TORONTO – The Blue Jays are hoping some of the power they’ve been seeking will be coming from within.
Infielder Sean Keys, the Blue Jays' No. 14 prospect, has been selected to the Major League roster, the club announced on Saturday. Keys was set to hit sixth and play first base in his debut in the third game of a four-game series against the Rangers at Rogers Centre.
Keys put himself squarely on the radar of the Blue Jays’ front office this season thanks to his ability to drive the baseball, a quality the team has lacked as it enters play Saturday ranked 22nd in the Majors in home runs with 83.
Across 67 games split between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo, the 23-year-old Keys has hit .284 with 21 homers, 54 RBIs and a 1.028 OPS. Since being promoted to Buffalo on June 5, he has slashed .281/.403/.719 with seven home runs in 18 games.
Keys made sure to soak up the moment while taking batting practice pregame in yet another new place.
“It was incredible. Rogers Centre has to be the most beautiful park in the league,” Keys said. “Seeing it in all of its glory is incredible.”
It was Triple-A manager Casey Candaele who delivered the news. Keys missed Candaele’s first call but responded after receiving an upset voicemail, in jest as it turned out. Candaele said he wanted Keys to come to the field early to work on baserunning before sharing the real reason he was calling.
From there, it was a call to his parents.
As well as he has been playing, Keys admitted the news was still a surprise.
“I was over the moon yesterday, a whirlwind of emotions,” Keys said. “Making phone calls, talking to family and friends. I did have a little bit of trouble sleeping; I think that was the excitement.”
Blue Jays manager John Schneider got his first close look at Keys during Spring Training, an opportunity that was extended thanks to several players being away from the team at the World Baseball Classic.
Between his knowledge of his swing and competitiveness, Keys made a good first impression on his skipper.
“The power is real,” Schneider said. “It was an opportunity for a few guys, him being one of them, with the WBC to be around a little bit. He was playing pretty regularly, so I think that was good to see him, see what he’s about and how he works.”
Now, Schneider will get to see what he can do at the big league level when the games matter.
Where the 2024 fourth-round Draft pick out of Bucknell University primarily plays defensively remains a question, as Keys has played at third and first base this season. Those positions are obviously not in need of filling, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Kazuma Okamoto holding down the corners with the big club.
The Blue Jays value players who can move around the field, with Addison Barger and Davis Schneider being two examples of options in both the infield and outfield. Although, John Schneider pointed out, any sort of major change of position for Keys likely won’t come midseason.
“There’s always a place for really good offensive players,” general manager Ross Atkins said earlier this week in regards to Keys, “and the more versatility you have on your roster, the better. … Trying to add versatility to him will be important.”
Ultimately, that’s a question for another day, or each day when Schneider fills out his lineup card as he looks to balance offensive production with run prevention. If Keys’ pop plays, the Blue Jays will have no choice but to figure out the rest.
Keys describes himself as a competitor and a tough out in the box, one who’s reliable on the bases and in the field.
But for today, he wants to enjoy the experience that comes around only once.
“It’s going to be a big moment, of course,” Keys said.
“I’m excited for the anthems, obviously being in Canada. I think that’s a good focal point for me to turn the page. Now it’s game time. I want to soak it in; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”