Who are the last 7 Blue Jays players to have 100 RBI in a single season?

Edwin Encarnación (2016)

When is 89 better than 91? When comparing the Blue Jays' 2016 season to their 2021 campaign.

That's because, despite the Blue Jays winning less games in 2016, they actually qualified for the playoffs. They also ranked lower in scoring at ninth, although they did again finish fifth-best in run differential. (Albeit at just +93 compared to +183 in 2021.)

Continuing this theme on an individual level, the Blue Jays had just one player reach 100 RBI compared to the four in 2021. But what an effort it turned out to be, by Edwin Encarnación.

For a start, Encarnación's 127 RBI surpassed Hernández's 116 in 2021. In addition, the former's RBI total led the AL in 2016, with what was a single-season career-high.

In this respect, 2016 was arguably the three-time All-Star's best overall season in his 16-year Major League career. He also set single-season bests with 158 hits, 318 total bases and 99 runs, while tying another career-high of 42 home runs.

Having said (written) all this, Josh Donaldson was actually the Blue Jays' best offensive player in 2016. He might have just missed out on 100 RBI by one, but he led the team in a variety of other categories.

This included hits, walks, runs, slash line and OPS, as well as producing a fantastic 7.4 WAR which doubled Encarnación in second place. While Donaldson didn't repeat his AL MVP award of the previous year, he still finished fourth in voting and won his second consecutive Silver Slugger Award.

Ultimately though as a team, the Blue Jays would fall short of their goal to win a third World Series. After beating the Orioles in the single-elimination Wild Card game and sweeping the Rangers 3-0 in the ALDS, they couldn't handle the then-Indians as they lost 4-1 in the ALCS.

Josh Donaldson, José Bautista & Encarnación (all in 2015)

There are many who consider the 2015 Blue Jays to be the best version since their World Series teams of 1992 and 1993. This is understandable for a variety of reasons.

The 93-69 record stands as the Blue Jay' best since those 1992-93 teams. They also easily led the Majors with 891 runs (127 ahead of second place) and a +221 run differential (+99 more than second place).

On an individual level, Donaldson led the way with the best season of his (to date) 13-year Major League career. He finished first on the team in hits, home runs, doubles, batting average, slugging percentage, OPS and with a remarkable 8.8 WAR.

On a league-wide level, the two-time Silver Slugger led the AL in RBI and total bases, and the Majors as a whole in runs. He capped the season by deservedly being named AL MVP.

Donaldson was also one of three Blue Jays players to reach 100 RBI, leading the team with 123. He was joined by José Bautista with 114 and Encarnación with 111.

This made for a potent trio, with all three players recording a +.900 OPS. Alas though, they couldn't produce a World Series champion, despite having the most dangerous team in the Majors.

That's because the Blue Jays actually had two wins less than the AL-leading Royals, which made all the difference come the ALCS. The Blue Jays would go on to lose the decisive sixth game in Kansas City -- albeit just 4-3 -- leaving fans wondering about what could have been.

Bautista (2014)

The 2014 campaign might have not seemed particularly important at the time. However, it was actually setting the stage for finally returning to the playoffs the next season after a 22-year absence.

The Blue Jays finished third in the AL East with a 83-79 record and fifth in the Majors for scoring. Leading the way was Bautista, looking more like what he was capable of following a couple of seasons battling injuries.

The three-time Silver Slugger led the Blue Jays in home runs, walks, total bases, OBP and OPS. As a result, he also produced an impressive team-high 6.0 WAR, earned his fifth consecutive All-Star selection and finished sixth in AL MVP voting.

As you'd expect though for a team which finished fifth-highest in scoring, it wasn't just a one-man effort. Encarnación was second on the team with 34 home runs, while finishing just short of the 100-RBI mark, with 98.

Encarnación (2013)

The 2013 campaign was a miserable one for the Blue Jays. In the post World Series/strike era, their 74-88 record was tied for their third-worst in 18 years.

In addition, the Blue Jays finished bottom in their division, as the only team with a losing record. Somewhat surprisingly then, they did finish ninth in the Majors in scoring. (Although for some context, just eighth in the AL.)

Leading the way for the Blue Jays was Encarnación, just one season removed from his break-out year. And when we say leading, we mean this in the most emphatic of ways.

Consider that the Dominican Republic native was the team leader in a host of offensive categories. This included hits, doubles, home runs, walks, OBP, slugging percentage, OPS, total bases and runs.

Additionally, as per the subject matter for this post, Encarnación was also the only Blue Jays player to reach the 100 RBI mark, with 104. He earned his first All-Star selection, as well as some AL MVP votes.

Interestingly, the 2000 ninth round draft pick was only third on the team with a 4.0 WAR. Colby Rasmus -- remember him? -- was first with a 4.8 WAR, while Bautista was second with a 4.1 WAR.

Ultimately though it didn't mean much, in a season which had such high expectations beforehand. However, Encarnación deserves respect for doing everything he could to keep the team competitive.