Toronto Blue Jays' Chris Bassitt epitome of what it takes to get the job done
Photo credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt continues his post-season scoreless streak as a reliever out of the bullpen.
When the Chicago White Sox selected Chris Bassitt in the 16th round of the 2011 MLB Draft, the six-foot-five right-hander had just wrapped up his college career, where he served as a shutdown relief option at the University of Akron.
Fast forward 14 years, and Bassitt is once again putting his talents to use out of the bullpen. Only this October, it's been for the Toronto Blue Jays on the post-season stage.
Chris Bassitt will play whatever role is needed to win the World Series
Bassitt loves to start. He insists that starting pitching is more valuable than relief pitching and you'll never talk him out of this.
He's old-school and stubborn, but he loves the art of starting and he'll never let that go.
The Blue Jays needed him in the bullpen, though, and the savvy veteran has given them the best surprise of the postseason.
After not even cracking the ALDS roster against the Yankees, Bassitt is suddenly a legitimate weapon out of the 'pen.
«I can't speak highly enough about [Chris], just getting to know him over the past three years,» Schneider said. «He understands where we are and understands what last night was for everybody. I liked him at that spot of the lineup, too, with the sinker and breaking ball. And he wanted to finish it. It kind of speaks volumes to him as a teammate, as a person.»
Bassitt doesn't throw 100 mph, but he doesn't need to. He refuses to even buy into the idea of «maxing out» as a reliever, believing that's how pitchers get hurt, but he allows himself to say that he's able to put just a bit more effort into his pitches in short stints.
Then, when he takes his foot off the gas for one of those looping, 70 mph curveballs, the hitter is left flailing at empty air.
Bassitt gave the Blue Jays two innings of scoreless ball Tuesday, one night after pitching a scoreless inning in the Game 3 loss.
At this point, Bassitt would pitch 50 days in a row for the Blue Jays. He understands the stakes, pitch counts and workloads be damned.
It was his fifth appearance of the post-season, and Bassitt still hasn't allowed a run to either of the powerful Dodgers or Seattle Mariners lineups in 6.2 innings of work.
In fact, Bassitt has been so dominant in relief that just two of the 21 batters he's faced ended up reaching base and only three of those 21 matchups have gone to a three-ball count.
"I didn't think it was going to be this role, but I'm happy (how) it's playing out," Bassitt said post-game.
The veteran starter has developed into one of baseball's most reliable innings-eaters over the past four seasons.
Chris Bassitt calls this Blue Jays team the closest he's ever been apart of 🫶
Bassitt's teammates share their thoughts on his performance out of the Blue Jays bullpen
"He's been unbelievable. To kind of switch your role like that and do it seamlessly is impressive," Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement said after the game.
"He's nastier as a reliever. I think the set-up role is perfect for him."
"He's nastier as a reliever. I think the set-up role is perfect for him."
Since 2022, only five pitchers in baseball have thrown more innings than Bassitt.
«He's the man. He runs the kennel out there,» Louis Varland said. «He's the epitome of 'Whatever it takes, get it done.' He's up for any task, any situation at all.»
Bassitt and Varland are a perfect match, two headstrong relievers who just want to pitch, pitch, pitch.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 29 | 366 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays' Chris Bassitt epitome of what it takes to get the job done Do you like Chris Bassitt better as a starter or a reliever? | ||
| Starter | 83 | 22.7 % |
| Reliever | 283 | 77.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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