"Addison Barger's first year with the Blue Jays did not get off to a strong start. In 69 games, he slashed .197/.250/.351 with an OPS of .601 with seven home runs and 28 RBIs. His value was also a concern, with a fWAR of -0.3 and a wRC+ of 69."
"Then 2025 came, and Barger looked like a completely different player. Playing 135 games, Barger improved his 2024 slash line to .243/.201/.454 with an OPS of .754. His offensive totals also shot up, as he had 21 home runs with 71 RBIs. The value? His fWAR jumped to 2.2, and his wRC+ rose to 107."
"He capped off his big year with the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history in Game 1 of the Fall Classic against the Los Angeles Dodgers."
"After hitting the light pole with that grand slam, Barger spoke with Rogers Sportnet's broadcast crew, and made it clear what the Blue Jays need to do in 2026: 'We want to win the World Series. That's the expectation.'"
Addison Barger emerged as a key contributor to the Toronto Blue Jays' 2025 World Series run after a disappointing 2024 debut. In his first full season, Barger struggled with a .197 batting average and negative WAR. However, 2025 marked a dramatic turnaround, as he played 135 games and posted a .243 average with 21 home runs and 71 RBIs, significantly improving his offensive value metrics. Barger's season peaked with a historic pinch-hit grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers. Entering 2026 Spring Training, Barger remains focused on winning the championship, emphasizing gym work as essential to his preparation.
Read at Jays Journal
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