Better Know Your Blue Jays 40-Man: Addison Barger

Addison Barger was added to the Jays’ 40-man in November 2022 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. He’s 26 and, in two seasons, he’s played 204 games for the Blue Jays, with a .229/.286/.422 line and 28 home runs.

In 2025, he split time between third and right field, playing 91 games at third and 57 in right field. This year? Well, that’s the question, isn’t it?

With the signing of Kazuma Okamoto, there is likely to be less time available for Addison at that position. If the Jays were to sign Kyle Tucker there likely won’t be a lot of playing time available in right field. Even if they don’t sign Tucker, the team has they have George Springer and Anthony Santander who would (likely) be sharing an outfield spot and DH. He could end up platooning with Ernie Clement at second base, unless the team signs Bo Bichette.

Such is the life of a young baseball player. You can be a top prospect (he was #3 on our top 40 prospect list before the 2024 season), who has 28 home runs in your first 204 games. You can be a playoff hero, hitting .367/.441/.583 with 3 home runs in 17 playoff games, and yet the team could still try to upgrade at your position.

Barger hasn’t played second in the majors and only had 52 games there in the minors. I’m not sure he has the quickness you’d like in that position. And it would be a waste of his best weapon on defense, his arm. But, Barger has been much better vs RHP (.249/.308/.480) than LHP (.217/.270/.337) in his career, so he and Clement are a good paring. I’d like to see him get more playing time against lefties to see if he could get to where he is reasonable against them. I’m doubting it happens this year.

Steamer thinks Barger will play in 99 games with a .249/.319/.451 line and 17 home runs and a 1.7 fWAR. Of course, Steamer (like the rest of us) doesn’t know if the Jays will be signing Tucker or not.

I wonder who will be the better player over the next four years, Barger or Okamoto….maybe that would make a good poll.