Toronto Blue Jays 2025 Hitter of the Year

The Toronto Blue Jays ended the season as AL East champions for the first time since 2015, securing the league's top seed. They earned a bye through the Wild Card round and await either the Boston Red Sox or the New York Yankees in the ALDS. Success required contributions from many, but some hitters truly stood out. Here's an overview of this year's key offensive performers.

Honorable Mentions
Alejandro Kirk - .282/.348/.421 with 15 home runs, 45 runs, 76 RBIs, and 111 wRC+
Kirk had a career season in 2025, setting personal highs in home runs and RBIs. He played in 130 games and was one of the most consistent catchers both in the field and at the plate, tying his career high fWAR (4.3). In the final regular-season game, he contributed significantly to clinching the AL East, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and six RBIs.

Kirk was consistent at the plate all season long. With men in scoring position, he had 145 plate appearances, hitting .311/.379/.410 with a .789 OPS and a 119 wRC+, producing 54 RBIs. Kirk has shown why he deserved the extension he signed in March.

Addison Barger - .243/.301/.454 with 21 home runs, 61 runs, 74 RBIs, and 104 wRC+
Barger's second MLB season was a roller coaster. His production fluctuated by month, but he struggled in the second half, slashing .218/.280/.374 with a .655 OPS and an 81 wRC+. Despite these challenges, Barger was depended on consistently, as early injuries to Daulton Varsho and Anthony Santander required the 25-year-old to blossom sooner than expected. The future is bright for Barger, but more consistent production throughout the season will be needed.

Daulton Varsho - .238/.284/.548 with 20 home runs, 43 runs, 55 RBIs, and a 123 wRC+
Varsho is on the honorable mention list because of how amazing this season could have been if he hadn't had injury issues. He had seven fewer home runs than his career high (27) in 2022, despite having 283 fewer plate appearances. If Varsho could have played a full season, then we likely would have seen a massive campaign from the 29-year-old.

He started the year on the injury list, recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. He then returned on April 29 before landing back on the injured list on May 31 with a hamstring injury. After missing two months, he returned on August 1. Following his return, he slashed .256/.310/.551 with 12 home runs, 29 runs, 35 knocked in, an .861 OPS, and a 134 wRC+. Varsho has one year of arbitration left before free agency, but other contracts may be a higher priority for the Blue Jays this offseason.

#3 Bo Bichette - .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs, 78 runs, 94 RBIs, and a 134 wRC+
Bichette has been the focus of extension talks throughout the season. Despite speculation about his future, the shortstop delivered one of his most productive years, setting a career high in doubles (44) and almost matching his RBI total from 2021 (94). His home run power dipped, but he improved at getting on base.

His batting average tied the career high he set in his rookie campaign (2019), while his on-base percentage slightly trailed his OBP from the same season (.358). Bichette has been out since suffering a knee sprain on September 6. Before the AL East clinching win, manager John Schneider said the shortstop was hitting in the cage and doing soft toss and tee work, but no timetable has been given. It's possible he returns as a designated hitter to mitigate the strain on his knee, which could allow for a stronger infield defense, whether it's Ernie Clement or Andrés Giménez playing shortstop.

#2 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - .292/.381/.467, with 23 home runs, 96 runs, 84 RBIs, and a 137 wRC+
Guerrero faced questions about his contract status early in the season, which may have contributed to his slow start at the plate. He signed a significant extension (14 years, $500 million) on April 7, but he didn't hit his first home run until his 18th game on April 16.

The face of the franchise produced his lowest home run and RBI numbers since the COVID-shortened 2020 season, but recorded his second-most walks and fewest strikeouts. He also performed well with runners in scoring position, slashing .307/.429/.486 with a .915 OPS, 149 wRC+, and driving in 58 runs. Only four of his home runs came in these situations. The outlook remains bright for Guerrero and the Blue Jays.

#1 George Springer - .309/.399/.560 with 32 home runs, 106 runs, 84 RBIs, and a 166 wRC+
The biggest surprise this season came from Springer. While his offensive production had been declining for years, the 36-year-old set career highs in batting average and wRC+. He also had his best home run, RBI, and fWAR (5.2) numbers since his 2019 Silver Slugger season with the Houston Astros. Springer peaked during the second half as the Blue Jays competed for the AL East title, slashing .369/.454/.667 with a 1.121 OPS and 210 wRC+.

Springer also set two franchise records this season. On September 2, he hit his 23rd leadoff home run over his five seasons with the Blue Jays, passing Devon White's 22 that he hit over five seasons (1991-1995). Then on September 25, Springer hit his 31st home run of the season, which broke a franchise single-season record for home runs by a player 35 or older. This record was previously held by Blue Jays' legend Joe Carter, who hit 30 home runs in 1996 in his age-36 season.

Springer is under contract through 2026, but given his age, he may not be a long-term option. Next season's production will determine if he returns in 2027 on a short-term contract or becomes a free agent.