Davis among quartet called up by Blue Jays

September 3rd, 2019

ATLANTA -- As the Blue Jays get deeper into the month of September, the team continues to add depth to its roster.

After Triple-A Buffalo’s season came to a close on Monday, four players departed the Bisons to make their way to Atlanta, joining Toronto for the series finale against the Braves at SunTrust Park. Outfielders and and infielder returned after stints in the Majors earlier in the season, with T.J. Zeuch making his big league debut on Tuesday.

“I’m hoping I can get them all in,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. “That’s going to be the tough part. They’re here, they’re going to get a chance here and there. It’s a lot of guys and good kids, too. That’s what I love about these kids. I’m hoping they’re good because they’re quality human beings [and] they’ve got tools too.”

In 13 starts for the Bisons, Zeuch -- a 24-year-old right-hander from Ohio and Toronto’s No. 16 prospect -- posted a 3.69 ERA over 78 innings with 32 walks and 39 strikeouts. In 79 games at the Major League level over the past three seasons, Urena has slashed .255/.302/.337 with two home runs, 11 doubles and 10 RBIs.

Battling injuries this season, Alford played in 76 matchups for the Bisons and hit .259/.343/.411 with seven homers, 16 doubles and three triples, stealing 22 bases, scoring 46 runs and driving in 37. Davis made it into 18 games with Toronto this season and 82 contests with Buffalo, hitting .262/.382/.449 for the Bisons.

“I’ve had a pretty good year,” Davis said. “I did a bunch of learning. When you deal with so much and having to overcome a lot of stuff, it teaches you and helps you mature when it comes to life and growing up. Being up and down, not playing as much as I wanted to, getting here and not playing every day, the grind of baseball, you have to learn how to cope with it and how to prepare yourself each and every day regardless of where you’re going to contribute that day.

“Another thing I’ve taken away from it is to just enjoy the journey. Being able to come up early was fun. Even though the team was struggling, I was able to see what it was like playing in the big leagues every day.”

Since Davis was last a member of the big league team before the All-Star break, Toronto’s clubhouse has gotten increasingly younger and has continued to add more familiar faces from his journey through the Minor Leagues.

“It’s very exciting,” the 27-year-old centre fielder said. “I remember playing with Bo [Bichette] and [Cavan] Biggio and Vladdy [Guerrero Jr.] in New Hampshire last year, and I told them that in three to five years, we were going to be in the big leagues and competing for a World Series. To see all of us here right now, this group, and to be able to look forward and see that it could actually happen and it’s coming to fruition is pretty cool.”

Montoyo echoed Davis’ sentiment, enjoying the opportunity he’s been afforded to see what the future may hold for the Blue Jays.

“We’re getting better,” the manager said. “We’re competing with the best teams in baseball and we’re there in every game. Whether we lose or win, we’re in every game, and that’s what I want. It’s good for these kids that we’re playing the best teams in September.

“I’m very lucky to be here watching this team play every day. Whether we win or lose, I know they’re going to be good.”

Added Davis: “Every time we go out there, we play to win, regardless of what people may say or think, but it’s also a good look at what we’re expecting or hoping for in the future with a young core, and you’ll be able to see the kind of talent we have. I don’t know what that’s going to look like, but I know we’ve got a lot of great guys and a lot of great talent coming up, and that’s here right now.”

With one more move to be made and a 40-man roster spot required before it can happen, Toronto will add No. 4 prospect Anthony Kay to the roster as the road trip continues into St. Petersburg. The 24-year-old left-hander is expected to get the start against the Rays on Saturday, according to a source.