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Blue Jays’ Wagner clears hurdle, makes strides at third base
TORONTO — Will Wagner‘s brilliant defensive play in the second inning of Friday night’s game at Rogers Centre was more than just a highlight-reel snippet. It represented a demarcation point for Wagner’s progress at his new position.
“That looked the part of a third baseman,” said Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider on Saturday morning.
One night earlier, Wagner, playing in his first MLB game at third base, slid to his right to nab a 104.9 m.p.h. rocket off the bat of Baltimore Orioles slugger Tyler O’Neill. He quickly got up, set his feet and fired a strong throw to first to record the out.
Several components went into the play, and Wagner worked diligently during winter and in spring training to be able to execute it.
Firstly, Wagner had to react quickly to the hot shot, recognizing that he’d need to shift to his right and get his body down to the dirt to pick it up. He required an understanding of his footwork to put himself in a strong position to deliver the ball to first. Finally, Wagner needed enough arm strength to beat O’Neill to the bag.
“Definitely getting there,” Wagner said on Friday night.
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The 26-year-old played second base for the Blue Jays after he was acquired in the July trade that sent Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros. However, due to the acquisition of second baseman Andres Gimenez, Wagner knew that the club intended to deploy him at third in 2025, so he focused on improving his arm strength during the off-season while also rehabbing his left knee after undergoing a minor arthroscopic procedure in September.
“My strength coach actually threw with me every day,” said Wagner, adding that he incorporated plenty of long toss and plyo ball work into his routine. “My arm wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t where I wanted it to be.”
Once spring training began, Wagner was able to work closely with Blue Jays infield instructor Carlos Febles on the other elements of third base, such as reads and footwork.
Febles says he felt early in camp that Wagner was capable of playing a strong third base, and what he’s seen since has only bolstered that perception.
“I’ve been impressed with the way he’s been working and his preparation,” Febles said. “Everything he does [in practice] is game speed. He does it with a purpose.”
Wagner’s biggest challenge has been learning the hops at third and adjusting his pre-pitch setup. He could take a more upright stance while playing second, but at the hot corner, Wagner needs to get lower so he can be quicker with his reactionary first steps.
“He’s learning to be aggressive with his feet,” said Febles, who’s also the Blue Jays’ third base coach. “You got to be aggressive so you get more carry on your throws, whereas at second base you can take your time.”
Wagner logged 628.2 innings at third base over four minor-league seasons, but the seven innings he played during Friday’s game marked his entry to the position at the big-league level. The left-handed hitter was replaced in that game by pinch-hitter Ernie Clement, who drove in two runs with a double off Orioles lefty Cionel Perez in the bottom of the seventh.
Both Wagner and the defensively gifted Clement will see time at third in what looks like a solid platoon for the Blue Jays. Wagner’s strongest tool has always been his bat, so he’ll also get into the lineup as the designated hitter as he did during Thursday’s season opener and again in Saturday’s game.
In that area, Wagner is much more polished. He produced a .788 OPS over 24 games with the Blue Jays last year and has four hits — including one double — in nine at-bats across the three games this week.
The belief within the organization was always that if he continued to hit, Wagner would somehow find his way into more playing time. However, if he can add strong defence to his game, the path becomes much easier.
“I think he can be real good,” says Febles. “It’s not going to come overnight, but I think if he works the same way he’s been working and stays healthy, there’s no doubt in my mind he can be an above-average third baseman.”
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