MLB Network: 'Anthony Santander will be back with a vengeance for the Blue Jays in 2026'
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds predicts a big comeback season for Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander in 2026.
Santander, 31, signed to a five-year deal worth $92 million last offseason, but 2025 was essentially a bust for him.
He played only 54 regular season games because of a left shoulder injury, hitting .175 with six home runs and 18 RBIs.
This followed up a year in which he had 44 homers and 102 RBIs for the Baltimore Orioles in 2024.
He returned back to the Jays before the end of the regular season, but was taken off the playoff roster in the American League Championship Series because of a back injury.
He returned back to the Jays before the end of the regular season, but was taken off the playoff roster in the American League Championship Series because of a back injury.
A healthy Santander can provide the Blue Jays with middle of the order power
MLB Network analyst Harold Reynolds believes now that Santander has had some time to actually heal up, he will return to form in 2026.
"We did not see Anthony this year healthy, we had a chance to see a glimpse of him, but not the guy we saw in Baltimore. I don't think the 44 homers was a fluke. I've watched this guy work, I've watched this guy hit, and I'm telling you he will come back next year with a vengeance. He can really...really...hit. I think he will have a big year next year for the Toronto Blue Jays."
Santander is a .241 career hitter with 161 homers and 160 doubles. A one-time All-Star, he has three seasons of 28 home runs or more.
If Santander is able to stay healthy and recapture his offensive form, he would provide the Blue Jays with the middle of the order power bat they need for the upcoming season.
With Spring Training in February coupled with playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic in March, Santander will hit the ground running by the time opening day rolls around.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 20 | 518 ANSWERS MLB Network: 'Anthony Santander will be back with a vengeance for the Blue Jays in 2026' Do you think Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander will have comeback year in 2026? | ||
| Yes | 249 | 48.1 % |
| No | 158 | 30.5 % |
| Too early to tell | 111 | 21.4 % |
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