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Last year, Clase became the first player to hit at least 20 home runs and steal at least 70 bases in a single minor-league season since at least 1961, when stats gathering became reliable.

“I always had to work very hard on being an athlete,” Clase told the Star through interpreter Raul Pimentel in the Buffalo Bisons dugout before a recent game.

“My goal is always being athletic — working on my speed without losing strength, and adding strength without losing my speed, so making sure to create a healthy balance between those two. That’s what really helps me put that display on the field.”

That work helped the young Dominican to an .802 on-base plus slugging percentage last season, mostly in Double-A after overwhelming high Class-A pitchers in a 21-game stint. He finished with 28 doubles and eight triples to go with 20 homers, and stole 79 bases in 94 attempts.

The Jays’ single-season record for steals is 60, by Dave Collins in 1984. He hit two home runs that year.

Among the top 10 seasons for steals in franchise history, only twice did the base thief also make it to double digits in homers: Roberto Alomar (17, with 55 steals in 1993) and Shannon Stewart (12, with 51 steals in 1998).

Clase was up with Seattle three times this year, including a call-up the day after his 22nd birthday in May. He hit .195 in 41 at-bats with no homers, but had three steals without being caught. He was with the big-league club when the Jays dealt for him.

“It was a shocker to me,” Clase said. “I was with Seattle since I was a kid and I have always been with them. I never thought they were going to trade me.”

Once the shock wore off, he realized he was going to a place where he’s wanted.

“I feel like (the Blue Jays) traded for me because they have good plans for me. I’m here, I’m ready to put the work in every day and make things happen.”

It has been a struggle with Buffalo. Clase was batting just .211 with a .598 OPS through Thursday. He had hit two home runs and stolen three bases on five attempts, with 22 strikeouts and just five walks in 77 at-bats.

Clase was in the lineup Thursday, after missing four days with a sore right hamstring, and went 1-for-5 with four strikeouts. That brought his total as a professional to 489 strikeouts in 427 games heading into Friday’s road date with the Durham Bulls.

“There’s some swing-and-miss,” Jays manager John Schneider said when Clase was acquired. “But there’s also pretty good plate discipline (255 walks), if that makes sense. It’s kind of a double-edged sword … I think just working on the contact ability is what we’re focusing on with him.”

There’s also power, more than you’d expect from a five-foot-10 switch-hitter listed at 150 pounds. And blazing speed that can stretch singles into extra bases would be a welcome addition to a team that has only had three players steal more than 20 bases in a season over the last decade. The last with more than 30 was Rajai Davis, with 45 in 2013.

The Jays already have the game’s best defensive centre-fielder in Daulton Varsho. So, while Clase has played in centre in Buffalo, he would likely shift to left in Toronto. That’s where he made all 12 of his big-league starts with Seattle.

That call could come as early as Sunday, when major-league rosters expand by two: one pitcher and one position player. If it comes, the sixth-year pro will be ready.

“I’ve been learning about the pc28����Blue Jays’ culture,” Clase said. “I’ve been learning about how they work, how they do things, getting to know the resources, the teammates.”

That taste of the big leagues earlier this season?

“It helps a ton,” he said. “Because I’ve let the nerves out (so) now I can play a little bit more relaxed. I know what I need to do.”