove that to everyone during the course of the full season.”
In his debut, Kiermaier wasted no time making a flashy first impression, validating the way he’s feeling and those elite outfield skills. On a single to centre, Kiermaier fielded the ball on the run then made a strong throw to the plate where catcher Rob Brantly tagged out on the Yanks base-runner.
“I got back to the dugout and said ‘This is why they brought me here, this is what they want me to do,’” Kiermaier said. “I’m going to try to make as many plays as I can and, as spring progresses, I’m just going to keep my body feeling good and get locked in as time goes on.”
What did his new manager think about a play all too familiar to him?
“Finally it wasn’t one of our guys he threw out,” Jays skipper John Schneider said. “I told him when he came in: ‘That didn’t take long. He knows it’s a huge part of his game and he takes red in it and works at it. I’m glad to have him on our side.”
GREAT NATE?
Nate Pearson’s journey to re-establish himself as a top arm — albeit now as a reliever — took a step forward in his spring debut on Sunday.
The big, hard-throwing righty allowed a run on two hits but struck out three in his one inning.
Most notable among the whiffs was a 100-mph fastball he blew by the Yankees’ Josh Donaldson.
“It was nice to get the first one under my belt,” Pearson said. “I felt like I was moving easy and the numbers were good.
“I’m definitely coming into spring training a full go. I feel strong.”
And he looked it, as well. For now, the team isn’t getting too far ahead of itself on Pearson, whose ascent from top prospect to contributing big leaguer has been halted too many times by injury.
But they’re also quietly impressed with the work he’s putting in.
“Electric stuff,” Schneider said. “When he’s in the zone consistently, it’s a really tough matchup for any hitter.”
Donaldson, who got to know Pearson when he was with the Jays and the pitcher was a hot-shot top draft pick, also was impressed.
“He looked like he was a little excited, first day out,” Donaldson said. “He’s got good stuff. I don’t think that’s ever been a question with him.”
Two spring training games and two home runs certainly qualifies as an encouraging development from the bat of Guerrero.
A day after belting a 432-foot blast in Bradenton, he launched a 401-foot follow-up.
“I think everything that he’s doing stands out in a different way in terms of his routines, his prep, his focus,” Schneider said. “It started when he got here in January, so I’m not really surprised. Right now, you feel like he’s going to do something dangerous every time he’s at the plate.”
AROUND THE BASES
Among the encouraging bullpen signs on Sunday: Closer Jordan Romano flashing 98 mph with this fastball … The Alejandro Kirk baby watch continues, but the debate over whether the Jays catcher will play for team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic is over. He’s not going. “It’s nice not to have to worry about being in the WBC with the (new) rules, getting those reps and physical buildup,” Schneider said. Still no word on when he will arrive in camp, however, as he awaits the birth of his first child back in Tijuana, Mexico … A crowd of 7,011 filled TD Ballpark, the biggest gathering for a Jays game since the team’s spring training home was renovated prior to the 2020 season … Next up is one of the longer road trips of the Grapefruit League schedule as the Jays head south to North Port to face GM Alex Anthopoulos’ Atlanta Braves. It won’t be a roster heavy in big leaguers on the bus, however. Drew Hutchison is scheduled to get the start.