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The reason for Addison Barger's success finally revealed
Photo credit: Streets of Toronto
Addison Barger had an easy to forget MLB rookie season for the Toronto Blue Jays, this year quite the contrary can be said.
Barger's game has taken such a big step this season that even that even Blue Jays legend Jose Bautista pointed out during an interview how well he has been playing.
Addison Barger can now handle Major League velocity.
The young utility man struggled hard with baseball's "easiest pitch to hit" but this year all of that has changed as his considerable improvement is mostly due to his new familiarity with fastballs.
Kenneth Teape of Toronto Blue Jays SI reports that Barger's success this season is all due to his success with fastballs.
"What also helps is that he is now producing at the plate. He is someone who needs to be in the lineup every day, one way or another, because of how impactful he has become. Through 102 games and 383 plate appearances, he produced a .262/.312/.493 slash line. Barger has an OPS+ of 118. He has hit 18 home runs and 26 doubles, knocking in 59 runs."-Teape
Not only does he contribute at the plate but on the defensive side he can play third base and right field, that kind of versatility is a dream to have for manager John Schneider.
His newfound ease with the heater was best depicted recently when he went up against the best pitcher in the league Paul Skenes.
"Barger roped a 115.8 mph single against the wall off a 98 mph pitch. It was the hardest hit that Skenes has had recorded against him thus far in his MLB career. For the Toronto slugger, it was the second hardest ball he has contacted."-Teape
If that's not enough evidence last year he finished the season 0.197 batting average and this season he's at 0.262. If his improvement remains at a linear progression like this the Blue Jays may have another superstar on their hands.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 22 | 488 ANSWERS The reason for Addison Barger's success finally revealed Will Addison Barger bat over 300 next season? | ||
| Yes | 282 | 57.8 % |
| No | 206 | 42.2 % |
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