The stadium’s announcer threw Moreno’s name over the speakers and, this time, the Blue Jays fans in the stands of Comerica Park remained quiet. Moreno received a heartfelt applause from the Toronto fans before his first MLB appearance earlier in the game, but not this time. It was the ninth inning and the Detroit Tigers closer Gregory Soto fell for the fun. With two outs, he threw a quick ball 98 miles / hour down the belt and Moreno sent it right back where it came from. The 105.2 mph liner carefully passed through the center field and as Moreno rounded first, he kissed his hand and pointed to the sky. The Blue Jays eventually lost Saturday’s game 3-1, but the 22-year-old climbed the board with one hit. “I wanted to take it [my first hit] “Moreno said through interpreter Hector Lebron. “Thank God it happened to my last bat. I really wanted it. “ Gabriel Moreno scored a shot and scored a streak in his debut with the Blue Jays. (AP Photo / Carlos Osorio) The Blue Jays have not seen a prospect of this magnitude debut since Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bisset both reached the 2019 major leagues to save a tired Jays fan who lost baseball for a few years. Moreno is not proud of the genealogical or famous surname of a Guerrero or a Bichette, but his rise to the top of the potential leaderboards was just as impressive. Having signed up as an international free agent from Venezuela in 2016 for just $ 25,000, Moreno was never expected to ride such a powerful hype train. Now, he is the fourth best candidate in baseball by consensus – and on Saturday he finally joined a competing Blue Jays team that has the playoff baseball in mind. Praising the attack for his quick hands and above-average contact ability, Moreno showed some striking talent with 1-for-4 days. His defense, however, was undoubtedly more effective. Generously recorded at 5 feet-11, 195 pounds, Moreno does not carry the typical frame of a big-class catcher – he was originally identified as a midfielder before the Blue Jays moved him behind the plate. The story goes on If you watch Moreno catch, you will see his background pierce. Everything he does is fluid, almost danceable. His athleticism, his fast foot, his sound transfer and his one-handed cannon make him arguably the best catcher throw in the Blue Jays. He put all these tools on the screen when a runner broke to steal second in the first inning. Moreno stabbed a diving splitter and fired a shot at Bichette from the back of the net, hitting the post in a timely manner but dropping the ball. The best fishermen in history combine their physical skills with even greater mental capacity. Good catchers develop deep relationships with their pitchers, guide them through games, help them follow their pitches, and comfort or challenge them when things go wrong. These intangibles are the most difficult for new backstops to catch, and catchers often develop these features on-the-fly in large companies. On Saturday, Moreno was tasked with catching Kevin Gausman, one of the first AL Cy Young contenders to start the season at the earliest. It was no small task for Moreno to make his debut with Gausman, the owner of a disastrous splitter and a 10-year high-class record. Instead of fearing being challenged to catch Gaussmann, Moreno seemed restrained. Blocked and framed well during the original pitcher’s six seasons. “This is my big question mark whenever I have a first catcher is how they will block this split,” said Gausman, who lost. “And so, sometimes, guys in third place, he did not hesitate to pick up the phone and did a terrific job blocking it today.” And, to add even more emotional stimulus to his debut, Moreno played his first game against one of baseball heroes, Miguel Cabrera. The old Tigers legend is a symbol in Venezuela and one of the greatest right-handers of all time, so when he asked for a meeting and greeting with Moreno, it was an easy decision. “The meeting with Miguel was incredible,” Moreno said, adding that he and Canberra talked about their families’ origins in Venezuela. The quick but familiar moment with Cabrera offered a cordial perspective on the youngster’s debut in MLB. To the outside world, Moreno’s story is about an ascendant with poor potential. For those who know Moreno better, it is a story of a happy child who goes beyond the possibilities and fulfills a dream. “You always see something special in him,” said Luis Hurtado, one of the Toronto bull hunters, as he thought about when he first looked at Moreno years ago. Hurtado, also from Venezuela, first coached Moreno in the Florida Coast League in 2018. The pair have remained close ever since, initially tying together as compatriots and now sharing each other’s success as Moreno rose to the minor-league ranks. . “It’s a difficult question,” Hourtado said, weeping tears after being asked how much it means to see Moreno succeed. “Especially because how difficult it is for us, for the people of Venezuela. For everything that is happening in our country, for all the obstacles we have to do [overcome]. » The Venezuelan flag is one of the many flags covering the walls around the dugout entrance to Comerica Park. (Photo by Ethan Diamandas) Moreno’s family could not travel to the United States due to passport problems, but Hurtado was there for him, as was Francisco Plasencia, the Venezuelan-born Blue Jays detective who first discovered a 14-year-old Moreno and eventually signed him. When Hurtado arrived at Comerica Park on Friday, he took a picture of a Venezuelan flag hanging in the hallway, making sure he would never forget the weight of this weekend. “I love my country,” he said. “I was born, raised there and I will always be proud of my origin. And these are all who reach the big leagues. “Every Venezuelan player is proud of his country, of our country.” It was a wild journey, in baseball and in life, for Moreno. With a game and a kick under his belt, he can now officially call himself a great champion. “Very emotional,” Moreno said. “I will remember this moment for the rest of my life.” More from Yahoo Sports
