By Cam Newell
Toronto Observer
DUNEDIN, Fla. – Andrew Guillotte was never the biggest or strongest guy at the ball park, and that hasn’t bothered him one bit.
Take one look at the five-foot-eight, 170-pounder and you’re reminded of a small running back more than a professional baseball player.
“I’ve played with a couple of guys over the years who don’t throw the hardest, don’t run the fastest, and don’t hit the farthest,” he said, at the Bobby Mattick Training Complex. “But when they’re up to bat, when they’re on the mound or in the field they’re just so dependable, that consistency that dependability is key for staying in the game and moving up.”
The Blue Jays prospect hopes dependability along with his versatility in the field can be his two calling cards in the major leagues one day.
Guillotte has proven dependable in the field and on the bases since being drafted by the Jays in the 32nd round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft. He has 42 assists in 254 games in the outfield with just nine errors, and 62 stolen bases in 304 career minor-league games.
“I absolutely love throwing people out,” he said. “That’s up there with home runs and game-winning anything, I just love throwing people out.”
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The career utility man has also made a name for himself with his ability to play all over the field. Guillotte has played shortstop, second base, and third base in addition to all three outfield positions in his short time in the Jays’ system.
The Louisiana native has played multiple positions since high school, making his transition to professional baseball that much easier.
“Just that entire path of mixing back and forth when I got (to the Blue Jays) and they asked me to do that it was an easy transition,” he said. “So I think that for me that’s my thing that will continue to get me through the system. I have confidence that I’m able to do anything at any position.”
It has certainly helped his rise through the Blue Jays’ system. Guillotte moved from the Advanced-A Dunedin Jays to the triple-A Buffalo Bisons last season alone, playing every position listed above along the way. He was a mid-season all-star with Dunedin before being called up.
“That’s my skill right there is being able to be versatile and consistent and dependable,” he said. “Left, centre, right. Second, short, third.”
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