Brett Lawrie: Is He Being Vastly Underrated or Vastly Overrated This Spring?

The Toronto Blue Jays’ Brett Lawrie has produced at every level. Last season with their Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas 51s, he posted a .353 average with 18 homers and 61 RBI in just 69 games. He was then called up on Aug. 4 and in 43 games with the Jays he batted .293, clubbed nine more home runs and drove in 25.

It is no surprise why Toronto fans are excited about the possibilities for the upcoming season and beyond. 

So far this spring, he is off to a scorching start. In 10 games, the 22-year-old is batting an impressive .560 (14-for-25). Although he has yet to homer, half of his hits have gone for extra-bases (six doubles and one triple) and his speed has also been on display, as he’s swiped five bags.

He was obtained in a Dec. 6, 2010 trade with the Milwaukee Brewers for Shaun Marcum.

Lawrie certainly appears to be the real deal and could be even better than advertised, so we can confidently say that he is not underrated in any way at this point.   

Could he be overrated? 

His major league experience is very limited, as he only has 150 major league at-bats. What we do know is that Lawrie has all the tools to be a superstar. His expectations for this season are sky-high, as most fans and many baseball insiders believe he will continue where he left off last season. 

Blue Jays broadcaster and former manger Buck Martinez has even compared him to Hall of Famer and 13-time All-Star George Brett.

"He's got more ability than George Brett, and I was George's roommate in Kansas City," stated Martinez. "Now obviously, he doesn't have 3,000 hits or [three] batting titles or an MVP award, so he's got a long ways to go. But he runs and he plays with the same kind of intensity as George did. And that's as high a compliment as I could pay any player."

Do we have to remind everyone that he’s just 22 years old and only has 150 major league at-bats? 

Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos was much more realistic when discussing Lawrie.

"I thought the quality of his at-bats were outstanding. That being said, I don't think it's fair to take the stats he had last year and try to prorate them over 500 at-bats. That's probably not going to happen."

Could a sophomore slump await? He figures to be a big part of the Jay’s offense this season and opposing teams are well aware of the problems he presents. As a result, teams are going to look for new ways to get him out, and he will have to adapt to those changes.

There is little doubt that his all-out mode has not only endeared him to Toronto supporters, but also fans around the league. Lawrie is an exciting player. What’s not to like about his attitude and win at all costs approach?

“I play the game hard and whatever happens  happens,” he said.  “It’s when you stop playing the game hard and do things at a different speed than you usually do them is when things go wrong. So I just go out there and play the game like I always play it. Play hard, but in control. It looks like I’m going a million miles an hour, but at the same time that’s my speed and that’s how I play the game.”

Expectations should be high with the type of talent Lawrie has exhibited so far. We all believe he is going to be a good player with the potential to be great. Although a comparison to the likes of Brett is a high compliment, those are lofty standards and if he fails to meet those expectations would he then be considered overrated?