The sites 115,000 sq. Why have the Los Angeles Dodgers been one of MLBs most perennially successful clubs for over a decade? Evaluating small sample sizes for hitters can often be difficult, especially when theyre facing pitchers just looking to get their reps in and vice-versa. Jan 26, 2023 80 Spring training opens in a little under three weeks. The road to AEW [], Its Thursday and you know what that means ratings for AEW Dynamite are out. You dont have to worry about putting your team in a bad spot because you got knocked around while you were trying to work on a certain pitch, Zeuch said. We Want to Hear From You! We use cookies to improve your experience. It will almost certainly be challenging to decipher between the good and the bad, though. Thats not how a professional sports team ought to be operating in 2021. There are eight locker rooms in total with the 3,750 square foot major-league clubhouse being the featured attraction. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. The complex features six fields, five of which are brand new, plus two half fields. Clubs want more control, more collaboration and more fluid opportunities for young players to access and utilize modern resources. February 24, 2021 | 00:03:56. You just have everything here. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. Use another A key learning from other organizations that we spoke with was that they had already outgrown their facilities by the time they opened, he says. An inside look at the Blue Jays new player development complex in Dunedin Its meant to lead to wins, Mark Shapiro said of the $80 million renovation, which Luckily for Toronto, manager John Schneider likely wont be forced to make many tough roster decisions out of the gate. The US$33.6-million deal covered his remaining arbitration years and prevented a hearing. But we also made sure that we stayed true to baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays while staying flexible to what the future holds for what the next generation looks like as wellIt used to be just show and go. Everything is bigger, better, modernized, more functional. "It's been hectic and busy but (I'm) exactly where I want to be," said manager John Schneider. WebLocated in Dunedin, FL, and opened in 2021, the spring training home of the Blue Jays features office space to house all of their employees. Toronto Blue Jays1 Blue Jays Way, Suite 3200Toronto, ON M5V 1J1, Blue Jays Ticket Sales & Services: 416-341-1234 or 888-654-6529, TD Executive Suite Sales & Service: 416-341-1234. Guerrero and reliever Yimi Garcia will represent the Dominican Republic, right-hander Jose Berrios will play for Puerto Rico and catcher Alejandro Kirk will suit up for Mexico. Instead, lets explore the few roster battles expected to occur this spring, starting with the clubs fifth starters role. And an optionable one like Trent Thornton, who has one minor-league option remaining. Cardio equipment is located on the upper level. Arash Madani and Shi Davidi discuss the Blue Jays' new development complex. Show up and get ready for spring training, get in shape and go. Just to see them in it and actually walk into it every day has been a pretty incredible moment for me., Isnt it beautiful? Feelings of optimism, joy and excitement were ever-present Monday at the Toronto Blue Jays' player development complex as a couple dozen players kicked off spring training ahead of the 2023 season. The three Minor League locker rooms each have their own metal or wood lockers and there are separate equipment and laundry rooms for the Major League and Minor League locker rooms. Select additional sports and leagues youre interested in from the list below. "We have a pretty set team I think," Schneider said. Following a productive off-season, much of the Toronto Blue Jays 26-man roster has been already set as team workouts begin at the franchises Player The remaining seven cages for minor-leaguers are on the south side of the complex. And that's something that everybody in our player development group is committed to.. This facility is off the chart, it really is, pitching coach Pete Walker said Sunday. Developmentally, theres nothing worse. So that [minor-leaguers] see you going about your business the right way. Enter your email below and we'll send you another email. The combination of space and the resources within hopefully put it in a class of its own. I really believe that well have the single best training centre the day our facilitys done, Shapiro said at the time. The weight room spills outdoors onto a covered turf area. From the start, Shapiro says they knew building just for now wasnt an option. I felt that it was an opportunity and a huge driver to bring all of our players under one roof, to shift from a spring-only facility to really move and skip a generation. Running payrolls in excess of $200-million USD certainly helps. But the players it will influence most greatly arent the games current stars its the future ones. Use another But so far, their demands have been left unanswered. By investing heavily in data-driven player development at a time when their competitors had yet to clue in, igniting the developmental arms race thats played out industry-wide since. But since theyre both right-handed, theyd have to compete against Merrifield for playing time and showcase themselves in limited opportunities when he requires a day off. (approx 1 - 2 per week). The complex now has six full fields, including one with artificial turf and measurements identical to the Rogers Centre, meant to mimic the environment players will encounter in Toronto. Named as the Toronto Blue Jays Please contact us. Here are two ways to find out everything you need to know about Rogers Centre! Keegan Matheson. Sitting ~95 with the heater. That's great for the 75 players in Blue Jays big-league camp currently breaking the place in, but this is hardly just about them. Its important to state here that a condensed minor-league system means fewer jobs and less opportunity for individuals to make a living in the game. And, more than anything, we think this building will not just be a foundational block, but a driver in our effort to win world championships. The weight room alone is over 22,000 square feet with four garage doors that open to another roughly 9,000 square feet of partially covered outdoor turf and a second-floor cardio