Blue Jays coach David Popkins takes a subtle jab at Astros while backing Jesus Sanchez breakout

Jesús Sánchez got to Toronto with something to prove, and the Blue Jays believe they know how to unlock his full potential as a hitter. Acquired in February 2026 in a trade with the Houston Astros involving Joey Loperfido, making the 28-year-old Sanchez part of the Blue Jays’ squad. After an off-season with the Houston Astros, Sánchez now has a fresh start with hitting coach David Popkins, who didn’t mince words about how the outfielder was handled last year. He said, “He went over to Houston, and they had some ideas for him to change some things, and I think they didn’t quite resonate with his personality and who he is as a hitter. ”

Once as highly regarded as No. 39 on MLB prospect lists in 2019, the very same year as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was first on the list, Sánchez stamped out his name on explosive bat speed and hard contact. Talking about Sánchez’s reign under the Astros, Popkins said, “It kind of went more towards weakness prevention than his strengths, so we’re shifting him back more towards, ‘We want you to do what you do well. ’ Let’s start there, then we can go elsewhere. We’re just trying to see him have rhythm again and get his swing off. We’re excited. He’s had some good days the last couple of days. ” This change in philosophy is at the heart of the city of Toronto’s plan. In six seasons with the Miami Marlins, he never hit for a high average, but he always made a difference in baseball. He had a . 304 BABIP and averaged 14 home runs per season and flashed elite exit velocity. The numbers changed in Houston, but not for the better. In 48 games with the Astros, Sánchez hit only four home runs. His BABIP dropped to . 245. His strikeout rate went from 20. 8% to 25%. His average exit velocity fell from 92. 1 mph to 89 mph. For a hitter whose game relies on loud contact, that drop was important. Now, Toronto thinks it wasn’t his talent, but the alignment that was at fault.

Popkins and the Blue Jays have been making “rhythm” a buzzword this spring. Coaches want Sánchez attacking early on counts as they trust his natural bat path, and they are letting his agility take over and not think too much about his mechanics. “We’re just trying to see him have rhythm again and get his swing off,” Popins said. He added, “He’s had some really good days. “

The Blue Jays have reason to be confident in their approach, as last season, they leaned into role clarity and strength-based adjustments. George Springer retaliated with a campaign as a designated hitter, a Silver Slugger. While Ernie Clement had carved out a valuable niche by owning left-handed pitching, having a .900 OPS against southpaws.

And now, Sánchez may be able to follow a similar path. Even in Miami, he flashed platoon upside and made frequent hard contact. If Toronto can get his exit velocity back and swing and miss less, the power should return, especially in a targeted role against lefties. The Blue Jays are not asking Sánchez to reinvent himself. They’re seeking the hitter scouts who once projected the likelihood to hit . 300 and compare him to some of the brightest young stars in baseball.