Blue Jays: WAR update at the quarter-mark of the season

Catchers

Despite playing in less than a dozen games, Danny Jansen has already accumulated a decent WAR (0.4) while showing off a power stroke (three HRs). His return to the lineup is a welcome one as he seems to get the best out of veteran starter Hyun-Jin Ryu.

Alejandro Kirk (0.7) has shown a lot of growth this season and his timing has been perfect. Jansen’s injury meant Kirk had to catch more often than expected. He’s responded well, and is known as an elite pitch-framer, has thrown out a third of would-be base-stealers (5/15), and has more walks than strikeouts. Zack Collins (0.1) has also found some success as a DH and backup catcher when Jansen was on the IL but currently finds himself below the Mendoza line at .194.

The Toronto Blue Jays have officially played just over one-quarter of their scheduled regular-season games so far this season.

Outfield

George Springer (1.3) has been able to stay on the field and he’s delivered the kind of numbers Jays fans expected when he signed with the team before last season. He’s tied for the team lead in homers (seven) and RBI (22) while making a series of highlight-reel level catches in centrefield.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr.(0.0) and Teoscar Hernandez (0.1) have both been key contributors over the past few years, but neither one has been able to get on track this season.

Injuries have meant that Raimel Tapia has seen more playing time than initially anticipated. He hasn’t exactly taken advantage of that opportunity (WAR -0.5) although the WAR stat has never been kind to Tapia. His career WAR is 0.0. with a career-high of 1.0 in 2021. His lack of power and below-average defensive rating hasn’t helped although he’s been primarily serviceable.

Used mostly in a bench capacity as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement, Bradley Zimmer sports a -0.2 WAR.