Jays Journal's Top 30 Blue Jays Prospects - 2024 Midseason Update

5. Addison Barger- AAA (Previous Rank: 4)
24 y.o / LHH / 3B/OF

Barger has been productive at Triple-A after a middling 2023 and he has spent significant time with the big league team. The big thing with him is raw power. He has the second best batspeed on the Jays and he consistently hits the ball hard. The key to unlocking that power is getting more of his best contact in the air. Barger's swing path has been a consistent worry of mine and his <30% flyball rate isn't doing much to alleviate my concerns. Barger makes enough contact and has been productive against all pitch types at Triple-A. He has improved his decisions over the year, going from over-aggressive to more of a passive approach. If he or the coaching staff can unlock his swing, he can be a plus hitter from the left-side.

Barger's early defensive returns in the big leagues have been underwhelming but he does show some promise. He has a cannon of an arm, it's a 70 at worst and will bail him out of inefficient mechanics at the hot corner. He's also an average or better runner which bodes well for his move to the corner outfield. The defensive tools are there and Barger has been solid out there as a minor leaguer.