Toronto Blue Jays’ Sean Keys makes big impact in third career game
Keys’ First MLB Home Run
Toronto Blue Jays rookie Sean Keys made a notable impact in his third career major league game, hitting his first MLB home run. The three-run shot came during the third inning of the game against the New York Mets, contributing to a 9-3 victory for the Blue Jays. Keys’ home run was a key moment in securing Toronto’s series win, their first since sweeping the Boston Red Sox from June 16-18.
The 23-year-old infielder was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo last week and debuted on Saturday against the Texas Rangers, where he recorded his first major-league hit, a single. His first home run occurred in his 10th career at-bat. Keys described the moment as “unbelievable,” recalling the celebration with teammates, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who presented him with the team’s celebratory jacket.
Facing Mets right-handed starter Freddy Peralta for the second time, Keys connected with a fastball, sending it 349 feet over the left-field fence. The blast landed in Toronto’s bullpen, electrifying the 41,842-sellout crowd at Rogers Centre on Canada Day. Blue Jays manager John Schneider noted that Keys seemed to know he had hit it well based on his reaction.
Journey to the Majors
Keys was drafted in the fourth round, 125th overall, in 2024 and is ranked 14th in Toronto’s minor-league system by MLB.com. He began the 2026 season in Double A with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, where he hit .285 with a .411 on-base percentage and a .581 slugging percentage, including 14 home runs in 49 games.
In early June, Keys was promoted to Triple A, playing 18 games for the Bisons. During his time there, he batted .281 with a 1.121 on-base plus slugging percentage and hit seven home runs before receiving his call-up to the majors. Keys has stated his intention to apply the successful approaches he developed in the minors to his play at the major-league level, acknowledging the increased competition.
The rookie’s first home run coinciding with Canada Day added to the excitement. The Blue Jays celebrated the national holiday with a pre-game ceremony, which included a $300,000 donation from the Blue Jays and Jays Care Foundation to youth baseball organizations in Canada. Alumni Kevin Pillar, Justin Smoak, and Marco Estrada also participated, with activities like the EdgeWalk from the CN Tower and the unfurling of a giant Canadian flag.
Team Performance and Upcoming Schedule
The Blue Jays’ victory over the Mets, with a final score of 9-3, marked a series win for Toronto. The Mets, meanwhile, have lost eight of their last 10 games. On the mound for Toronto, Braydon Fisher pitched a scoreless first inning, followed by Spencer Miles, who earned the win after three scoreless innings, striking out five. Patrick Corbin pitched five innings in relief, allowing three earned runs on four hits and was credited with a save.
Kazuma Okamoto’s RBI single gave Toronto a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The team deployed a bullpen game strategy for this matchup. Before the game, George Springer was placed on the paternity list. The Blue Jays concluded a 10-game homestand with a 3-7 record and will begin a nine-game road trip on Friday before the all-star break.
Both the Blue Jays and Mets had an off-day on Thursday. Toronto is scheduled to start a three-game series against the Seattle Mariners on Friday, while the Mets will begin a four-game series against the Atlanta Braves.
Source: tsn.ca
