1. Carlos Delgado – 2000
Not only is Carlos Delgado the best infielder in franchise history, I believe he is the best position player in Blue Jays history. With that being said, it’s only right that the best position player had the best offensive season in Blue Jays history.
Carlos Delgado’s 2000 season looks more impressive every time I look at it. He amassed a .344/.470/.664 slash line with 41 home runs and 137 RBI and led the league with 57 doubles and 337 total bases. Delgado amassed an absurd 99 extra-base hits in the 2000 season which set a franchise record.
A power-hitting first baseman like Delgado having a .470 OBP is frightening. It was just three points behind John Olerud’s franchise record for OBP in the 1993 season. He drew 123 walks compared to just 104 strikeouts. A player like Delgado walking 19 more times than he struck out made him impossible to pitch to.
His OPS and slugging percentages set franchise records among many other statistical categories. He put up the best all-around season in my opinion in Jays history with his extra-base hits and plate discipline.
Delgado had a 179 WRC+ which was just three points shy of Jason Giambi for the league lead. His .471 wOBA was second in the American League. Delgado’s defense was putrid which I’m sure was a contributing factor to him finishing fourth in the American League MVP balloting, but his numbers at the plate were comparable to Giambi who did win the award.