Gurriel's grab shows off newfound OF skills

TORONTO -- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been nothing short of impressive since returning to the Blue Jays' lineup after a midseason stint in the Minor Leagues.

The 25-year-old left Toronto a second baseman having trouble at the plate and with his throwing accuracy, and Gurriel came back a highlight-reel defender swinging with nothing to lose and everything to gain.

“He went down there and worked hard,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. “He worked with [Triple-A Buffalo position coach] Devon White on his outfield play, and he didn’t take it for granted. He said, ‘I’ll be back,’ and he was really working hard.

“That’s what [Bisons manager] Bobby Meacham and Devon White said, that he was really working hard on his outfield play and his infield play, but he’s been so good in the outfield that I don’t even want to move him back to the infield for now. He’s been really good.”

Saturday’s 6-0 loss to the D-backs was no exception. In the seventh inning, Gurriel hit his first career triple -- his ninth extra-base hit in 14 games since being recalled from Triple-A -- and in the eighth, the Cuban outfielder put his newfound fielding prowess to the test, making the play of the game with a sliding catch, robbing Nick Ahmed of extra bases.

“I ran as hard as I could to get to the ball, and at the same time just trying to catch that ball to avoid letting the run score,” Gurriel said, through team interpreter Hector Lebron. “I’ve been working very hard at the position. I’m adapting to the position, and I’m feeling very good right now.”

Added Montoyo: “That play he made, that’s an above-average play. He went a long way. That was an outstanding play. And he’s swinging it good at the plate also. He’s having good at-bats.”

Since being recalled, Gurriel has taken a lot more pride in his play in the outfield than anything he’s done at the plate -- though he’s gone 16-for-51 with four home runs, four doubles and one triple over that span -- spending every day working with first-base coach Mark Budzinski on his first-step quickness, his routes and what he feels is his biggest challenge, reading balls off the bat.

“Obviously there’s stuff we can do from a fungo standpoint, hitting balls on the ground, hitting balls in the air, getting used to going back on a ball or getting used to going side to side and coming in on balls, but he’s gone above and beyond,” Budzinski said.

“The best teacher for me is reading the ball off the bat in batting practice, playing shallow, going back on the ball, and learning to get that first-step quickness. He does a really good job on a daily basis of getting out there and getting his reps in.”

Toronto had a similar experience with Gurriel last year, seeing a resurgence in his ability after a stint in the Minor Leagues, and the left fielder believes his time in Triple-A allowed him a chance to work on the things that weren’t going well in the Majors.

“When I get sent down, I’m [there] just basically to work on things that obviously weren’t working up here,” Gurriel said. “Last year, this year, it happened the same way. So now I’m back up here, and everything is going well.”

In addition to the hard work Gurriel has been putting in to get better at his new position, Budzinski believes he has been able to pick it up quickly because of his natural athleticism, which was on display in Saturday’s game.

“He went a long way for that ball tonight,” Budzinski said. “He went 118 feet, so that’s more athleticism than anything, and having the confidence to go get the ball, put your head down and run as hard as you can and make the play. That was impressive.”

Since his return, Gurriel has been everything the team could have hoped for, and more.

“I’m extremely impressed,” Budzinski said. “I couldn’t be more pleased, with how much he cares about it, how much he wants to get better every day, the work he puts into it, and it’s showing out there on the field. He’s making plays that I would never consider him even thinking of making even two weeks ago. I’m really proud of him and the effort he’s put in to preparing himself to go out there and do what he’s doing.”