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Getting to know Jonatan Clase, the latest Blue Jays call-up from Triple-A Buffalo
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Photo credit: © Isaiah J. Downing - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Sep 19, 2024, 14:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 19, 2024, 14:17 EDT
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Another player the Toronto Blue Jays acquired before the 2024 trade deadline is joining the big league team.
On Thursday, the Blue Jays called up outfielder Jonatan Clase, as Bo Bichette once again was placed on the 10-day Injured List, this time because of a broken middle finger on his right hand.
Obviously, this sucks for Bichette as he was recently activated from the 15-day Injured List, missing over two months of action due to a calf injury. What an awfully unlucky season it has been for the Jays’ star shortstop. However, this will also give Clase an opportunity.
Clase signed during the 2018 international free agency for a bonus of $350,000 by the Seattle Mariners. After parts of four seasons in the minor leagues, Clase made his big league debut with Seattle, slashing .195/.233/.220 with no home runs in 43 plate appearances.
Prior to the call-up, he had success in Triple-A, where he slashed .274/.373/.483 with 10 home runs in 280 plate appearances, along with a 14.3 BB% and a 25.7 K% for a 112 wRC+. His tenure with Buffalo hasn’t been nearly as good though, as Clase is slashing .244/.288/.363 with two home runs in 146 plate appearances, along with a 6.2 BB% and a 26 K%.
Clase did, however, have his best game of the season Tuesday, where he had four hits including a double. Since August 30, Clase is slashing .288/.328/.390 with six doubles in 64 plate appearances.
Although he hasn’t hit for much power since joining the Blue Jays, that is one of three above-average tools for Clase. Despite his 5’10” stature, he has quite a lot of pop in the bat. His best tool by far is his speed, as he’s already stolen 12 bases in 16 attempts since joining the Buffalo Bisons. Clase’s speed also translates into being a good centre fielder.
It’s unclear how much playing time Clase will get in the final week and a bit of the season, as the Jays have a boatload of outfielders on the active roster: Steward Berroa, Joey Loperfido, Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider, and George Springer. Still, it’ll be nice to see Clase get some plate appearances in the big leagues.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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