Toronto Blue Jays will have to get creative with Davis Schneider in 2026
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays may need to get creative with their lineup if they want to keep infielder/outfielder Davis Schneider consistently in the mix moving forward.
Like several of his teammates, Davis Schneider bounced back in a big way after a brutal 2024 season.
In just 227 plate appearances last year, he launched 11 home runs and posted a strong .797 OPS, good for a 119 OPS+.
His plate discipline stood out as well, as his 15.9% walk rate led the team, albeit in a relatively small sample.
That said, Schneider’s offensive profile isn’t without flaws. He hit just .234, and his expected batting average sat at .188, suggesting some good fortune and the potential for regression.
He also struck out at a 26.4% clip, which is worse than league average. Even so, he still managed to produce a 127 wRC+, underscoring his overall effectiveness at the plate.
If ABS allows Schneider to control the zone more (don't be fooled - Schneider is an ABS savant - one of the best in AAA last yr, he will be allowed to challenge), maybe it will bring out more of the '23 Schneider we all loved to watch.
Schneider’s uphill battle for playing time in 2026 has more to do with roster construction than individual performance
Many of his opportunities in 2025 came while Anthony Santander was sidelined, but that window may be closing.
If healthy, Santander is expected to play every day. The Blue Jays committed $92.5 million to him and will be relying heavily on his bat following Bo Bichette’s departure in free agency.
Santander is likely to settle into left field if George Springer returns to a full-time designated hitter role, an alignment that complicates matters for Schneider, who has spent much of the past two seasons playing left field himself.
As a result, the Blue Jays will have to think outside the box to keep Schneider’s bat in the lineup.
At the moment, there’s no obvious path to regular playing time on paper. The roster is deep enough that any lineup decision inevitably leaves a deserving player on the bench.
When Schneider plays, someone else who arguably should be playing will be sitting.
Ultimately, Schneider’s defensive versatility should help him carve out opportunities, but he’ll need to capitalize on them.
If he does, he may be able to force the Blue Jays’ hand and earn a more consistent role in an increasingly crowded lineup in 2026.
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| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 8|120 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays will have to get creative with Davis Schneider in 2026 Do you think Davis Schneider is an everyday player for the Toronto Blue Jays? | ||
| Yes | 51 | 42.5 % |
| No | 33 | 27.5 % |
| Bench bat | 15 | 12.5 % |
| Platoon player at best | 21 | 17.5 % |
| List of polls | ||