Barger has racked up six home runs and 29 hits in 88 at-bats, delivering clutch performances recently for the Blue Jays, including three homers during their series sweep of the Athletics.
Why Barger's sudden turnaround is earning him Blue Jays MVP comparisons.
Matthew Sookram from the Jays Journal writes that before Wednesday's game, Barger was closing in on making history, as only three Blue Jays players have ever hit home runs in more than four consecutive games: José Bautista (five games in 2014), José Cruz (six games in 2001), and Kendrys Morales (seven games in 2018).
"This hot stretch for Barger, who has now seemingly locked down the third base job (while getting reps in the outfield as well) is drawing some hot takes on social media, with some people claiming the Blue Jays have found 'the next Josh Donaldson.' " -Sookram
If anything, the comparison is a complement for the young Barger, considering Donaldson is a former American League MVP who earned the award with Toronto in 2015.
"In four years with the Blue Jays Donaldson accumulated a 19.8 bWAR, hitting 116 home runs with an OPS+ of 148. He also played tremendous defence and was a catalyst for the clubs two postseason appearances in 2015 and '16, and who can forget his mad dash home to clinch the ALDS against the Rangers in 2016?" -Sookram
Barger still has a lot to prove before he can truly be called the "next Donaldson," but he's headed in the right direction, putting up stats comparable to some of the top players in the game today.