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The rise of Addison Barger will go a long way for the Blue Jays this season

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation
By Tyson Shushkewich | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 7:00 AM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays are scoring runs at a strong rate. Entering last night’s game, the Jays have scored 172 runs since June 1st, second most in the big leagues behind only the Rays (175) and have produced a a .269 average, ranking third. Those stats are likely to improve their rankings after besting the Chicago White Sox by a score of 8-4 , and one player has been a key factor in this recent surge at the plate.

Addison Barger didn’t break camp with Toronto and it was a questionable decision at the time. The club decided to bring veteran outfielders who could support centre field with Daulton Varsho on the sidelines, and despite Barger’s .367/.429/.733 line this past spring, he was sent to triple-A.

The demotion would be short lived, with the Blue Jays recalling Barger on April 15th. Toronto needed to shake up the lineup admist some scoring woes and were looking for Barger to help with the cuase. The success wasn’t immediate – the lefty-bat collected just five hits through 27 at-bats through April, working to a 1.85/.214/.296 slash line.

But things started to slowly turn around in May – the increased playing time saw Barger start to gain more confidence at the plate. He went 26 for 89 at the plate (.292) and also added four home runs and 12 RBIs, posting a .517 SLG in the month. The good times kept rolling for the Washington product in June, albeit with a decrease average (.239 through 88 at-bats) but he was getting loud contact, with 12 of his 21 hits being for extra bases (five of which were home runs), and he continues to put up good numbers in July. The 25-year-old owns a .391/.440/.870 slash line to start the month, and has already chipped in three more home runs along with 11 RBIs.

Having a 75.9 MPH bat speed is helping his case – he holds the bat like it’s a toothpick at the plate – and he rates in numerous statcast categories (visual was before last night’s game).

Via The Nation Network

Barger’s not perfect – he does strikeout at a 24.2% clip, which is on the high side – and he’s still struggling at times against the LHP pitchers. But the raw power, both at the plate and with his cannon of an arm, are providing the Jays a bat that they likely don’t need to go find on the open market this year. There’s a reason Ross Atkins said the team needs a right-handed bat at the trade deadline – not a left-handed one.

Despite not starting the season with the team and playing sporadically through April, he sits tied with Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in terms of home runs (with over 100 fewer at-bats compared to Bichette). He also ranks first in terms of SLG with his .515 mark.

A big part of the Jays recent success has been Barger and his ability to put the ball in play, and hit the ball a long way as well. His emergence has been a great help for a Jays team that was looking for some power at the plate, and found that internally in a versatile player who can suit up in the corner outfield spots and third base.

Addison Barger

4 HR in his last 8 Games.

12 HR in just 67 Games. pic.twitter.com/GvO7AbTgN0

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 8, 2025

With regular playing time, Barger is even earning some All-Star respect, although he will likely fall a bit short. Regardless, he’s garnered the interest of teams across the league, and the Blue Jays are benefitting from his recent stellar play.

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

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