TORONTO - Addison Barger has played a big part in the Toronto Blue Jays' rise to the top of the American League East division this season.
The 25-year-old utilityman continued his breakout season on Sunday afternoon, going 1 for 4 with a towering two-run home run to help the Blue Jays sweep their three-game series versus the San Francisco Giants with an 8-6 victory. The day prior, Barger notched the first four-hit game of his career, going 4 for 4 with a double.聽
Sunday鈥檚 home run gave Barger 14 on the season, three behind George Springer for the team lead. His .846 OPS ranks second behind Springer as well among Blue Jays hitters with over 100 plate appearances, while his .514 slugging percentage ranks first.聽
鈥淚 think that one went a little farther than 407 (feet),鈥 joked Blue Jays manager John Schneider of Barger鈥檚 home run.聽
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if that鈥檚 what Stat Cast had it at.鈥澛
On a team littered with star power, Schneider says Barger is earning his place among them.聽
鈥淚 think he鈥檚 there,鈥 said Schneider post-game. 鈥淚 think he鈥檚 been there for a while. He鈥檚 playing pretty regularly, he鈥檚 doing a lot of damage, he鈥檚 hitting the ball hard. He鈥檚 usually in the top five (hitters in the lineup). So, yeah, I think he鈥檚 there.鈥
Barger鈥檚 breakout has now led to his manager trusting him, a left-handed batter, to face off against left-handed pitchers, a rarity for a rookie with as little experience as Barger has. With lefty starter Robbie Ray on the mound on Sunday, Barger remained in the starting lineup, batting sixth.聽
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 an approach and having a plan,鈥 Schneider said of Barger facing left-handed pitching. 鈥淪ometimes, it鈥檚 sitting on a pitch. Sometimes, it鈥檚 taking some shots. Sometimes, it鈥檚 letting the ball travel and hitting it a little deep. But I think, with his skills, you trust that something good is going to happen.
鈥淎nd I think, too, with his preparation, that鈥檚 kind of what separated him a little bit. Not being afraid to go against a tough lefty.鈥澛
Barger credits much of his success to Blue Jays hitting coach David Popkins and his staff.聽
鈥淭hey come up with most of the plans,鈥 explained Barger post-game.聽
鈥淲e come up with our own plans based off of reports and video. It鈥檚 a combination of us working with them. And they鈥檙e open to certain things and there鈥檚 a lot of back and forth. So, they鈥檙e extremely important.鈥澛
Now set to host division rival New York Yankees for a three-game series on Monday, the Blue Jays will need Barger to continue his impressive offensive breakout with important divisional implications on the line.聽
This report by 春色直播was first published July 20, 2025.
