The Toronto Blue Jays are likely going with inexperienced players at DH in 2010
32-year old righty swinging Randy Ruiz and 26-year old righty swinging Brian Dopirak will likely battle for the DH job in spring training. Ruiz has the edge based on how well he hit for the Blue Jays at the end of the 2009 season. Ruiz played in 33 games for the Blue Jays last season and he was 36 for 115 (.313 avg, 1.019 OPS) with 25 runs scored, 10 homers and 17 RBIs. Ruiz also had a strong season in AAA last year as he played in 114 games in which he was 148 for 462 (.320 avg, .976 OPS) with 81 runs scored, 25 homers and 106 RBIs. Ruiz was finally rewarded last September for a solid minor league career. Ruiz has played in 1,088 games in his minor league career and he is 1,249 of 4,103 (.304 avg, .909 OPS) with 685 runs scored, 192 homers and 807 RBIs.
Brian Dopirak has yet to play in the major leagues but that should change this season. He played in 139 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 173 for 546 (.317 avg, .921 OPS) with 77 runs scored, 27 homers and 102 RBIs. Dopirak has now played in 795 games in his minor league career and he is 855 for 3,346 (.281 avg, .826 OPS) with 416 runs scored, 145 homers and 543 RBIs.
PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE DH IN 2010: C
You’re right, the players they are starting the season at the position with may not be very experienced, but I say they might put send up Brett Wallace in August to play DH. This would give him much-needed Major-League experience.
I think the more likely scenario for Wallace will be that the Blue Jays trade Lyle Overbay at the trade deadline to open up 1B for him. Teams generally don’t like to DH young players.