Things worth mentioning…

• Beyond the excitement created from Bo, Vlad, and all of the other prospects on the Baby Jays team, the best moment of the day came from Braden Halladay. I don’t need to tell you who he is or what he went through this past year. But Halladay came out on the field for Team Canada, pitched on the same mound that his father once did, and mowed down the Jays for a one, two, three inning. The stadium gave him a standing ovation when he came into the game and an even bigger one after he retired Bichette for the third out. Many times, baseball is extremely good. Today was one of those times.

• In the first inning, after Cavan Biggio took a walk to lead off the game, Bo Bichette smashed a two-run bomb to left field. Despite being down 0-2, Bo just sat back and took a home run cut. Bad ass. Bo ended up going three-for-five with four RBIs. Good lord, his bat speed looked ridiculously good. Even though these hits came against a group of teenagers, Bichette’s approach was something to watch. He came on and did a mid-game interview with Buck Martinez and Dan Shulman and explained his approach at the plate is like golfing in that he starts with the driver and then uses the wedge when he’s in a bad situation. Like, say, being down 0-2, Bo shortened his swing and smacked the ball around the field.

• Vlady Jr. went one-for-three with a walk, but his best moment came on the field. He’s regarded mainly as a super prospect because of his bat, but Vlady Jr. has improved immensely at third base. Here he is looking like Josh Donaldson out there.

• What did Marcus Stroman think of the Large Adult Sons? After tossing two shutout innings in his first appearance of 2018, Stroman was extremely ready to praise Bo and Vlad. “I’m ready for Bo and Vlady to be on the big-league roster, to be honest,” Stroman said. “I don’t think those guys should wait. I want them on my team. I think they can help us win.” Oh, hell yes. Let’s do it.
• All told, the Baby Jays beat Team Canada 11-3. It was an interesting day for the second generation players beyond Bo and Vlad, as Cavan “Young Craig” Biggio had a good day at the plate going one-for-one with a walk, Kacy “Young Roger” Clemens went one-for-three with a walk, and Brandon “Young Mark” Grudzielanek went one-for-two with an RBI.
• Then there was also a game against the Orioles. Joe Biagini had a strong start, going three-and-one-third innings scattering one run on three hits and a walk while striking out five. After him, Tim Mayza, John Axford, and Rhiner Cruz slammed the door, but Al Albuquerque allowed a run in the ninth inning. Danny Espinosa, fresh off signing a minor league deal today, went four-for-four with with an RBI. That’s a really nice way to start things with your new team. Kevin Pillar also went three-for-three and now has a .500 batting average for the spring. 5-2 Blue Jays.