Reese McGuire Happy To Be A Jay

TORONTO—Reese McGuire figured he was going to either the Pirates or Blue Jays in the 2013 draft. Both teams showed interest in the catcher from Kentwood (Wash.) High, but he wasn’t sure which way it would go.

“There was a chance to get picked by Toronto at No. 10,” McGuire said. “When I didn’t get picked ninth by the Pirates, I thought, ‘Well, I’m going to Toronto.’ So it’s kind of funny to be here now. I almost feel like this is where I belong.”

The Blue Jays selected righthander Phil Bickford with the 10th pick, allowing the Pirates to grab McGuire at No. 14. Last summer, Pittsburgh packaged him with veteran lefthander Francisco Liriano and outfield prospect Harold Ramirez for righthander Drew Hutchison at the trade deadline.

Immediately McGuire became the top catching prospect in the system, one highly regarded for his defensive abilities. With a lack of depth behind big league regular Russell Martin, he’s become a very important organizational piece.

“We haven’t spent too much time together yet, but they want me to be me,” McGuire said. “They want me to go out there and play and be the leader, to control the game with the pitchers,” he said. “Just be me.”

McGuire hit .254/.335/.332 in 92 games last year at Double-A Altoona and New Hampshire but counted 36 walks against just 34 strikeouts. More pivotal to his development he said was his focus on setting his routine and becoming consistent with it, a point of emphasis he expects to pay dividends.

“In the past, I’d say my first year or two, later in the season my legs would start to get tired and I’m thinking, ‘I feel a little tired today—let’s go lighter on that activity,’ ” McGuire said.

“But here at the big league level, you hear guys talking about the need to be consistent with your routine no matter how you’re feeling. That’s what it takes.”

JAYS CHATTER

• Along with McGuire, the Blue Jays invited to big league camp prospects Conner Greene, Rowdy Tellez, Tim Mayza, Will Browning and Dwight Smith Jr.

• The Blue Jays released catcher A.J. Jimenez the day before pitchers and catchers reported to spring training. He had been designated for assignment a few days earlier to make room for reliever Joe Smith on the 40-man roster.

— Shi Davidi covers the Blue Jays for Sportsnet