Close Article Return to stream X
MLB •

2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 Toronto Blue Jays Breakout Candidates

+Read full article
Kim Klement- USA TODAY Sports

2015 MLB Spring Training: 5 Toronto Blue Jays Breakout Candidates

Toronto Blue Jays
Kim Klement - USATODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays have a solid core in place for the 2015 season, but if they’re going to contend for an AL East title, they’re going to need contributions from some of their younger players. Toronto does have plenty of young players looking to establish themselves as big league regulars, and here are five Blue Jays who may be poised for breakout seasons.

5. Kevin Pillar

Toronto Blue Jays v Arizona Diamondbacks
Getty Images

5. Kevin Pillar

Toronto Blue Jays v Arizona Diamondbacks
Getty Images

With Michael Saunders recovering from injury, Pillar has a chance to play regularly early in the season, giving him an opportunity to establish himself. He's spent parts of the last two seasons in the big leagues, but he hasn't really stood out, so he could be running out of chances. But if he gets an honest chance, Pillar does have the ability to have a breakout season.

4. Ryan Goins

Ryan Goins
Getty Images

4 .Ryan Goins

Ryan Goins
Getty Images

The competition to be Toronto's second baseman this year is wide open and Goins needs to seize that opportunity. He's got a chance to beat out veteran Maicer Izturis for the job, but if he doesn't take the reigns soon, he'll have to fight off promising prospect Devon Travis. Goins has struggled to hit in the big leagues the last two years, but he's having a strong spring and could be ready to keep it going when the regular season starts.

3. Justin Smoak

Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners
Getty Images

3. Justin Smoak

Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners
Getty Images

Smoak has spent several seasons in the big leagues, but he's never hit above .238, so it's hard to say he's had a breakout season, and he's running out of chances. His raw power will get him a spot in Toronto's lineup, at least early in the year, and since he won't be a focus of opposing pitchers with all the other power hitters in the lineup, Smoak has a chance to truly breakout this season.

2. Dalton Pompey

Toronto Blue Jays Dalton Pompey
Getty Images

2. Dalton Pompey

Toronto Blue Jays Dalton Pompey
Getty Images

Pompey got a cup of coffee in the big leagues last September, and now the Blue Jays are expecting him to be their every day center fielder in 2015. He's still only 22, as he moved quickly through the minors, so time will only tell if he's ready for the majors or not. But Pompey has all the tools to be an impact player for the Blue Jays, and he may be ready to have a breakout season in 2015.

1. Aaron Sanchez

Toronto Blue Jays v New York Yankees
Getty Images

1. Aaron Sanchez

Toronto Blue Jays v New York Yankees
Getty Images

Sanchez has been one of Toronto's top pitching prospects for many years and 2015 figures to be his first full season in the big leagues. He was outstanding coming out of the bullpen for the Blue Jays late in the 2014 season, and even though it's still undecided whether he'll be a starter or reliever, there's every chance that Sanchez excels for Toronto in 2015 and becomes a key part of their pitching staff for years to come.

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