Article: Toronto Blue Jays ALDS Awards

[Mike LeSage]

In the review of Game 4 we noted what a team effort that particular game was. That’s been the story of the season. This team has spoken publicly about how tight of a unit they are. When a new player joins the team or gets called up they are immediately integrated into the main squad. This team approach is reflected in the stats the players put up in the ALDS too. Eight out of 12 players that took an at bat in the series put up an above average wRC+ and all but one pitcher gave up 2 earned runs of fewer. While team awards would be easy, we’re going to drill down on a few individual performances and send some guys home with a little extra hardware.

ALDS MVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Who else could it be but Vladdy? He homered in each of the first three games of the series and then opened the scoring with an RBI-single in the first inning of Game 4. His nine RBI were the most in the series. His nine hits and 324 wRC+ were (tied for) the most in the series. Jays fans often questioned why we would pitch to Aaron Judge in certain situations, but by the end of the series we were asking “why do they keep pitching to Vladdy?”. Brandon Glick wrote about Guerrero Jr. not just living up to the moment, but becoming it. In Game 2 when Will Warren came in to replace starter Max Fried, Guerrero Jr. found himself coming to the plate with the bases loaded. All he did with the moment was hit the first ever grand slam in Blue Jays postseason history.

The Dave Stieb Playoff Debut Award: Trey Yesavage
Yesavage got the ball for Game 2 and not only gave the Yankees nightmares with his splitter and 18 whiffs, but he made history too. His dominant performance in front of the home crowd (only his second ever start in Toronto) took the baton from Kevin Gausman and kept things running. His game score is behind only Stieb’s debut in Jays postseason history and I expect he’s locked himself into the Game 2 slot for the ALCS too.

The Rodney Dangerfield No Respect Award: Ernie Clement
Clement was a strong consideration for the last two awards. While Yesavage was making his playoff debut in his fourth major league start, Clement was making his after 434 games. He was on the taxi squad with Cleveland in 2022, but didn’t get to the main roster. When I noted that Vladdy’s nine hits and 324 wRC+ were tied for the team lead - it was Clement he was tied with. He was the only Jays hitter to not record a strike out and he also didn’t walk - he was all bat. He admitted to blacking out after hitting his first home run and then almost missed the team picture after the series was won. Clement put up an ALDS to remember. 

The Tarps Off, Call the Horses Award: George Springer
Springer homered and scored four times in the series, but his overall performance was slightly disappointing compared to the level he’s been playing at all season. The 89 wRC+ and 25% K-rate are things we’d like to see tossed for the next series. Just like Springer tossed his shirt within seconds of the Jays securing victory. He was the first guy to go topless when Toronto secured the division in game 162 and he was the first to whip it off this round too. I haven’t seen it available anywhere as a betting option (probably because it’s a lock), but I’d bet he’s the first to shed his top at the conclusion of the ALCS too.

The Sportsnet is Going to Need a 5-second Delay Award: Kevin Gausman
There were a number of incredible quotes and moments captured in the aftermath of the ALDS. Guerrero Jr. and David Ortiz yelling “DAAAAAAA Yankees lose!” is the one that most will remember, but it didn’t have the curse factor needed for this award. John Schnieder’s “Start spreading the news” was instantly iconic and certainly in consideration for this award. Gausman gets the award for putting up numbers though - in six seconds he drops 3 f-bombs and an “I don’t give a s***”. He’s fired up and he’s ready to go. I can’t wait to see him start Game 1 against Seattle.

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