There’s been virtually nothing mentioned about him since that time, but ESPN’s Jeff Passan now reports that the 39-year-old Bautista has been working out as a pitcher this winter in hopes of a return as a two-way player. Baseball doesn’t work that way. One roster spot gives you a pen arm, and a PH. All rights reserved. Bautista had a 90 MPH heater from the mound when he came from the Pirates to the Jays. What makes him think he has any chance of pulling this off?! He hasn’t been around since 2015 with that walk off homerun and his infamous batflip. It would be a really cool story if he could somehow make it back as a 2-way player. So what’s next for Bautista? How about Kyle Farnsworth vs. Paul Wilson rematch? — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 2, 2020. If he has 94 and movement then you’re on to something and next finding out if can he maintain the stamina to ratchet it up consistently over 2 or 3 batters. No mystery as to where Stroman’s arrogance was cultivated. Short Guide of Jose Bautista Jos Antonio Bautista Santos, aka Jose Bautista, is a Dominican Expert baseball right fielder and third baseman from the Atlanta Braves organization That has played Major League Baseball (MLB) for Your Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, and Toronto Blue Jays. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. He remained with the Jays until 2017, with his six All-Star appearances coming in consecutive seasons from 2010-15. No Adrian Beltre around to keep wobbly Joey from falling down this time. First guy to take him yard should give him the dirtiest of bat flips, Please login to leave a reply. Atlanta Braves selected the contract of 3B Jose Bautista from Gwinnett Stripers. than here. The Jim Bouton quote, above, was never more applicable. Lost the zip on the heater. For the 39-year-old Bautista, the rule change could open the door for an MLB comeback. Became the first player in Blue Jays history to hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning and then produce a gameending hit in extra innings on May 22 vs. Bautista… Toronto Blue Jays placed RF Jose Bautista on the 15-day disabled list. I almost choked on my water when I saw this, lol. More like Odor rocks Joey Ears’ world again before he knows what hits him. Obviously, Bautista would face long odds in working his way back into the Majors — particularly as a viable pitcher. Was sidelined on August 21 with a left hip injury that would eventually end his season marking the second consecutive year to finish the season on the DL. A relief pitcher who can hit, someone in the NL will give him a shot on a low-risk deal, why not. That’s irrelevant. I’m guessing it has more to do with PEDs. The former Toronto Blue Jays slugger has been working out as a pitcher in hopes of returning as a two-way player, ESPN reported. If he can throw 94 now at age 39 you’d have to imagine he used to be able to pump fastballs in the high 90s — and early in his career before his late-blossoming as a hitter — you’d think he might have given it a shot back then. Teams focus – rightly so – on giving roster spots to players who can still compete at the MLB level, not long past their prime guys who can’t admit that it’s over for them. … His slider had legitimate tilt — threw a short one and a bigger bender. Only a bit more surprising, though, as he can still probably hit pretty well against the lesser competition in the Olympic games (Major League players will not be taking part). {* createAccountButton *}, You may have created a profile with another. Bautista’s bat flip has since altered the game of baseball in many ways. Really want to see him pitch in the American and have pitchers bat flipping on every single plate appearance against him. Likewise, players who are on 40-man rosters of big league teams but who are not on the major league roster are permitted to take part in the qualifiers. He’d go to Baltimore and suck, and then his contract would expire, and he would be picked up by the Blue Jays, then for a 6 year stretch he would be one of the best closers in the game getting the nickname “Joey Sliders”. He’s become a good hitter again, and B.) I doubt Bautista will actually make it to a big league roster, but given that rosters now allow for 26 players, and given that there are now special rules for two-way players, it’s not the most insane thing to contemplate.