Toronto 3B/RF Addison Barger is everything the Blue Jays wanted in Matt Chapman and more
Photo credit: https://www.yardbarker.com/
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman / right fielder Addison Barger has been turning heads in the American League and now the National League.
When Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Addison Barger went back to back in Sunday's 5-4 win over the virtual All-Star team, that is referred to as the Los Angeles Dodgers.
I had a sudden flashback of when Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson went back to back on a semi-regular basis.
I found myself standing out of my chair clenching my teeth and fist with a loud resounding YES! Which honestly doesn't happen very often with me these days.
Dodger fans and players alike must've been like, who is this Barger kid? How come I've never heard of him before?
Vlad Jr & Bam Bam Barger go back to back against the Dodgers! #LetsGoBlueJays 🍁
Like myself, Blue Jays fans have been enjoying Addison Barger's breakout season since the middle of May.
The 25-year-old left-handed hitter has been one of the best and most consistent hitters since the Blue Jays took off as a team.
In May, he slashed .292/.370/.517 with four home runs and 12 RBIs. He added five home runs in June, despite some of his other numbers taking a dip.
But in July, he his six home runs and slugged .568. That power production has continued into August with three home runs and a .559 SLG.
Addison Barger continues his breakout 2025 season:
360 PA | 25 2B | 18 HR | 59 RBI | .267/.318/.511 | .829 OPS | .243 ISO | 125 wRC+ #LetsGoBlueJays #GoJaysGo 🍁
360 PA | 25 2B | 18 HR | 59 RBI | .267/.318/.511 | .829 OPS | .243 ISO | 125 wRC+ #LetsGoBlueJays #GoJaysGo 🍁
His 54.2% hard-hit rate is a 16-point jump from his 2024 rookie year and ranks in the 96th percentile of MLB this season.
His .510 slugging percentage and .829 OPS are also much better than his 2024 totals (.351 and .601, respectively).
He racked up 18 extra-base hits in 225 plate appearances last season; he has 43 XBHs in 351 PAs this season.
But when the Blue Jays are hot, Barger is a big part of why they are. Toronto is 69-50 through August 10, and Barger has appeared in 57 of their wins.
In those 57 games, Barger has hit 12 home runs,, driven in 42 runs, scored 41 runs and has a .919 OPS. plus a .340 BAbip.
Addison Barger is everything the Blue Jays wanted in Matt Chapman but couldn't get
When the Blue Jays acquired Matt Chapman in a trade for prospects in 2022, the got a platinum glove third baseman with some pop.
In his final season in Toronto Chapman played 140 games and had 581 plate appearances. He had 122 hits, 39 doubles, 2 Triples, 17 Home runs, 54 RBI, 4 Stolen Bases, 62 walks and 165 Strike outs.
Chapman signed a three-year contract worth $54 million dollars with the San Francisco Giant in 2024.
Let's compare Matt Chapman's numbers and value with Addison Barger's so far in 2025
This year with the Giants so far Chapman has played 94 games and had 396 plate appearances. He had 78 hits, 25 doubles, 2 Triples, 16 Home runs, 44 RBI, 7 Stolen Bases, 51 walks and 98 strike outs. He has a .338 OBP, .428 SLG, .766 OPS and a 121 OPS+
Here are Addison Barger's numbers so far this year with the Blue Jays:
Barger has played 95 games and had 333 plate appearances. He had 89 hits, 25 doubles, 1 Triple, 18 Home runs, 59 RBI, 3 Stolen Bases, 23 walks and 90 strike outs. He has a .318 OBP, .511 SLG, .828 OPS and a 125 OPS+
Now lets face it Barger is not a platinum glover like Chapman (yet), however he's a darn good defender at third with a rocket for an arm.
Let's not forget his versatility too, he plays right field and holds runners to singles, or throws them out if they test him, again because of his cannon for an arm.
Personally I like him better at third base, he is a little more stable there and probably less prone to injury instead of the outfield.
While the offensive numbers are better for Barger so far this year, Chapman has the edge defensively.
However, Chapman does not have the edge in age, versatility or value.
32-year old Matt Chapman makes $18 million a year, 25-year old Addison Barger makes $760,000 a year.
With that being said, the overall comparison definitely goes to Addison Barger.
More importantly Barger plays for the the Toronto Blue Jays
| POLL | ||
AOUT 11 | 217 ANSWERS Toronto 3B/RF Addison Barger is everything the Blue Jays wanted in Matt Chapman and more Do you like Addison Barger better as a third baseman or a right fielder? | ||
| Third baseman | 113 | 52.1 % |
| Right fielder | 54 | 24.9 % |
| Both, i like the vesatility | 50 | 23 % |
| List of polls | ||
