Three unexpected athletes propelling the Blue Jays to lead in Major League Alabama's rankings
The Toronto Blue Jays have defied expectations this season, leading the AL East with a 73-53 record, thanks in part to the unexpected contributions of several key players.
One such player is Addison Barger, who has transformed from a raw rookie into a legitimate middle-of-the-lineup threat. Barger, who plays both third base and right field, has put up impressive numbers this season with a .262/.312/.493 batting line. Against righties, he's been even better, posting a .267/.316/.523 line.
Despite some room for improvement in terms of expanding the zone and having a high chase rate (32.7%), Barger's average exit velocity of 92.7 mph, bat speed of 75.8 mph, and high pulled air rate (22.4%) have made him a force to be reckoned with. His strong arm, with an average competitive throw of 97.3 mph, has also been a valuable asset in the field[2][4].
Another unexpected contributor has been Eric Lauer, who was signed to a minor-league contract in December. Lauer has been a revelation for the Blue Jays, posting a 2.76 ERA in 88 innings. As a left-handed reliever, he's offered strong long-relief options for the bullpen, complementing the rotation led by José Berríos, Kevin Gausman, and Chris Bassitt. Lauer's ability to be a multi-inning weapon and make spot starts due to his bullpen experience has been invaluable[1][4].
Brendon Little has also been a pivotal set-up reliever, helping stabilize the bullpen in high-leverage situations. With nearly 100 innings under his belt, Little has been a crucial piece in the Blue Jays' bullpen, supporting closer Jeff Hoffman despite some challenges[1][4].
Despite a disappointing offseason that saw several high-profile players pass on the Blue Jays, these out-of-nowhere contributors—along with internal improvements like backup catcher Tyler Heineman’s surprising offensive output—have helped Toronto surge atop the AL East. The Blue Jays' turnaround is credited to leveraging existing talent and pragmatic roster decisions rather than relying on marquee offseason signings[1][2][3].
With a league-best home record and a passionate fanbase, the Blue Jays are positioned as a strong division favorite and postseason contender[1][4]. The Rogers Centre has become a fortress for the team, and with stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer leading the way, the Blue Jays look poised for a deep playoff run.
[1] https://www.mlb.com/blue-jays/news/blue-jays-addison-barger-providing-impactful-performances-beyond-team-s-star-signings [2] https://www.mlb.com/blue-jays/news/blue-jays-eric-lauer-provides-strong-long-relief-options [3] https://www.mlb.com/blue-jays/news/blue-jays-brendon-little-pivotal-set-up-reliever [4] https://www.mlb.com/blue-jays/news/blue-jays-surge-atop-al-east-with-73-53-record
Read also:
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
