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Blue Jays’ Brett Bateman compliments Toronto’s veterans for making him feel comfortable right away in majors
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Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Oct 6, 2026, 11:54 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays’ 2026 season was largely a disappointment. 
The club finished last in the American League East with a 79-83 record and dealt with offensive struggles that spanned almost the entire duration of the campaign. 
While the club saw many of its players deal with difficulties at the plate, one player who brought a jolt of life to the offence was outfielder Brett Bateman. 
Bateman was acquired from the Chicago Cubs on August 2 alongside No. 17-ranked prospect Ty Southisene in exchange for fan favourite Kevin Gausman. Bateman did his best to make people forget about Gausman after debuting on August 7. 
Across 41 games during his first stint in the big leagues, Bateman batted .329 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. Bateman provided a spark right away and added an ability to make contact in Toronto’s leadoff spot. 
The 24-year-old reached base at a .402 clip, picked up three steals in three attempts, and played superb defence across all three outfield spots. Bateman showed no fear against the best pitching in the world, and while speaking to Lindsay Dunn during the final weekend of the regular season, touched on what helped him succeed right from the get-go in the majors. 
“I think for me, it really helped that I got in right away and got my opportunity to play. This team has done a really good job of helping me fit in and be who I am as a player,” Bateman said. “I really appreciate that and everything they’ve done to make me feel involved right away.” 
Joining a big-league clubhouse can be a daunting task for a rookie as they deal with the pressures that come with playing in Major League Baseball. Luckily for Bateman, the Blue Jays’ locker room consisted of veterans like Max Scherzer, Shane Bieber, and George Springer, all of whom played a role in helping Bateman adjust from the minors. 
“Obviously, starting really well is good, but I think it’s different too when you’re in the clubhouse and you’re around a lot of veterans. Immediately, they have a lot of respect for you regardless if you are a rookie or not,” Bateman said. “I think guys like Bieber, Scherzer, and Springer did an unbelievable job of making me feel just included and allowed me to do whatever I can to try and help the team win games.” 
Upon completion of the 2026 campaign, all three of Bieber, Scherzer, and Springer are set to be free agents. The trio have all voiced their love for the city of Toronto after the year came to an end, and while it remains to be seen if any of them will be back, Bateman stated how they ensured that this group of veterans has helped make the Blue Jays better for years to come. 
“I think they’re just tier-one human beings, that’s just what it is. Like, it would be really easy for them to just sit and focus on themselves and not worry about anyone else, but I think they made sure they are setting up rookies and other players for the future,” Bateman said. “I think that’s what’s going to stick with me the most, as soon as I stepped in those doors, they sat down with me, asked me questions, and I think that’s what I’m going to remember more than anything.”
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