Lind has arrived
Jays fans, this just in: Adam Lind doesn’t suck. You see,
these are the things you discover when you decide to give a prospect more than
19 at-bats in the big leagues before sending him down, figuring he’s not ready.
That, of course, is what the Jays’ savvy, motivated team of front office
personnel did when Lind managed just one hit in his first six starts, afraid of
how his .053 average would project over a full season.
Lind was recalled when Cito Gaston stepped in as manager, and as you’ve likely noticed, he’s raking. Since returning June 22, he’s hitting .346 with five homers and 22 RBIs, easily the Jays’ most productive hitter in the time frame. Gaston, who, to his credit, has given Lind the chance John Gibbons (and the rest of the team’s front office, I’d assume) didn’t, seems to have noticed the production, and has moved him from the number nine spot in the order to the hallowed seven hole in recent games.
Lind had the best game of his young career last night against the Orioles, smacking four hits, including a home run, and driving in three runs. He’s hit in 10 of his last 11 games, including another three hit performance two weeks ago, also against Baltimore. His last hit of that game was a walk-off single, giving the Jays a 6-5 win.
Much was made about the Jays’ decision to keep Shannon Stewart over Reed Johnson this spring. As much as Toronto fans seem to love Johnson, Lind is the team’s future in left field, and whoever started the season would’ve only served as a stopgap until Lind’s time came. Well, that time looks like it’s now.
