We know that the work stoppage affects Major League players, but I have the feeling that veterans are less at risk than young people. They earn more money and they can adapt more since they know poutine.
But young people like Otto Lopez or Kevin Smith, to name a few at the Blue Jays, are affected differently. They are not used to the Majors, but their presence on the roster of 40 Jays players (therefore on sick leave) forces them to find solutions to train with the means at hand.
While 170 prospects are in Dunedin, a guy like Smith is at home in Nashville keeping fit.
He is not badly taken, but that changes his habits. He cannot be around other players or familiarize himself with club facilities.
It’s an important year for #BlueJays prospect Kevin Smith, and it’s starting in an uncertain way.
Column: https://t.co/vwgmr6KMst— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) February 26, 2022
Based on his 36 batting appearances in Toronto, Smith is training for the next season.
And since he can’t talk to the team, he can’t know what they will do with him in view of 2022. So he has to prepare for everything.
Right now, due to the lack of depth in Toronto, if the season were to start now, he would probably be in the Majors. That said, the club will undoubtedly add pieces to the puzzle, relegating it to the bottom.
But he could be recalled along the way to play a bench role. He must prepare for this too… but without the advice of the club members.
In short, he must be ready for anything.
I have a feeling he’ll start at the bottom (unless he’s got a big side) and be one of the first infielders to be called up by Ross Atkins. And to prepare for it, he is in Nashville, a bit in the unknown.
