Blue Jay Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is in a better place after subtle changes that might stick

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This article was published 03/04/2022 (1328 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DUNEDIN, Fla.—In a clubhouse full of big names, it can be easy for even everyday players to fly under the radar. But Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo knows what it means to have Lourdes Gurriel Jr. performing at his best.

The proof is in the final two months of last season, the manager said Sunday.

“He was one of the reasons we made that run, because of how hot he was in September,” said Montoyo. “It means a lot. He stretches the lineup, big time.”

Gurriel’s season totals were below his career averages across the board, but some late adjustments at the plate turned his fortunes. The left-fielder put up a .308/.369/.568 slashline — for a .937 OPS — through August and September and hit 10 of his 21 home runs, along with more than half of his 84 RBIs. With 30 RBIs in September alone, Gurriel tied Kelly Gruber’s franchise record for the month.

His breakout came at a time when a lot of his teammates had gone cold, and in a season when the batting order was extremely top heavy with George Springer, Marcus Semien, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Teoscar Hernández. More production from lower in the order was critical.

A late injury to Gurriel would deliver a significant blow to their post-season hopes. He sat out from Sept. 23 to 26, after then teammate Randal Grichuk stepped on his right hand during a fielding play against the Minnesota Twins, and went 0-for-16 when he returned. The Jays lost six of their last 10 games, including two to the lowly Twins, and missed the playoffs on the final day of the regular season.

Gurriel credits his turnaround in part to his father, legendary Cuban player Lourdes Gurriel Sr., and older brother Yuli Gurriel of the Houston Astros. After every game, they talk on the phone about ways to improve, and the brothers have been open to in-season adjustments.

The 28-year-old Jay made a couple of changes last year — including his toe-tap at the plate, which he felt he was rushing.

“It looks like simple things, but those simple things can hurt you,” Gurriel said through Jays translator Hector Lebron before Sunday’s spring home game against the New York Yankees.

After those adjustments produced results, Gurriel went into the off-season looking to refine them under the watchful eye of his 37-year-old brother. When the MLB lockout ended last month, the Gurriels hit the ground running.

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“He’s not chasing, he’s getting good counts,” Montoyo said. “When you’re talking about Gurriel, that’s when he’s really good.”

The Jays left-fielder — a Gold Glove finalist the past two seasons who might spend a few more games in the designated hitter spot this season, with the arrival of Raimel Tapia from the Colorado Rockies — is hitting .478 with six RBIs this spring. He hit fifth Sunday and went 2-for-3 in a 7-5 victory over the Yankees.

“I feel very good right now,” Gurriel said. “I can say this is one of the best spring trainings that I’ve had. I feel very comfortable where I’m at right now.”

The trick is to keep that going for 162 games. Between a short stint on the injured list last April (related to COVID-19 vaccine side effects) and the September hand injury, Gurriel had his longest healthy stretch in years. A healthier, less streaky Gurriel could be a game-changer for the Jays this season.

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy