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John Gibbons: Bo Bichette could be an MVP

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Pedigree

Bo Bichette’s pedigree and confidence are big factors in his success this season, according to former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons.

“He’s been around the game of big league baseball his whole life. He expects that [success] out of himself. He’s just dripping with confidence.”

That pedigree includes Bichette’s father, Dante Bichette. The elder Bichette played 14 big league seasons with the California Angels (1988-90), Milwaukee Brewers (1991-1992), Colorado Rockies (1993-1999), Cincinatti Reds (2000) and Boston Red Sox (2000-2001).

Dante Bichette enjoyed his greatest success when he was with the Rockies organization. He was a four-time All-Star during his stay in Colorado and in 1995 he won a Silver Slugger Award while leading the National League in home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage, total bases and hits to finish second in NL MVP voting behind Barry Larkin.

Learning the league

Gibby says learning the league is another piece of Bo Bichette’s success this season.

“He knows these pitchers better, it’s just kind of a natural progression and he’s playing in a great hitters ballpark.”

Gibbons definitely has a point when it comes to Toronto’s ballpark. Rogers Centre has consistently ranked among the top-10 most hitter-friendly stadiums in the majors.

Hitting from the left or right side of the plate is equally advantageous at Rogers Centre because the retractable roof and higher walls around the outfield make wind less of a factor.

Rogers Centre is also one of just five Major League ballparks still using artificial turf rather than grass. That leads to balls bouncing more unpredictably, resulting in an increase in extra-base hits.

Talent

The most important aspect of Bichette’s success is his talent, according to Gibbons.

“He was born to hit, he knows his swing better than anybody. He’s confident as could be.”

Bichette has the numbers to back up that confidence. He has led the American League in hits in each of the last two seasons and is leading again in 2023. He also has a .318 batting average this season, fourth-best in the majors. Bichette currently leads the Blue Jays in home runs (14), RBIs (44) and slugging percentage (.508).