Memo to Jays: Don't coddle Lawrie

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He has the bat speed of Paul Molitor, the intensity of Pete Rose and the swagger of Rickey Henderson all wrapped into one explosive six-foot, 215-pound package.

True, Brett Lawrie has only played four big-league games, but the electrifying Canadian inspires this kind of hyperbole.

Have the Toronto Blue Jays rushed the 21-year-old phenom to the big leagues? Not at all. In fact, there's no question in my mind that the Jays would have a much better record if they had recalled Lawrie at the start of May.

And while Jays fans, who gave Lawrie a standing ovation during his first at-bat in his home debut Tuesday night, are thankful that the Langley, B.C. native is finally in Toronto, they shouldn't have to watch Lawrie languishing in the ninth spot in the lineup. Having him hit behind the likes of Jose Molina, John McDonald, Rajai Davis and Aaron Hill - who don't figure prominently in the club's future - seems counterproductive.

The Jays' intent in batting him ninth is, of course, to take pressure off of him while he gets acclimated to the big leagues. Employing the same logic, the Jays introduced Lawrie on the road. But the hard-nosed prospect is hardly the type that wants to be coddled.

Reports indicate that Lawrie grew disillusioned with the Milwaukee Brewers when he felt their plan to bring him up through their system one level at a time didn't challenge him enough.

And this is the same 21-year-old that, after the Jays acquired him in December for starting pitcher Shaun Marcum, boldly proclaimed himself fit for the major leagues. Lawrie is a confident kid who wants to be tested, and hitting second in the lineup - where he batted for much of this season at AAA Las Vegas - would be a welcome challenge.

It's also interesting to note that while the Jays unveiled Lawrie on the road to avoid a media frenzy in Toronto, they were simultaneously running TV ads trumpeting his debut. And cameras have been following Lawrie to everywhere but the washroom since he joined the club.

So if the directive to the coaching staff is to alleviate the pressure on Lawrie, the marketing department didn't get the memo.

Unfazed by hype

Fortunately, Lawrie's performance - even after going hitless with two strikeouts in Tuesday's 4-1 defeat - has shown he's not fazed by the hype, and his promotion has had the additional benefit of taking the spotlight off recently acquired centre-fielder Colby Rasmus, 24, who seems less comfortable in front of the camera. It isn't a coincidence Rasmus has hit .400 since Lawrie's debut.

At the plate, Lawrie employs an open stance with his bat in constant motion. The hitch in the load of his swing is not ideal, but his swing is compact and powerful, and his bat speed is outstanding. The stocky infielder has hit the ball hard to all fields and has worked the count effectively, providing evidence that his plate discipline - considered one of his weaknesses at the start of the season - is improving.

Big-league pitchers have been trying to get him out with a steady diet of outside breaking pitches that he has, for the most part, refused to chase. The young third baseman has also exhibited explosive speed out of the batter's box that's complemented by his all-out hustle.

In his Blue Jays debut Aug. 5 at Baltimore, Lawrie botched a routine ground ball, had a hard-hit ball go off his glove and made a low throw to second on what should've been a double-play grounder. But since that shaky first game, he has been flawless in the field, showcasing quick feet, a strong arm and above average range.

Keep in mind, however, he did make 16 errors in 69 games at Vegas transitioning to third from second base and doesn't possess soft hands or a consistently accurate throwing arm. So, as outstanding as that diving play was on Jemile Weeks's grounder in the fifth inning Tuesday - Lawrie is not Brooks Robinson, but most scouts feel he can develop into a reliable third baseman.

One of the knocks against Lawrie in the past has been his attitude. When he's on the field, he believes he's better than any other player and he shows it. His cockiness sometimes infuriates opponents, and his two Rickey Henderson-like snap catches on pop-ups Saturday were examples of the type of braggadocio that will rub some the wrong way.

But by most accounts, Lawrie has matured this season, and a little swagger is not necessarily a bad thing, especially when it can be backed up and is inspired by an intense desire to win.

If nothing else, Lawrie's performance in his first four games has justified his call-up. The 21-year-old is an electrifying, multi-talented player who inspires hyperbole, and with his skill set, Rose-like hustle and Canadian citizenship, he has the potential to become the most popular player in the history of the franchise.

So have the Jays rushed him to the big leagues? Not at all. He should've been called up in May and now that he's in Toronto, he should be hitting second in the batting order.

Just ask him.

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