{"id":105737,"date":"2025-08-10T01:11:03","date_gmt":"2025-08-10T05:11:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=105737"},"modified":"2025-08-10T01:11:03","modified_gmt":"2025-08-10T05:11:03","slug":"blue-jays-gain-offensive-boost-addison-barger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/08\/10\/blue-jays-gain-offensive-boost-addison-barger\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Jays Have Gained Offensive Boost from Breakout Player"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Addison Barger has continued to remain hot at the plate for the Toronto Blue Jays. In his last seven games, he has batted .310 with 8 RBI and two home runs. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bargead01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-10_br\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Barger<\/a> has transformed into one of the team&#8217;s bigger offensive threats since the start of this season.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">From almost not making the roster to being a threat at the plate, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/07\/06\/blue-jays-addison-barger-breaking-out-utility-player\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Barger<\/a> has broken out in his utility role with the Blue Jays.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_103566\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-103566\" style=\"width: 484px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-103566\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26493067_168400885_lowres-300x214.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"484\" height=\"345\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26493067_168400885_lowres-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26493067_168400885_lowres-1024x732.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26493067_168400885_lowres-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26493067_168400885_lowres-1536x1098.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/07\/USATSI_26493067_168400885_lowres-2048x1463.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 484px) 100vw, 484px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-103566\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Jun 19, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Addison Barger (47) runs to home plate to score a run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Addison Barger Continues Making Offensive Impact for Blue Jays<\/h2>\n<h3>Barger&#8217;s Power Potential<\/h3>\n<p>Barger has shown more power in his second season. This has been highlighted by a higher slugging percentage and more home runs. His raw power has always been evident, with impressive exit velocities and bat speed.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Blue Jays Addison Barger is batting .419 with runners in scoring position since July 1<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/LightsUpLetsGo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#LightsUpLetsGo<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TTuYmCXDa3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/TTuYmCXDa3<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SNstats\/status\/1954009465717719322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 9, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Barger&#8217;s hard-hit rate ranks in the 96th percentile, and his bat speed is in the 93rd percentile.\u00a0 However, his ability to translate that power into consistent production has improved a lot this season. A controlled and selective approach at the plate has helped him.\u00a0<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"aad58fde-3d51-40ab-89ae-af58fefbbc88\"><span class=\"UV3uM\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Other Areas Barger Has Excelled This Season<\/h3>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">Barger has already hit 17 home runs this season, putting him close to the team lead.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"4ceeb3d3-b0e5-4a63-b5c4-962944cb497c\"><span class=\"UV3uM\"> He barely trails teammates <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/04\/07\/kyle-tucker-next-big-free-agent-cubs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/springe01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2025-08-10_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">George Springer<\/a>, who each have 18. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"4ceeb3d3-b0e5-4a63-b5c4-962944cb497c\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">Barger has hit behind Vladdy in the lineup, and it\u2019s worked out well for the Blue Jays.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<h4 class=\"Gur8Ad\"><strong>Improved Slugging Percentage<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">\n<p>His .514 slugging percentage leads all Blue Jays hitters with over 100 plate appearances, indicating a stronger ability to hit for extra bases.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"e76a5636-33d3-4dcb-b453-d78ff25fccb7\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"e76a5636-33d3-4dcb-b453-d78ff25fccb7\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc qVhvac OJeuxf\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CCMQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjNyKzRn_-OAxUSpIkEHQmKAEIQ3fYKegQIIxAB\">\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><strong>Controlled Aggression<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">Barger is an aggressive hitter who is making better swing decisions this season. This has provided him with more balls in play and fewer strikeouts.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"9b974cb8-d671-4f89-8ee6-0da7849fc45a\"><span class=\"UV3uM\"> It has been compelling to see Barger remaining aggressive but laying off certain pitches that he would normally swing at. His strikeout rate has dropped from 26.7% in 2024 to 24.8% in 2025. If he can continue to work on his strikeout rate, this will showcase the adjustments he is continuing to make at the plate.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<h4 class=\"Gur8Ad\"><strong>Higher Exit Velocity<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div>Barger&#8217;s exit velocity remains among the league&#8217;s best, demonstrating his raw power.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"d03f376f-46e0-4c9a-94a9-f9e119ec031f\"><span class=\"UV3uM\"> This season, he\u2019s sporting an average exit velocity of \u00a093.1 mph, ranking in the 94th percentile.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"d03f376f-46e0-4c9a-94a9-f9e119ec031f\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc qVhvac OJeuxf\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CBoQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjNyKzRn_-OAxUSpIkEHQmKAEIQ3fYKegQIGhAB\">\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"kHtcsd\"><strong>Better Plate Discipline<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/05\/12\/blue-jays-addison-barger-demonstrating-offensive-impact\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Barger<\/a> is showing improved plate discipline. He\u2019s been swinging at strikes more while laying off more pitches outside the zone. This has permitted him to get into better<\/div>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">hitting counts.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"5ec6b732-a143-41bb-b545-e346cf686a4b\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"zMgcWd dSKvsb\" data-il=\"\">\n<div data-crb-p=\"\">\n<div class=\"xFTqob\">\n<h4 class=\"Gur8Ad\"><strong>Raw Power<\/strong><\/h4>\n<div class=\"vM0jzc\">\n<p>He is consistently hitting the ball hard, with some of his hits reaching exit velocities of over 115 mph.<span class=\"pjBG2e\" data-cid=\"bd243e9d-8187-45b0-b983-37473e6deb69\"><span class=\"UV3uM\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"NPrrbc\" data-cid=\"bd243e9d-8187-45b0-b983-37473e6deb69\">\n<div class=\"BMebGe btku5b fCrZyc LwdV0e FR7ZSc qVhvac OJeuxf\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"View related links\" data-hveid=\"CCYQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjNyKzRn_-OAxUSpIkEHQmKAEIQ3fYKegQIJhAB\">\n<div class=\"niO4u\">\n<h3 class=\"kHtcsd\">Last Word on Barger<\/h3>\n<div>Last season, Barger&#8217;s raw power was not what you would call effective. It has converted into offensive production, whereas his struggles last season with plate discipline and swing decisions were apparent.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"WaaZC\">\n<div class=\"RJPOee EIJn2\">\n<div data-hveid=\"CDMQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjNyKzRn_-OAxUSpIkEHQmKAEIQo_EKegQIMxAB\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"rPeykc\" data-hveid=\"CDMQAQ\" data-ved=\"2ahUKEwjNyKzRn_-OAxUSpIkEHQmKAEIQo_EKegQIMxAB\">This year, he has shown a revamped offensive capability with a more refined approach at the plate. His four intentional walks in 2025 show he&#8217;s becoming a more feared hitter around the league. If he continues to hit the way he has, Barger will remain an offensive weapon who deserves to be in the lineup every day.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Addison Barger has continued to remain hot at the plate for the Toronto Blue Jays. In his last seven games, he has batted .310 with 8 RBI and two home runs. Barger has transformed into one of the team&#8217;s bigger offensive threats since the start of this season. From almost not making the roster to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4831,"featured_media":103568,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,1071,35],"tags":[28344,548,640],"class_list":["post-105737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bluejays","category-mlb","category-news","tag-addison-barger","tag-george-springer","tag-vladimir-guerrero-jr"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4831"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105737"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":105740,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105737\/revisions\/105740"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/103568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}