The Blue Jays need to inject more power into their lineup and one of their top prospects might be able to provide it.
uncertain
one → need → it
The problem is there’s nowhere to put him.
asserted
problem → ’ → him
Sean Keys came up through their minor-league system as a third baseman before transitioning to first base.
asserted
Keys → come → base
Both positions are blocked for at least the next three years.
asserted
positions → block → years
He could begin next season as the designated hitter following the expected departure of free-agent George Springer.
uncertain
He → begin → Springer
However, general manager Ross Atkins is already on record stating he would prefer to rotate players through that spot.
asserted
he → state → spot
What that means for the 23-year-old Keys’ future remains unclear.
uncertain
means → mean → future
He could be used as a part-time corner infielder and DH, or as trade bait to fill another area of need.
uncertain
He → use → need
“You definitely have to be patient, but I understood that in the first place,” says Keys, who is blocked at first base by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and at third by Kazuma Okamoto.
asserted
who → have → Okamoto
“I didn’t think there was a chance I would be called up because of those guys and what they have done.
asserted
they → think → what
I know it’s going to come.
asserted
it → know → ?
I’m young, and these guys have been doing it for a while.
asserted
guys → ’m → while
I try to learn as much from them as possible.”
The Jays are at least intrigued by the idea of more playing time for him because there aren’t a lot of players in the organization with a similar skill set.
Keys, drafted in the fourth round in 2024, slugged 14 homers in just 49 games for Double-A New Hampshire this year, and 14 more in 51 games following a promotion to Triple-A Buffalo.
asserted
Keys → try → Buffalo
In his third big-league game, Keys hit a three-run homer off Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta.
asserted
Keys → hit → Peralta
Outside of those home runs, though, he had limited success.
asserted
he → have → success
He finished the year batting .197 with a .570 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, well below league average, in just 61 at-bats.
asserted
He → finish → bats
Those numbers don’t reflect what he’s capable of at the plate.
asserted
he → reflect → plate
Keys started on back-to-back days just twice over nearly a third of the season in the majors.
asserted
Keys → start → majors
“For players like him, it’s nice to get up here for the first time and see major-league pitching,” said Jays manager John Schneider, whose team ranked last in the majors with 152 homers.
asserted
team → ’ → homers
“The message to him is to keep figuring out who he is as a hitter.
asserted
he → keep → hitter
He obviously has a very good year in the minors, and now it’s time to translate that into the big leagues.
asserted
it → have → leagues
”
Where Keys is supposed to improve defensively isn’t clear.
asserted
supposed → suppose → ?
He will continue to take reps at first base and would remain a backup option at third, but there’s still a need for more versatility since there isn’t enough playing time available at either spot.
asserted
He → continue → spot
That’s why the Jays asked Keys to start working out in left field.
asserted
Jays → ’ → field
During the final month of the regular season, he was frequently in the outfield before games doing drills with first-base coach Mark Budzinski.
asserted
he → do → Budzinski
A transition like that doesn’t happen overnight.
asserted
transition → happen → that
Despite all the work, Keys only played two big-league innings in left field.
asserted
Keys → play → field
It’s possible that after a full off-season and spring training he will be more equipped to handle the defensive responsibilities.
asserted
he → ’ → responsibilities
“I have been working really hard on the defensive side of the game, both with our infield and outfield coaches,” said Keys, who hit .294 with a 1.019 OPS in the minors this year.
asserted
who → work → minors
“I’m just trying to remember the basics: run hard and get behind the baseball.
asserted
I → try → baseball
If you’re hustling, you’re at least making aggressive mistakes.
asserted
you → hustle → mistakes
I just need to get as many reps as I can, and spring training would help with that.
asserted
training → need → that
Keys still needs to get to camp to clear that developmental hump.
asserted
Keys → need → hump
The Jays value his power, but will have to at least entertain the idea of moving him to another team considering they are already set at the corner infield spots, and have a limited number of big-league-ready prospects available for trade.
asserted
they → value → trade
The Jays can wait and see who they can add via free agency, and which players are available through trade, before making final decisions about his future.
asserted
players → wait → future
In the meantime, Keys will try to find as many ways as possible to break into the Jays lineup, and left field might be the only spot where his much-needed power bat isn’t relegated to the bench.
uncertain
bat → try → bench
By this time next year, the Jays will likely have either found him a new position or a new uniform.
asserted
Jays → find → position
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