Blue Jays: one sentence per hitter to predict the 2026 season

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Blue Jays: one sentence per hitter to predict the 2026 season
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We're just a few months away from the 2026 season. The Blue Jays are still looking to improve, but it's possible that the club will start next season with pretty much this group.

What can we expect from the hitters most likely to make the club following practice camp?

Addison Barger had a breakout season in 2026, and I fully expect to see him go for even more power and be a more consistent 162-game hitter.

Ernie Clement won't be able to be as good as he was in the playoffs, but he's going to be an important piece who can play multiple positions in the Blue Jays' infield.

Tyler Heineman won't be as good in 2026 as he was in 2025, when he exceeded expectations for a #2 catcher… but nobody's asking that of him, either.

Andres Gimenez will have trouble being consistent offensively (already not his strength) because he'll have to get used to life at shortstop, but he'll be excellent defensively.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will pick up where he left off in the playoffs, on the strength of his contract, to fight for the American MVP.

Alejandro Kirk will have fewer offensive responsibilities due to the club's depth, and the receiver will be given time to tame the new ABS system.

Joey Loperfido will have a hard time earning playing time (barring a wave of injuries) and his future may not lie with Toronto.

Nathan Lukes shouldn't have as big a role as he did in 2025, but it will be up to him to do the best he can to force management to give him plenty of turns at bat.

Kazuma Okamoto may have a period of adjustment to North American baseball, but it won't be long before this excellent player has some fun with the bat.

Anthony Santander can't do worse than 2025, but can hardly do better than 2024: a happy medium is to be expected.

David Schneider probably won't get much playing time in Toronto, and we can expect to see him become a pure bench player… or a member of a new organization.

George Springer found the fountain of youth in 2025 and still has gas in the tank, but we shouldn't necessarily expect such a great 2026 season.

Myles Straw notably got some playing time in 2025 thanks to Daulton Varsho's injuries, but at best he'll be a late-game defensive option only.

Daulton Varsho will always be inconsistent at bat, but I expect to see the excellent defensive player have a better season at bat due to the fact that he's a year away from autonomy.

This content was created with the help of AI.

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