How scrappy Davis Schneider snagged last spot on Blue Jays roster

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Davis Schneider learned in the early stages of his career in professional baseball to never take anything for granted.

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When you’re a 29th-round draft pick and for years buried deep in the Blue Jays minor league system, that’s how you are forced to roll – living with the reality that there are no guarantees.

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That perseverance has served the 27-year-old New Jersey native well in his career almost certainly factored into the team’s decision to give him the final position player spot on the 26-man roster.

Even with some of the successes he had in 2026 – and his strong presence in the Jays clubhouse – Schneider came to spring training with the same attitude that got him there in the first place. Struggles at the plate in Florida added to the challenge, but Schneider’s approach never wavered.

“For me, going into every year, I feel like having that mindset of security is never a good thing,” Schneider said in an interview during spring training. “In my opinion, I feel like you should always be fighting for your job, always put the work in, making sure your job is never going to be taken from you.”

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No doubt that scrappiness played into Schneider muscling his way into the 13th man spot when the team announced its final opening day roster this week. It wasn’t the most productive spring training for Schneider, however, but the Jays decision makers were willing to look beyond the meaningless stats of Grapefruit League games.

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Spring struggles added uncertainty

“Obviously, you never know what decisions are gonna be made,” Schneider said. “But I don’t think I’ll ever have that mindset of my job being secure. Just gotta go out there and make sure I’m competing for a job.

“That will never change for me. Because you never know what people are thinking up (in the front office). You’ve just got to make sure you’re not giving them a reason not to be on the team. So yeah, just still fighting for a job.”

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The fact that Schneider was struggling in Grapefruit League play led to some uncertainty. The outfielder had just five hits from 38 at-bats in 17 games, exacerbating that doubt, leading to speculation that infielder Leo Jimenez would nudge Schneider out for the last spot.

Instead, the team went with Schneider while reliever Spencer Miles snagged the final pitching spot. In other roster notes in advance of Friday’s opening day, four pitchers were placed on the 15-day injured list – starters Shane Bieber, Jose Berrios and Trey Yesavage as well as reliever Yimi Garcia. Jimenez, meanwhile, was designated for assignment.

Do spring results matter?

As for the struggles at the plate during the spring, Schneider is hoping to shrug it off, much as veteran teammate George Springer did a year ago when he looked lost in Florida and then had one of the best seasons of his career when he shipped north.

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“George couldn’t hit all spring and then the season starts and he’s the best hitter I’ve ever seen,” Schneider said.

“Obviously, he’s George Springer, so it’s a little bit different. Spring is definitely important, but it’s also making sure you’re figuring out your swing for that year.

“I’ve felt good at the plate. The main thing about spring training is getting your feet wet and making sure you’re feeling good and going out there with a game plan. I feel like I’ve been doing that pretty well.”

With a workout day at the Rogers Centre on Thursday in advance of what will be a gala first of 162 against the Athletics the following night, the Jays know the spotlight will be shining their way.

And Schneider can’t wait.

“I follow hockey a little bit, but now that the Leafs (look like they’re) not going to be in the playoffs, I feel like everyone in Toronto will be focused on baseball and I love being in that city,” said Schneider, who joined a number of Jays teammates at Wednesday’s Leafs-Rangers game.

From a baseball perspective, it sure beats Buffalo and the triple-A Bisons. Schneider has spent enough of his career doing that.

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