It’s been over a decade since, 22 MLB teams have undergone major renovations or completely replaced their training facilities. That’s why Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro describes the recently completed renovation of the organization’s player development complex, which club representatives describe as “skipping a generation.” The Blue Jays are just now catching up to the field.
“It’s something that I’m cognizant of when we talk to players and agents,” Shapiro said. “Dunedin was the laughingstock of MLB, frankly.”
At a total cost (including 2020’s TD Ballpark renovation) of over $100-million USD — jointly funded by the Blue Jays, the city of Dunedin, Pinellas County and the state of Florida — the Blue Jays have upgraded from one of MLB’s poorest facilities to one of its best. It’s the culmination of years of research, design, and construction. A giant undertaking by more than 2,500 people putting in an estimated 500,000 cumulative worker-hours.
Everything is bigger, better, modernized, more functional. The complex now has six full fields, including one with artificial turf and measurements identical to the Rogers Centre, meant to mimic the environment players will encounter in Toronto. There are new bullpens and batting cages; a 168-foot, man-made sprint hill that climbs 20 feet of elevation at a 6.79-degree incline; and covered outdoor training areas, including a full-size turf infield, so work can continue in good weather and bad. The team is now going to be prepared for success as the new season starts.
Derek
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