Toronto Blue Jays 2023 Season Preview
Any MLB preview worth its salt is going to start a Toronto Blue Jays evaluation with the changes made to Rogers Centre. The outfield walls have been raised, but they have also been brought in rather significantly. The wall in left field has been moved in seven feet (368) and the wall in left center has been moved in two feet (381). The wall in right center has been moved in 11 feet (372) and the wall in right center has been moved in 16 feet (359).
It should come as no surprise that Toronto’s three position player acquisitions were all left-handed batters in Dalton Varsho, Brandon Belt and Kevin Kiermaier. This was already a team rich with right-handed power, but the new dimensions, particularly in right field, called for an infusion of left-handed pop. It doesn’t hurt that the Blue Jays were also fourth in opposite field slugging percentage among right-handed batters.
It will hurt the pitchers, too, but the Blue Jays seem to be taking a page from the Orioles’ playbook, just from a different chapter. Baltimore made left field at Camden Yards way more pitcher-friendly in hopes of leveling the playing field for their offense. Toronto is just leaning into their offense as much as possible and these changes may make the ballpark the best hitter’s park in baseball not named Coors Field. And more home runs were hit at Rogers Centre last year than Coors Field.
Now, the question is whether or not these changes, among others, are enough to help the Blue Jays reach or even exceed their lofty expectations.