Mitch Marner joins Blue Jays star George Springer for some batting practice
Off-season training for the majority of NHL players is in full swing as everyone prepares for training camp that is scheduled to begin in the middle of September. I say majority of players, because those coming off of surgery or about to have surgery are focused on recovery and rehab.
Leafs players are slowly returning to town and will probably begin informal team skates in the next week or two. One of those players is Auston Matthews' right hand man, Mitch Marner. Across social media, Marner and many Leafs including Jake Muzzin and Justin Holl have been seen together enjoying the summer at cottages, celebrating weddings and engagements, and doing charity work. Today however, Mitch was spotted at Rogers Centre taking batting practice with the Jays, specifically George Springer.
Marner made some decent contact on the first pitch he saw (on video) even better contact on the final pitch caught on camera, even surprising himself. A bonus of the video is the sound of what appears to be a Leafs' staff member speaking to Brendan Shanahan on the phone ensuring Shanahan that Mitch is "only taking a couple of swings".
Before anyone says he needs to train harder and stop enjoying summer because of another playoff loss, remember that just because he doesn't post every workout like P.K. Subban or Tyler Seguin, doesn't mean he isn't training. Yes, it's his job, but it's called the "off-season" for a reason. Also, Marner co-owns a gym, so I'm quite certain he's been training consistently.
