Retired middle fielder Kevin Kiermaier has joined the Blue Jays entrance workplace as a particular assistant, as famous by Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Kiermaier wrapped up his MLB profession with the Dodgers this 12 months after being traded by Toronto on the commerce deadline, however he performed for the Blue Jays in every of the previous two seasons after spending the majority of his profession with the Rays. Kiermaier’s position hasn’t been strictly outlined, however he informed Matheson that he pitched himself to the Jays as an “outfield whisperer.”
“Please, simply belief me. Let me be part of this. Let me bounce round,” Kiermaier informed the membership, as relayed by Matheson. “Let me provide my providers right here, from high to backside within the group. Let me present you what I can do. Let me be the outfield whisperer to those guys.”
It’s arduous to argue with Kiermaier’s resume, which ought to make him very well-suited to a task teaching outfielders on protection all all through the group. The 34-year-old wasn’t drafted by the Rays till the thirty first spherical of the 2010 draft, however labored his method by means of the group on the again of his defensive prowess and went on to have a powerful profession within the majors that noticed him earn 4 Gold Glove awards in middle area and play in 12 MLB seasons. Whereas he was an honest hitter who supplied roughly league common offensive worth, protection was Kiermaier’s calling card as he amassed 26.7 fWAR and 36.5 bWAR all through his profession.
Whereas he finally wound up with the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Instances experiences that Kiermaier talked about serving as an outfield teacher for the Rays and one different group earlier than reaching an settlement with Toronto on his new particular assistant position. He expressed his pleasure about his new position to Topkin, however made clear he has completely no plans to aim to make a comeback as a participant in any capability.
“I’ve achieved mild stuff on the health club, and my physique nonetheless simply doesn’t really feel nice,” Kiermaier mentioned, as relayed by Topkin. “I’m like, there may be simply no method I might ever get by means of a season once more. And I don’t need to. I went out the way in which I wished to, and now I’m focusing my sights elsewhere. So. I’m a cheerful man.”
Daulton Varsho is anticipated to be the membership’s main middle fielder, and he’s grown into one of many high defensive outfielders within the recreation. With that being mentioned, it’s definitely doable Kiermaier might assist the membership’s different outfielders attain a brand new degree with the glove in a training position. Incoming slugger Anthony Santander and children like Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider and Joey Loperfido might all profit from Kiermaier’s tutelage to say nothing of prospects additional down the organizational ladder. A Florida native, Kiermaier is anticipated to be in Dunedin with the membership throughout spring coaching earlier than touring across the membership’s associates at numerous factors all through the season.
