Shelton: Biggio rediscovering form in utility role
After some early season struggles and a bout with COVID-19, Cavan Biggio has rediscovered his form in a utility role for the Blue Jays.
June 13, 2022
By Cole Shelton
Canadian Baseball Network
Cavan Biggio has become a key utility player for the Toronto Blue Jays as of late.
Entering the 2022 season, it was expected that Biggio and Santiago Espinal would split time at second base, but Biggio struggled out of the gate and Espinal thrived.
To make matters worse, he was sidelined with COVID-19, and after recovering, he was optioned to triple-A. After some time in the minors, Biggio was recalled and since then, he has been a key player offensively and defensively.
The left-handed hitter is batting .333 in his last five games with a .444 OBP and a .467 slugging percentage. Along with that, after hitting just .043 in April, he batted .231 in May and is now hitting .348 in June. In his last 36 at bats, he’s hitting .306 with five doubles and a .901 OPS.
His eye at the plate has also improved. During his struggles in April, he struck out 10 times in 23 at bats and only walked once. In June, in the same number of at bats, he has struck out just four times and has been issued seven walks.
With Biggio starting to make harder contact and getting on base, he has helped Toronto’s lineup get hot. From the bottom of the order, he is turning the lineup over and allowing the big bats to get more plate appearances. He’s also a left-handed bat which is something the Jays have been searching for, for quite some time.
Along with Biggio having success at the plate, he has been huge defensively for Toronto. The 27-year-old has played 1B, 2B, LF and RF this season. He has played four games in the OF, nine at first and 11 at second. When he plays at first, it allows Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Montreal, Que.) to get off his feet for a day and either rest completely or be the DH. When he plays second, it either gives Espinal a day off or anyone in the infield as Espinal can slide over to SS or 3B and give Bichette or Chapman time off.
When Biggio was struggling at the plate, it was hard for manager Charlie Montoyo to play him regularly as it hurt their offence. Now, however, he is seeing the ball well and has deepened the Blue Jays’ lineup.