The Toronto Blue Jays main problem is finally vocalized
Photo credit: Toronto Blue Jays On Si
The Toronto Blue Jays have been one of the most underperforming teams in baseball during the first six weeks of the 2025 MLB regular season.
Despite making significant additions to their lineup in the offseason, neither of the moves has worked out as well as the team had hoped through the first 36 games.
The Blue Jays' offensive struggles can be linked to one specific statistic...strikeouts.
Kenneth Teape from the Toronto Blue Jays On Si writes second-baseman Andres Gimenez continues to shine defensively, but his offensive performance has drastically declined. He is batting .195/.273/.305 with a 65 OPS+, hitting three home runs, five doubles, 10 RBI, and nine stolen bases.
"There would be a lot more scrutiny for his struggles had his new teammate, Anthony Santander, been performing so poorly after agreeing to a five-year, $92.5 million contract this past winter that could be worth as much as $110 million over six years." -Teape
Gimenez and Santander exemplify the team's difficulties in capitalizing on pitches down the middle, both posting slugging percentages under .400.
The Blue Jays are swinging at more pitches outside the strike zone this year, with a 4.0% increase, according to Eno Sarris of The Athletic.
This change has significantly impacted the team's overall OPS, which has dropped by 41 points in 2025 compared to 2024. Such a steep decline highlights the need for an adjustment in their approach at the plate.
«But on the team level, not chasing is a marker of success, probably because the slugging percentage on pitches outside the zone is more than 250 points lower than on pitches inside the zone." -Sarris
Teape also writes that along with their struggles hitting pitches down the middle, it's worth considering how much of these issues might stem from coaching.
"There is certainly some pressing being done by players who are looking to get on track after a slow start, but the entire team's approach at the plate is concerning when taking into consideration the power outage that has occurred." -Teape
Excellent outings from the pitching staff are being squandered due to the Blue Jays' continued struggles with offensive production.
Source:
Toronto Blue Jays On Si
Blue Jays Offensive Woes Can Be Attributed to Concerning Increase in One Statistic
Toronto Blue Jays On Si
Blue Jays Offensive Woes Can Be Attributed to Concerning Increase in One Statistic
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MAI 10 | 1327 ANSWERS The Toronto Blue Jays main problem is finally vocalized Do you think the Blue Jays can turn things around at the plate this season? | ||
| yes | 945 | 71.2 % |
| no | 382 | 28.8 % |
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