loft. Adam Kloffenstein, a 20-year-old right-hander the Blue Jays selected in the third round of the 2018 draft, was among them, spending two weeks at the complex in November diving into the data on his two-seam fastball in the pitching lab, throwing on the covered turf infield and grinding out workouts in the sprawling weight room. The two-story weight room in the new Toronto Blue Jays Player Development Complex includes 40,000 [+] pounds of weights. The building is a reflection of the teams values in so many ways, according to president and CEO Mark Shapiro. The Blue Jays avoided arbitration with Bichette last week when the two sides agreed to terms on a three-year contract. But sinkerball specialist T.J. Zeuch is perhaps a better demonstration of whats possible. We have gone to every length to give them all the tools they could possibly need or want, he says, laid out meticulously based on elite performance routines. Thanks to his quality reverse splits from last season, hitting .333/.417/.465 in 114 at-bats against lefties, hed be an option regardless of a pitchers handedness, making him an early favourite. A state-of-the-art facility unlike any other. It blew me away the first time I came in here. It is a symbol of the commitment from the ownership to the state of Florida, the city of Dunedin, and the county here, Shapiro said. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. All Forgot your But in his role as Torontos minor-league strength and conditioning coordinator, Steve Rassels job is to be creative. Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! Rather, organizations believe they can do a much more effective and, cynically, cost-efficient job of producing future Pillars with a more streamlined, centralized developmental operation, like what the Blue Jays envision running at their new complex. Theres no positive to be found in that unless youre an accountant for an MLB team. The focus for now turns to preparation and the steady buildup to the Feb. 25 Grapefruit League opener against Pittsburgh and eventually the March 30 regular-season opener in St. Louis. So having our minor leagues and player development in the same place and under the same roof, there are certainly still some stratifications involved. There are five new bullpens and 20 total gang mounds on which pitchers can work their stuff. Its taking space, bricks and mortar and saying it is possible for a building to help drive championship culture. As currently constructed, Toronto is set to feature an open competition for the final bench spot on its roster, which is likely to include outfielders Nathan Lukes and Wynton Bernard (non-roster invite) and utility player Otto Lopez, who logged 322.2 innings in the outfield in addition to splitting time at second base and shortstop last season. Its meant to lead to wins.. A spacious hydrotherapy room will also help players recover. In 2020, every club established an alternate training site where players on the edge of the major-league roster focused on development and finding ways to improve outside of in-game competition. Youve got everything you could possibly have; its a place you want to be. 2000-2020 Rogers Media. "To avoid it is good but also just to be on the same page with the team is nice too.". Now, nobodys in your way. Its something that Im cognizant of when we talk to players and agents, Shapiro said. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Blue Jays on Thursday unveiled a new, state-of-the-art Player Development Complex, which they are touting as one of the best in baseball. Inside, there is more than 40,000 pounds of weighted accessories and barbells and 20 fully customized pieces of equipment created exclusively for the Blue Jays. The outdoor space for the Toronto Blue Jays is part of a 65-acre site. Rather than sending a recent amateur draftee to tiny Bluefield, where the rookie-ball Blue Jays were operating out of a charming yet antiquated facility, the club will transition those players to the professional ranks in Dunedin. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? {* backButton *} The Player Development Complex features six full fields, two half fields, 20 gang mounds, 12 covered batting cages, a 155x150 ft. covered turf practice field, and a 6.79-degree, 168 ft. long speed hill. Keegan Matheson. Unlike 2022, the upper tier of Torontos pipeline is loaded with high-upside arms, including Zulueta if he isnt stretched out as a starter Nate Pearson, Zach Pop, Hagen Danner and Hayden Juenger. Just being able to go out and throw in these simulated games and work on one or two specific things is really a valuable time.. As a left-hander, Lukes who slashed .285/.364/.425 with a 111 wRC+ across 111 games at triple-A Buffalo in 2022 would likely share fourth outfield duties with Biggio versus right-handed pitching. {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. Presenting our new Player Development Complex! Key features include: Equipped with more than 40,000 lbs of weighted accessories and barbells. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. I felt it was one of the biggest opportunities for the organization to move a step closer to become a sustainable championship organization, Shapiro added. Atkins has said he's open to exploring the possibility of long-term deals with the team's young stars. 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To order Bichette's contract, which includes a $3.25-million signing bonus, has a base salary of $2.85 million this year, $11 million in 2024 and $16.5 million in 2025. rights reserved. Rather than grinding out eight-hour bus rides between distant minor-league towns, subsisting on dollar value menu items, and trying to make substantial athletic improvements without access to modern player tracking technology or adequate recovery facilities, the organizations youngest prospects could feasibly spend the first couple years of their professional lives based out of the player development complex, with access to every resource they need to fulfill their potential. The 3,750-square-foot Major League clubhouse has 72 custom, 8-foot-tall lockers. So while the competition involving the fifth starters role appears bleak this spring, that situation should improve drastically as the 2023 season progresses. I think this building answers that.. 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