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How Addison Barger changed the Toronto Blue Jays for good

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation | By Adam Peddle | Last updated Jun 21, 2025 12:00 PM ET

For the last couple of seasons, the Blue Jays had a big problem: the power bats had completely vanished.

Ever since the departures of Teoscar Hernández, Matt Chapman, Marcus Semien and others, Toronto has been missing multiple big-time sluggers. And last season… it showed. Especially at the hot corner. Splitting time between Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ernie Clement at third base didn’t exactly scream, “fear us.” Sure, they were outstanding defensively, but they weren’t the traditional “middle-of-the-lineup run producers” you typically see at third around the league.

The Jays desperately needed someone to step up. Not just another utility guy, but a player who could anchor both the defense and the offense. Someone who wasn’t just a stopgap, but a long-term cornerstone.

Enter Addison Barger

Back in March, Barger didn’t even make the team out of camp. He was sent down to triple-A Buffalo to begin the season. And ironically, it wasn’t his bat that earned him a call-up – it was Nathan Lukes hitting the paternity list that opened the door.

On April 15th, Barger got the call to return to the big leagues; however, nothing was guaranteed. Early on, he was spot-starting in the outfield or occasionally at third base. And the inconsistent playing time started to show its ugly head. In April, he only logged 28 at-bats, posting a quiet .511 OPS.

Then came another opportunity. On May 9th, Andres Gimenez landed on the IL with a right quad strain. That forced Ernie Clement to shift over to second base, leaving Barger as the lone option at third.

Addison Barger ended the game in style

(MLB x @CoronaUSA) pic.twitter.com/ktloT7PH3t

— MLB (@MLB) June 18, 2025

With consistent playing time, Barger began to shine.

In his next 36 games, he’s looked like a legitimate All-Star. He’s slashing .308/.362/.592 with a .954 OPS, and has launched eight home runs. Stretching that sample size out over a full 162-game season, that’s a 36-homer pace. His statcast numbers feature a ton of red, and he sits in the 95th percentile in bat speed.

And it’s not just individual numbers, during that stretch, the Jays went 23–13, turning their season around and clawing back into the AL East race.

More recently, Barger’s been hitting in the two-spot, sandwiched between Bichette and Guerrero Jr. After his walk-off home run against the Diamondbacks, it feels like the Blue Jays have finally found the left-handed top-of-the-order threat they’ve been missing for years.

Even with Andres Gimenez now back from the IL, Barger’s bat is simply too hot to sit. Manager John Schneider has shifted him into right field for the time being. But wherever he plays, that cannon of an arm plays up. If you’ve seen him throw, it’s no surprise he ranks in the 100th percentile in arm strength. Second only to Oneil Cruz across all of MLB.

Addison Barger's throwing arm can really make people look foolish. #BlueJays

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) June 20, 2025

Addison Barger is the breakout star the Blue Jays have been waiting for. A left-handed power threat with elite bat speed and one of the best arms in the game. He is must watch TV. And the best part? He’s here to stay. Barger won’t even hit free agency until 2031, and he’ll be on a team-friendly salary for the next few seasons.

So, Blue Jays fans, welcome to the future. You might be seeing a lot of Barger and Vladdy going back-to-back for years to come.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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