Toronto Blue Jays slugger Addison Barger's incredible spring indicates he is ready for next step
Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Toronto Blue Jays slugger Addison Barger is embracing his key role in club's 2026 plans.
Toronto Blue Jays slugger Addison Barger is expected to play a significant role for the club in 2026, and he's welcoming the opportunity.
Barger powered Toronto to a 5-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday in a split-squad spring training game at TD Ballpark, launching a solo home run and adding a two-run single.
The 26-year-old opened the scoring in the second inning with his second homer of the spring.
ADDISON BARGER BOMB OFF THE SCOREBOARD 😤
He later delivered again in the third, driving in George Springer and Nathan Lukes with a two-run single to extend the Blue Jays' lead to 3-0.
Stay hot, Addison Barger 🥵
Barger improving vs left-handed pitching heading into the regular season
One of the more intriguing developments from Barger's performance was where the home run landed.
The blast went to the opposite field - something he had never done in a major-league, postseason, or even spring training game before.
The homer also came against a left-handed pitcher, Bryan Sammons of the Tigers. Barger followed that up in his next plate appearance with the two-run single off another left-hander, further highlighting progress he's been working toward.
After the game, Barger spoke with Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith about how his swing has felt during the early part of spring training.
«It feels good,» Barger said. «Right now it's mostly about getting back into games and building up reps. I'm focused on getting ready more than anything. I'm not thinking too much about my swing yet since I haven't had a lot of at-bats.»
Late last season, Barger made a small mechanical adjustment during the postseason that helped him make more consistent contact against left-handed pitching, an area that had previously challenged him.
Early signs this spring suggest those improvements are carrying over
The Blue Jays are expected to rely on Barger against left-handers more often this season, while he continues to split his defensive duties between right field and third base.
During the opening days of spring training, Toronto's coaching staff made it a point to give opportunities against left-handed pitching to hitters like Barger and fellow left-handed batter Daulton Varsho as part of their preparation for the upcoming season.
So far, Barger says he's enjoying the challenge.
«It's nice to get thrown into the fire a little bit,» he said.
With Toronto looking to contend in 2026, Barger appears poised to be a central piece in the team's plans.
On the mound, Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman allowed three hits over 3 1/3 innings while striking out three.
In the club's other split-squad game Sunday, Toronto edged the Baltimore Orioles 1-0.
Jesus Sanchez drove in Arjun Nimmala in the third inning for the game's only run, while starter Cody Ponce delivered three hitless innings for the Blue Jays.
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