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One stat to be excited about for every Blue Jays hitter heading into 2026
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Photo credit: © Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Ben Wrixon
Feb 21, 2026, 17:00 ESTUpdated: Feb 21, 2026, 15:04 EST
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Baseball is all about the statistics—especially when it comes to hitting. From batting average to wOBA, there is no shortage of ways to analyze a hitter’s ability to hit a round ball with a wooden bat.
The Toronto Blue Jays were great at doing exactly that last season by just about every metric, and figure to be strong again in 2026. 
Here’s one stat for each Blue Jay from last year to get excited about: 
Addison Barger – 91.7 mph average exit velocity
Barger is a big guy, and it shows whenever he makes contact with the ball. He has the kind of raw power most hitters can only dream of at the plate. A 30-home run season is absolutely within reach if he continues to refine his aggressive approach. 
Alejandro Kirk: 50.8% hard-hit rate
Kirk got back to hitting the ball hard in 2025 after two consecutive down years. He should be in for another strong season now that he’s back to hitting with authority.
Andrés Giménez – .253 AVG with RISP
Giménez had a rough time at the plate in 2025 but often delivered when it mattered most. His .253 batting average with runners in scoring position was far better than without, giving him value as someone who can execute in the clutch. 
Daulton Varsho – .494 expected slugging percentage
Varsho hit a ridiculous 20 home runs in just 71 games in 2025. He probably isn’t going to hit 50 home runs in 2026, but his expected slugging percentage from last season suggests his real clip (.548) wasn’t a mirage. There is a real thump in his bat. 
Davis Schneider – 15.9% walk rate 
Schneider doesn’t get a ton of hits, but he sure can work a walk. He was tied for sixth on the Blue Jays with 36 free passes last year despite having just 227 plate appearances.
Ernie Clement – 30 hits in the postseason
Clement set the MLB record for hits in a single playoff run last October — if that doesn’t bode well for 2026, then what does? He’s a scrappy hitter with an uncanny ability to get the bat on the ball. Expect plenty more bloops, flares, and line drives out of him.
George Springer – .959 OPS
Springer put together arguably the best season of his career in 2025 despite turning 36 years old in September. While he isn’t likely to be an MVP candidate again this season, there’s nothing lucky about a .959 OPS—the changes he made led to real improvement. 
Jesús Sánchez – 75.9 mph bat speed
Sánchez swings the bat harder than just about anybody in baseball; his bat speed ranked in the 93rd percentile in 2025. He’s a serious breakout candidate. 
Kazuma Okamoto – 248 home runs in Japan
Okamoto was one of Japan’s most prolific sluggers over the course of his storied career in Nippon Professional Baseball. He’s already making a strong first impression in Spring Training and could be an immediate contributor for the Blue Jays.
Myles Straw – 29.4 mph sprint speed 
Straw is the Blue Jays’ fastest runner by a wide margin; his sprint speed ranked in the 95th percentile in 2025. Every team needs a blazing-fast pinch runner. 
Nathan Lukes – 65 RBI
Lukes is a rock-solid ballplayer. He always seemed to come up with big hits when the Blue Jays needed them in 2025, and finished the year sixth on the team in RBIs. 
Tyler Heineman – 2.1 fWAR
Heineman was a valuable all-around contributor in 2025. He hit well in a small sample size while playing good defence behind the plate. Most general managers would be hard-pressed to find a more reliable backup catcher. 
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.: 8 home runs in 18 games
Guerrero authored a postseason for the ages in 2025 after a disappointing regular season by his lofty standards. He shook off any playoff demons that previously haunted him, firmly establishing himself as a superstar. A monster 2026 season feels inevitable.

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