Finally recovered from an oblique injury that deprived him of a month of activity, Quebec’s Otto Lopez returned to the Buffalo Bisons, the Blue Jays’ AAA school club. He now wants only one thing: to be seen from Toronto.

“It doesn’t bother me, I feel 100% right now,” he said of Buffalo ahead of a game against the Syracuse Mets. But it took a long time: we had to find the exact formula to get me on my feet, and in the end, it was just complete rest that did me good. »

This month away from the game, however, has left his mark: he has recorded a career average of 0.304 since joining the Jays organization in 2017, reaching just 0.200 before Friday’s game.

“The sample is too small to worry about their stats this season; he has just a few hits at the moment and we’re not worried about his numbers, assured general manager Ross Atkins, meeting earlier this week in Toronto. We are especially happy to hear that physically he appears to have recovered from this injury. He’ll be able to get the baton presences he lacks and deliver performances on par with those he’s offered so far, if not better. He worked really hard in every aspect and we are very excited about his return to the game. We can’t wait to see what it can offer. »

His manager with the Bisons, ex-Expo man Casey Candaele, is also not worried about the 23-year-old Quebecer’s fitness.

“He’s always been a great hitter. His current problems are entirely related to his oblique injury. He’s completely healed, but the lost time hurts him now. He just needs to find his rhythm and play regularly. Defensively, he plays really well and still runs well on the trails. He’ll get over it, I’m not worried at all. »

Offensive average isn’t there, but his average trail presence is slowly picking up pace at 0.315. His average power (0.422) is one-thousandth of that displayed so far in the Jays’ subsidiaries.

Versatility

He began his Gulf Coast League apprenticeship at rookie level in 2017, having been signed as a free agent a year earlier. A native of the Dominican Republic, Lopez didn’t have to go through the draft, like Canadian players.

Every season since then has seen him move up a notch, so last year he received his first major call-up, being used once at bat. Withdrawn in the captures, he waits for the next opportunity to assert himself.

“It was just to make me prove what I want to live all the time”, philosopher Lopez.

The second base, he is currently working on developing his versatility. The infielder is busy in Toronto, with the excellent Bo Bichette at shortstop and Santiago Espinoza currently enjoying his career best moments in second. Another young prospect, Cavan Biggio, can also play midfield, but he was recently relegated to AAA level, officially for being fit after injury, but Biggio was having a hard time with the Jays.

Atkins didn’t say this directly, but we think Lopez would be better off dominating multiple positions, just like Abraham Toro does with the Seattle Mariners.

The best game of all time. If he’s good enough, he’ll be here one way or another, sooner or later. But I’ll say this: versatility is a powerful weapon and he trains a lot to improve his.

Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins

“It’s good that all young players learn more than one position,” added Candaele. Often, the first time you’re called up to the Majors, you’re not necessarily playing in your primary position, the one you’ve been playing in for a long time. So it’s good for him that we have him playing in more than one position: when he’s called, he’ll be more prepared. »

Candaele sees Lopez as a complete player who just needs more hits to get back on track from previous seasons.

“He’s an excellent runner and can play on every field, as well as being able to play second, shortstop and third. All these assets add value. He can help in a number of ways defensively and teams value that a lot these days.

“Offensively, he’s a powerful guy. He’s not necessarily a homer, but he regularly hits the fairways and when he goes home, opposing clubs can’t play special defense because he hits every field. This helps you see good power and presence/power ratios. »

a great worker

Candaele particularly likes the work ethic demonstrated by Lopez, the quality that could earn him a call-up sooner than he thinks.

“He’s a guy who plays the right way. He is always ready to work overtime. These are all things that work in his favor. It’s interesting to direct it. »

The director in question doesn’t think much of Toronto, but he hopes Toronto will think of him.

“I feel like I’m about to get back to the pace I had last year. It is certain that when they need me, I will be ready. »