March 21, 2021

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

With just under two weeks left until Opening Day in the Bronx, Marcus Semien remains focused on two things; refining his timing at the plate and acclimating himself to Toronto's clubhouse.

Through his first 13 games, the veteran of eight major league seasons is batting .212 with a pair of home runs and an OPS of .758 in 40 plate appearances.

Although he's off to a relatively slow start at the dish, Semien is happy with the way his first spring training with Toronto is progressing.

"Historically, I've been a slow starter. It kind of feels that way this time. But the more at-bats and the more work you do, you just start to find a rhythm and something that works," he said following the Blue Jays' 8-3 loss to the New York Yankees on Sunday.

"For me, I don't think you need to be a finished product by Opening Day. You're still kind of working through some things and grinding. By the time you get to April / May, you're locked and loaded. So far, I'm happy to be here. The staff has been treating me really well."

Along with learning a new clubhouse dynamic, Semien, who's appeared in all of his 769 games dating back to the 2015 season at shortstop, is also transitioning to playing second base on a more full-time basis.

In an effort to establish chemistry, management has paired him with Bo Bichette this spring. The two have practically been joined at the hip since position players reported on February 21, hitting, lifting, and fielding in the same groups.

"I think we have two shortstops up the middle," explained Semien. "There's a lot I can bounce off (Bichette), and there's a lot he can bounce off me. On the days that we're not playing, we both get a lot of work in at short. And the days that we are playing, we work up the middle. It's a good combination."

Not to be understated, Semien was also brought in to join George Springer as a steadying veteran presence on a team loaded with young talent. It's a position he's held in the past and one that he looks forward to navigating in Toronto.

“Both of us have a little bit more experience being veteran guys in this clubhouse," he said. "We're learning the guys and how they work. I'm so impressed with them, and I think (Springer) is as well. We're looking forward to being leaders in this clubhouse."

SHORT HOPS

-Randal Grichuck picked up his third multi-hit contest of the spring on Sunday. Now batting .308 (8-for-26), his single off Gerrit Cole in the second inning was clocked at 109.7 mph off the bat, which was good for the hardest-hit ball in the game.

-Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Montreal, Que.) walked in his first trip to the plate. The free pass represented the eighth straight time he had reached base dating back to last Sunday's game against New York.

-Despite allowing eight runs on the afternoon, Toronto's pitching staff still holds the lowest collective WHIP (1.06) and OBA (.190) in Major League Baseball this spring. They've also allowed the fewest home runs (12) in the American League.

- Follow Andrew Hendriks on Twitter (@77hendriks)