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2024 Blue Jays Player Review: Addison Barger improved with more consistent playing time

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation | By Ryley Delaney | Last updated Oct 27, 2024 2:00 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays may have their third baseman of the future in Addison Barger.

In 2022, the sixth-round pick in the 2018 draft finally broke out, hitting 26 home runs between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. After a disappointing 2023 season filled with injuries and poor performance, Barger returned with a vengeance in 2024.

Heading into the 2025 season, Barger is certainly in consideration for a spot on the 26-man roster given his power potential. Let’s look at how he performed in 2024.

Addison Barger in 2024…

Plate Appearances: 225

Batting Average: .197

On-Base Percentage: .250

Slugging Percentage: .351

Home Runs: 7

Strikeouts: 60

Walks: 14

fWAR: -0.3

Salary: $740,000

After a rough 2023 season with the Buffalo Bisons, Barger rebounded in a big way, slashing .260/.391/.466 with nine home runs in 249 plate appearances with Toronto’s Triple-A team. Moreover, he continued to keep his K% low, as it sat at 19.3%, while he finished with an impressive 16.1 BB%.

Sadly, that didn’t quite translate to big league success, at least on a surface level. The 24-year-old slashed .187/.250/.351 with seven home runs in 225 plate appearances, along with a 6.2 BB% and a 26.7 K%.

Simply put, Barger’s first two stints with the Blue Jays weren’t great. In 66 plate appearances from April 24 until July 5, the third baseman/corner outfielder slashed .159/.185/.206 with no home runs and three doubles, giving him an 8 wRC+.

On July 20, Barger was recalled for the third and final time by the Blue Jays. Coinciding with the trade deadline, Barger was granted more playing time and slashed .214/.277/.414 with seven home runs and eight doubles in 159 plate appearances, along with a 7.5 BB% and a 25.2 K%, giving him a 95 wRC+.

Addison Barger just called game.

His biggest moment yet in the big leagues. #BlueJays pic.twitter.com/PVC6qvHXAj

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 24, 2024

Barger split time between third base and the outfield in 2024. The 24-year-old played 256.1 innings at the hot corner, registering 2 Defensive Runs Saved and -5 Outs Above Average. In left field, he played 55 innings and had -1 DRS and OAA, but he had never played left field in his career before.

However, Barger had experience playing in right field before joining the Jays in 2024. In turn, he had 2 DRS and 0 OAA in 174 innings, showcasing his strong arm with three assists this past season.

What a play by Addison Barger to gun the runner out at first! pic.twitter.com/8BnbBkBIwU

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 19, 2024

It’s unclear what the plans are for third base. The Jays have been looking for a permanent solution for the hot corner since Josh Donaldson was traded in 2018. Since then, they’ve filled that position with countless players, the most notable of which was Matt Chapman in 2022 and 2023. Can Barger be the player that gives them a long-term solution?