Berríos looking to remain a model of consistency

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- You’re probably safe to fill in José Berríos’ 2025 stat line now.

Pick a number between 185 and 190 for the innings pitched. Pick a number between 3.50 and 3.70 for the ERA. For games started? You’re safe with a 32.

Berríos has started 32 games in each of his past four seasons -- each of the past six, if you exclude the shortened 2020 COVID season -- and none of this happens by accident. They call Berríos “La Makina” for a reason.

“For one, it’s a God-given ability, his athleticism. He definitely hit the genetic jackpot with that part of it,” John Schneider said. “He’s taken advantage of it. He never wanted to lose his athleticism when he’s on the mound, so taking that into his workouts has been big. He’s just a strong, athletic guy who takes advantage of these beautiful resources we have provided for everyone.”

Outside of that strange 2022 season, which is the ultimate outlier, Berríos has been one of the most reliable starters in Major League Baseball for nearly a decade now. Whether he gets the ball on Opening Day again or rolls out as the Blue Jays’ No. 2 starter, he’s the perfect pitcher to build a rotation around because you know exactly what you’re going to get out of him each year … or as close to “exactly” as you can get in this game.

It’s still remarkable, though, that Berríos can stand this far above his peers when it comes to his training. This is pro baseball in 2025. Everyone is on a strict program. Everyone lifts. Everyone is trying to outwork the next guy. Still, somehow, it’s Berríos with a reputation that echoes around the league. His fellow starters on the Blue Jays try to follow what Berríos does between starts, but a Berríos workout isn’t your typical circuit training.

“You guys should just follow him around in the gym,” Schneider said. “He just gets after it. He’s as consistent as anyone I’ve ever seen with what he’s doing. He has intent with everything he does. He’s pretty meticulous with his throwing program on non-mound days and mound days in between. He’s earned that nickname. He’s really, really routine oriented.”

What makes Berríos special is that he has found the sweet spot between strength and mobility. Each spring, someone shows up in camp 20 pounds heavier, muscles stretching the seams of their T-shirt. That too often backfires and ends in an IL stint. Berríos, underneath that impressive build, is still one of the most fluid, natural athletes on this roster, which the 2023 Gold Glover showed with an impressive stab on a Trea Turner comebacker in the first inning of his first start this spring on Wednesday in Toronto's 9-6 loss to the Phillies.

It wasn’t just a handful of regulars facing Berríos, either. The Phillies rolled out a stacked lineup for his spring debut, ramping him right up in February.

“I saw the lineup this morning and I thought, ‘... Oh. It’s a good day to work,’” Berríos said, smiling.

Berríos is the rock of what could be an excellent rotation. It’s certainly one of the league’s most experienced, with Max Scherzer joining Berríos, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt, while Bowden Francis gives them upside from the No. 5 spot.

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“This is special,” Berríos said. “Obviously, we have talent and we have experience. We all go out there, compete and pitch good games. At the same time, we need to keep working. We need to keep ourselves healthy and strong. That way, we can have amazing years and help our team.”

There’s always a “but” from Berríos, even on the good days. That’s what has driven him to become one of baseball’s poster boys for consistency. If he throws a shutout, he’ll enjoy it for a moment but tell you he needs to keep working. If he gets lit up, he’ll hate it for a moment but tell you that’s how life goes. Next time will be better. It’s a truly unique ability to stay in the middle.

That’s why Berríos’ stat lines keep ending up in the same spot. He’s the closest thing to predictable the Blue Jays have, and with so many questions hanging over this team going into a crucial season for the future of this organization, predictable might just be the highest form of compliment.