- Louis Varland has emerged as the Blue Jays’ most dominant reliever, utilizing a unique pre-appearance ritual known as the “velo slap” to trigger an adrenaline surge before taking the mound.
- While serving as the team’s de facto closer, Varland is primarily deployed in the highest-leverage situations of the game, regardless of the inning, boasting a team-leading 1.92 leverage index.
- Varland’s statistical dominance is elite, featuring a 0.50 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 35.2 innings, positioning him as a top contender for the newly established AL Reliever of the Year award.
- His success is bolstered by an improved changeup, which has significantly neutralized left-handed hitters compared to his 2025 performance.
- The “velo slap” ritual, performed by bullpen coach Graham Johnson, has become a signature team tradition that manager John Schneider credits for helping Varland maintain his focus and intensity.
Read the full story here: https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/fuelled-by-velo-slap-varland-emerges-as-blue-jays-bullpen-ace/
