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Blue Jays 40-man Roster Review: Addison Barger is one of numerous in-house options the team can use for third base
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Photo credit: © Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Ryley Delaney
Jan 23, 2025, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 23, 2025, 06:41 EST
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The big question this off-season is whether or not the Toronto Blue Jays sign a third baseman this off-season.
This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual 40-man Roster Review, where we look at the players on the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster. We’ll look at how the player performed in 2024, his season projections for the 2025 season, and any storylines heading into this coming season. In this article, we’ll look at Addison Barger.
Looking at in-house options for the third baseman spot, Barger may be one of the best options. The sixth-round pick in 2018 broke out in 2022 with between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A, slashing .308/.378/.555 with 26 home runs in 526 plate appearances, with a 9.1 BB% and a 24.9 K% for a 151 wRC+, quickly becoming a top Blue Jays prospect.
The 2023 season didn’t go as well for the Florida native, as he had a/.246/.353/.392 slash line with nine home runs in 419 plate appearances, mostly in Triple-A, as he dealt with an injury early in the season.
Barger’s 2024 season saw him return to form, at least with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He slashed .260/.391/.466 with nine home runs in 249 plate appearances, with a 16.1 BB% and a 19.3 K% for a 128 wRC+. His tenure with the big league team wasn’t as good though, as the third baseman/outfielder slashed .197/.250/.351 with seven home runs in 225 plate appearances for a 70 wRC+ and a -0.3.
With that being said, there are positives to take away from the 2024 season in the big leagues. His first couple of stints didn’t go well with Toronto, posting a measly 8 wRC+ in 66 plate appearances. However, he became a regular around the trade deadline and finished the season slashing .214/.277/.414 with seven home runs in 159 plate appearances for a 95 wRC+.
Barger’s third base defence is a mixed bag. Last season, he finished with 2 Defensive Runs Saved and a -5 Outs Above Average in 256.1 innings. In right field, he had 2 DRS and 0 OAA in 174 innings. The bat needs to do well, but he’ll have a shot to earn a permanent spot on the Jays in Spring Training if they don’t add from the outside.
As for his Fangraphs’ projections, Steamer has him slashing .236/.310/.399 with six home runs in 182 plate appearances, with a 103 wRC+ and a 0.6 fWAR. Similarly, OOPSY has the 25-year-old left-handed batter slashing .225/.296/.396 with seven home runs in 196 plate appearances, while ATC has him slashing .227/.296/.379 with six home runs in 217 plate appearances for a 93 wRC+ and a 0.4 fWAR.
With all that being said, competition for third base will be fierce. Orelvis Martínez is another good option, while Ernie Clement has also shown he can produce at a good level at the hot corner. That doesn’t even mention the Jays could end up signing a third baseman, as they’ve been linked to Yoán Moncada this off-season. Who knows if Barger will even get an opportunity.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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