Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Brett Bateman shared his reaction to what was a highly successful debut in the major leagues.
The Blue Jays picked up Bateman, along with fellow prospect Ty Southisene, from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline in exchange for Kevin Gausman. With Luis Urias going on the IL for the Blue Jays, the team called up Bateman after just two games with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons to the big-league ballclub.
On Friday, Bateman made his official MLB debut as the Blue Jays won 5-4 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Bateman batted ninth and started in center field for the Blue Jays, helping the team get the win with a solid showing at the plate, where he hit a double off Phillies ace Zach Wheeler in his very first major-league at-bat.
Brett Bateman Reacts to Successful Debut
Speaking to Sportsnet after the game, Bateman shared his thoughts on smashing a double off Wheeler in his first MLB at-bat with all of his friends and family cheering him on in the crowd at Citizens Bank Park. He also drew two walks.
“I barrelled it. I got it well, but I was just thinking turn at first and just keep going. I’m not known as a big power guy, so I was just getting the barrel on it was enough for me. Got a good launch angle on it and then once I got to second, I was happy, gave a thumbs up. I don’t really know what the celly was. I’m really not included on that, so just gave a thumbs up and a let’s go. Pretty cool,” Bateman said.
Brett Bateman Just Trying to Be Himself
One of the knocks against Bateman is that he doesn’t have much power, as he hit just three home runs this year for the Iowa Cubs. But he does have great defense and speed, and if he can bring those things to the table for the Blue Jays, then he will get every opportunity to steal the center field job after the team traded away longtime center fielder Daulton Varsho to the Houston Astros at the trade deadline.
“I try not to be someone that I’m not. Just trying to be the person that I am, that’s what got me here. I know people say ‘he doesn’t have power, he doesn’t have power.’ But if you do one thing right, then Skip doesn’t have an option to not put you in the lineup. I try not to focus on the things that I’m not good at and focus on things I’m really good at, because ultimately, baseball is a team sport; if you do something really well, contribute to a team, that’s going to help them a lot,” Bateman said.
After a great MLB debut out of the nine-hole, the Blue Jays inserted Bateman into the No. 2 spot in the batting order for Saturday’s game against the Phillies, showing how much faith Blue Jays manager John Schneider already has in the young man.
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