A Toronto Blue Jays player who is likely to be sent down with Daulton Varsho returning to the lineup is Will Wagner. Wagner had a productive start to his season while also performing well defensively at third base. But in his last seven games, he has been hitting .143. His decline in his offense was apparent during the Blue Jays losing streak.
Wagner is 26 years old and made his debut with the Blue Jays last season. Wagner was impressive collecting three hits. But with Varsho returning to the lineup, it means that someone has to be sent down. Wagner was drafted by the Houston Astros in 2021 and has a lot of potential. But despite the Blue Jays having high expectations for Wagner, he may benefit from spending time in the minors.
Blue Jays Will Wagner Could Be Sent Down
Wagner’s Reality of 2025
Sending Wagner down would provide him with the opportunity to develop his defense while also working to re-spark his offense. Wagner’s father, Billy Wagner was inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. If Will wants to follow in the footsteps of his dad then he knows that there will be hurdles to battle along the way. When examining Blue Jays players who would be in competition for a roster spot, keeping Myles Straw up in the big leagues makes the most sense. This is on account of his Gold Glove defense and speed. As well, he’s been proving to the Blue Jays how there’s more to his offense than meets the eye. In addition, Addison Barger has demonstrated his weapon of an arm making three outfield assists against the Seattle Mariners on April 18.
Wagner’s Struggles
In addition to Wagner’s recent struggles at the plate, another reason why he could be sent down is the lack of a clear role for him on the MLB roster. Along with his poor .143 batting average, pitchers have also adjusted their approach against him. This has led to him being less effective. Sending him down would allow him to regain his confidence while also working on his game. This would also help prepare him for the future with the Blue Jays. If Wagner does get sent down, it would be exciting to watch how he would perform after spending time in the minors.
In addition, there are players in AAA who have been performing well such as Jonatan Clase. He is deserving of a call-up as he’s been hitting .364 with 12 stolen bases. We’ve already witnessed how speed has benefited the Blue Jays in big ways this season, so having another speedster on the bases and in the outfield would be a luxury. If the Blue Jays want a shot at making the postseason they need to play their hot hands. With Varsho returning this will hopefully add more substance to the offense.
Main Photo Credits: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
The post Likelihood of Blue Jays Utility Player Remaining on Roster Appears Slim appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.