'Been through the grind': Merrifield brings veteran presence

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Blue Jays veteran Whit Merrifield’s biggest concern this spring might be keeping his cheeks from getting burnt in the Florida sun.

There will be a lot less pressure on him to drive the offense this season, especially with all the offensive weapons the Blue Jays already have. It’s definitely a change of pace after being the face of the Kansas City Royals franchise and a fixture at the top of their lineup for the last half decade.

“It’s like playing on an All-Star team,” Merrifield said of his teammates. “There’s potential damage all the way through the lineup.”

At 34, Merrifield has accepted the less visible role in the lineup and embraced being the wise veteran player that can mentor the younger players while still contributing wherever he can.

“It was something I was doing in Kansas City as well. Even early on in my career, like two or three years in, I was the ‘old guy’ because the veterans had moved on, so it was me and a bunch of rookies,” Merrifield said. “It’s not something you force. It just kind of happens when guys see you as someone that will take time to talk to them. I’m an open book, and I like talking to everybody."

Blue Jays manager John Schneider has taken notice of how he has been a resource for younger players like Bo Bichette.

“Whit’s awesome in the clubhouse, a veteran leadership presence,” Schneider said. “He’s a guy that has been through the grind and understands that he is gonna be a little different this year.”

Merrifield was acquired by the Blue Jays in August of last year from Kansas City, where he was a two-time All-Star over seven seasons. After scuffling through much of the 2022 season, the veteran found his groove once he arrived in Toronto in August, batting .281 over the final 44 games, including a .400 average in his final 18 games.

“He’s ready to roll,” Schneider said. “He’s a gamer that brings such a unique piece to our lineup with his speed and contact ability and his defensive versatility.”

The Blue Jays plan on using that versatility all over the field in a super utility role. Merrifield should see significant time at second base and center field -- where he has seen the bulk of his playing time during his career -- but can also play all three outfield positions and has filled in at first base before.

“I’ve never been told in my whole career where I was going to be playing and I don’t think it will change here and I’m okay with that,” Merrifield said. “I’m ready to play wherever.”

“He knew coming in after the Deadline that it was going to be a different role for him, a different spot in the order, but I think once you’ve lived it and you’re around for a little bit it is easier to say, ‘Okay, this is where I fit in,’ and that’s where he is at right now,” Schneider said.

“Players like that always find their way into a lot of games. He’s gonna be a big part of what we are doing here."

Merrifield got the start at second base on Tuesday, where he made several nifty defensive plays in the Blue Jays’ 7-2 loss against the Pirates. It was his first game back after missing the previous week with tightness in his right quadriceps. The quad didn’t appear to affect him as he also had his first stolen base of the season after legging out an infield single in the third. He finished the day 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Merrifield intends to incorporate more of the speed element back into his game now that he has gotten to know his teammates a little bit better. The two-time AL stolen base leader had just one stolen base after coming over to Toronto.

“There’s a couple reasons,” he said of the lack of stolen base attempts. “It’s still a big part of my game but with all the guys we have in the lineup, we didn’t need that to score.”

Timing trips up Tiedemann
After a spectacular beginning to his spring, left-handed pitcher Ricky Tiedemann hit a speed bump in his second outing. The team’s No. 1 prospect allowed two runs on three hits, including a home run by Carlos Santana. He walked one and struck out two. He also managed to get his first pickoff as a professional. Tiedemann said that the pitch timer didn’t affect the timing and he was able to slow his pace after going back out for a second inning.

“I felt I was rushing a little bit too much in the beginning,” Tiedemann said. “I got settled in the zone and was glad to get it back under control.”