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Early Spring Training Prediction Of Toronto Blue Jays’ 2015 Opening Day Lineup

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Early Spring Training Prediction Of Toronto Blue Jays' 2015 Opening Day Lineup

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There is a good deal of excitement around the Toronto Blue Jays this spring as the team is still hoping to put together a contender. Here is an early prediction of the team's 2015 Opening Day lineup.

1. Jose Reyes, Shortstop

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1. Jose Reyes, Shortstop

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Reyes appears to be in slight decline heading into his third season in Toronto, but he's still a spark plug at the top of a major league lineup. He still has game-changing speed and can be a handful for opposing pitchers to deal with once he gets on base.

2. Russell Martin, Catcher

Toronto Blues Jays, Russell Martin, Alex Anthopoulus
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2. Russell Martin, Catcher

Toronto Blues Jays, Russell Martin, Alex Anthopoulus
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The Blue Jays signed Martin this offseason coming off one of the best seasons of his career. If Martin can repeat the numbers he put up in Pittsburgh last year, Toronto should be strong at the top of the lineup.

3. Jose Bautista, Right Field

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3. Jose Bautista, Right Field

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Bautista is a few years removed from his best season, but after 35 home runs last year, he's still one of the marquee power hitters in the AL. If he can give Toronto 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in 2015, Toronto will score runs on a consistent basis.

4. Edwin Encarcacion, First Base

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4. Edwin Encarnacion, First Base

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Edwin Encarnacion has had a slugging percentage well over .500 the past three seasons, and he'll have to keep up that trend with another 30-plus home runs if the Blue Jays are to be contenders.

5. Josh Donaldson, Third Base

Josh Donaldson
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5. Josh Donaldson, Third Base

Josh Donaldson
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After three years in Oakland, Donaldson is now in Toronto, where the Blue Jays are hoping he'll continue being one of the best third basemen in the game. He'll give the team a great deal of power and exceptional defense at the hot corner.

6. Justin Smoak, Designated Hitter

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6. Justin Smoak, Designated Hitter

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There are a couple of other players in the mix to be Toronto's DH on Opening Day, but with the power potential that Smoak has after averaging 18 HRs per year with Seattle from 2011 to 2013, Toronto will give him the first crack at establishing himself as the everyday DH.

7. Dalton Pompey, Center Field

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7. Dalton Pompey, Center Field

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Pompey moved quickly through the minor leagues last year and ended up appearing in 17 big league games late in the season. Now the Blue Jays are banking on him to be their everyday center fielder. He has a nice skillset and a chance to be a productive hitter for the Blue Jays at the bottom of their lineup, but whether he's ready for the majors remains to be seen.

8. Kevin Pillar, Left Field

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8. Kevin Pillar, Left Field

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Michael Saunders will be out until mid-April, and the Blue Jays don't have a lot of other options in the outfield, so they'll go with Pillar, who has spent parts of the last two seasons in the big leagues. In 53 games with Toronto last year, Pillar put up a line of .267/.295/.397, and the Blue Jays will have to live with him in left field and hope for the best until Saunders comes back.

9. Maicer Izturis, Second Base

Maicer Izturis
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9. Maicer Izturis, Second Base

Maicer Izturis
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The veteran Izturis is mostly a placeholder for the Blue Jays at second base as they currently don't have many other options at that position. Any kind of offensive production the Blue Jays get out of Izturis will be a bonus.

Bryan Zarpentine is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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