logo
Brett Bateman discusses his first big-league hit ‘just trying to get the barrel on the ball’
alt
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Michael Coyle
Oct 8, 2026, 11:00 EDTUpdated: Oct 7, 2026, 22:13 EDT
Comments
The Toronto Blue Jays’ offence received a spark when they inserted Brett Bateman into their lineup on a regular basis. 
In a year in which so much went wrong for the club on the offensive side of the ball, Bateman was one of the few Blue Jays who provided excitement for fans with the high level of consistency in his at-bats. 
On Wednesday, Bateman joined the 6ix Inning Stretch Podcast with Lindsay Dunn and Whit Merrifield to discuss his first major league plate appearance, his plan for the offseason, and what went into his first two career MLB home runs. 
After being acquired from the Chicago Cubs on August 2, Bateman had his contract selected on August 7. Later that evening, Bateman was slotted in ninth in the lineup and was set to square off with three-time All-Star Zack Wheeler in the series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies. 
Bateman ended up going 1-for-2 with a double and two walks during the Blue Jays’ 5-4 victory over the Phillies. Squaring off with Wheeler, who holds a lifetime 3.26 ERA, is a daunting task for a rookie, especially in a debut, but Bateman went up with a simple approach against the right-hander, which resulted in a double to left field. 
“I’m a rookie and it was towards the end of the year, so I knew I was probably going to get a first pitch heater,” Bateman said. “I was just focused on that and trying to get the barrel on the ball. I wasn’t trying to swing hard at all, I was just trying to get the foot down and be on time because it’s a good heater.”
A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Bateman returned home following the completion of the Blue Jays’ 2026 campaign. After appearing in 41 games with the Blue Jays down the stretch, in which he batted .329, Bateman plans to use this winter to get healthy as he embarks on his first full season at the big-league level. 
“I’m planning on going to Dunedin to see the facility, get to know some of the people, and find out more about the area,” Bateman said. “I’m going to figure out a plan when it comes to rehab for some of the nagging things I had at the end of the year, like my hip, knees, and wrist. I’m just trying to stay ahead of the curve.”
On September 11 and 12, during a weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles, Bateman homered in back-to-back games, flashing some pop that the 24-year-old previously hadn’t displayed. 
Bateman’s first home run came during the bottom of the ninth off Orioles reliever Alex Hoppe, and while he wasn’t sure he got that one, he knew his one the following day off right-hander Kyle Bradish was a no-doubter. 
“I knew Bradish was going to give me something good. That’s kind of been the report, at least how I felt when I got called up. It’s just like, throw this kid strikes and if he hits a single it’s whatever,” Bateman said. “So, I just wanted to be a little bit more aggressive and he gave me something I definitely could do damage on. I was able to get out in front of 95 [MPH], so I knew I got that one.”
Sponsored by bet365
News
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News