Conversations with the Herd: Blue Jays Outfielder Davis Schneider

By: Brian Frank

Davis Schneider has been on a tear for the high-flying Toronto Blue Jays. Since June 1, the native of Voorhees, New Jersey, is slashing .278/.385/.530 with eight home runs and a .916 OPS.

“I'm a big tinkerer in my swing,” Schneider explained of his recent success in an interview with The Herd Chronicles. “If people watch my swing this whole year, I definitely changed it up, maybe like five or six times. But I feel like just getting to the park early, working on some stuff.”

“Our hitting coaches we have here have been great, so credit to them,” Schneider continued. “Pop (Blue Jays hitting coach Dave Popkin), Lou (assistant hitting coach Lou Iannotti), and Hunter (assistant hitting coach Hunter Mense), they've been really good this year. I can't really do anything without them, so I credit them a lot. Going back to what I was used to doing, seeing pitches, working the count, swinging at pitches I know I can handle is kind of big. Lou and Pop and Hunter reinforce that—try not to do too much when you're up there—and I feel like I've done that so far.”

Schneider in Dunedin during Spring Training. Photo Credit: Brian Frank, The Herd Chronicles

One of Schneider’s recent home runs came off slugger Rowdy Tellez. The former Blue Jays first baseman took the mound for the Texas Rangers in an attempt to save the team's bullpen in a blow-out loss to the Blue Jays.

“My last two homers have been off position players,” Schneider chuckled, “so hopefully they don't count that against me. I was trying to hit a homer both times—crowd the plate, try to yank it, try to hit it over the fence—because if I try to go up there and try to push it or shoot for a base hit, I either pop it up or kind of hit it right into the ground. So, I was trying to go yard both times, and it worked out.”

Schneider has also excelled defensively—recently making a highlight real catch to rob Burlington, Ontario native Owen Caissie of extra bases in his first major-league at-bat in a game against the Cubs at Rogers Centre.

“Just like any other play, I was trying to make a play for our pitcher, especially Max Scherzer—he gets so hyped and into the game,” Schneider said. “So, I mean, it doesn't matter if it was that guy's first hit or not, I’m still going to try to make a play on a guy. It would have been cool for him to get a hit in Canada, his home country, but I’m trying to win a baseball game out there, you know?”

An infielder by trade, Schneider only began playing outfield three years ago. He’s made huge strides in his outfield defense, not only making the routine catches, but also frequently making exceptional plays—like when he robbed Caissie.

“I feel like just having (Daulton) Varsho and KK (Kevin Kiermaier) and George (Springer)—they're three terrific outfielders," Schneider explained of his growth in the outfield. "I learned a lot from them, especially KK. He taught me to be yourself out there. Don't try to do too much. Don't try to make the spectacular catch. Especially when it comes to first step stuff, try to be comfortable out there. Just because you're trying to make the play, you’ve got to be comfortable. KK, taught me a lot out there. Watching them do work each day, you can take a lot from them—and I feel like I definitely have.”

Schneider has a .916 OPS since June 1. Photo Credit: Brian Frank, The Herd Chronicles

The Blue Jays have been playing in front of huge, raucous crowds at Rogers Centre this summer as they look to win their division and make a deep playoff run.

“It's awesome,” Schneider said.  I mean, weekday games, it's already sold out, 44,000 fans. They've been great.”

“I hear the playoffs there are one of a kind,” he added. “It's going to get loud in there. It's already pretty loud. But I feel like the fans are going to come when it comes to October baseball.”

Toronto is currently in first place in the American League East, four games ahead of the second-place New York Yankees and battling the Detroit Tigers for the top record in the A.L.

“It's pretty cool to see everyone work together,” Schneider said. “It's not just one guy, it's a different guy every night, so I feel like that part of the of our team is awesome. The coaching staff is awesome too. You can't really forget about those guys. They've been really great putting people in good spots they know they can handle. It's just a one-of-a-kind team. Hopefully we can bring a World Series home in the next couple of months.”