Springer Getting Top Marks For Standout Season

The Toronto Blue Jays are having a great regular season that is placing them in the upper crust of the American League. They have received unexpected contributions from the edges of the roster. They have also received a healthy dose of solid production from their veteran core.

Maybe none bigger than George Springer, who was recognized by MLB.com as one of the veterans turning back the clock this season. Four of the six veterans mentioned in the article play in the American League East, underscoring the difficulty of Toronto's competition this season. The Blue Jays have a few candidates, but the owner of the biggest free agent contract in team history is earning his money this season.

Springer Getting Top Marks For Standout Season

Springer is slashing .297/.391/.544 with 28 home runs, 73 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 124 games. It's easily his best production in a Toronto uniform. His overall 3.8 WAR is second on the team to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Springer has been clutch at the most opportune times, including a scintillating performance against the Yankees smacking four home runs and driving in 11 runs.

Springer is toting a healthy 18.3% strikeout rate along with a 11.9% walk rate. The article notes that Springer has experienced one of the biggest gains in bat speed this season (+1.7 mph). Baseball Savant currently shows Springer with a 73.6 bat speed, currently ranking in the 71st percentile.

His 15.7% barrel percentage is in the 94th percentile of the league this year, compared to the 63rd percentile in 2024. The most impressive part is the consistency throughout the course of the regular season for a 35-year-old.

He started strong and hasn't let his foot off the gas pedal in any month. His worst month was May when he hit .209 but still still found a way to slug six home runs. As a potent leadoff hitter, Springer sets the tone with his power and on-base abilties. His career in Houston feels like a long time ago and Springer is turning it up in Toronto when it matters most.

Springer will be featured prominently down the stretch for the Blue Jays. He has played the lion's share of games at designated hitter while sprinkling in appearances at all three outfield spots. His defense certainly leaves a lot to be desired.

The impending return of Anthony Santander sets up an interesting question about how playing itme will be alloted. The Blue Jays need Santander to show them something after signing the slugger to a $92 million deal last winter. Santander has a brutal .179/.273/.304 with only six home runs and 18 RBIs in 50 games played this season.

Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet recently wrote, "If Santander's progress continues, he and George Springer would share DH duties while also playing some outfield."

This feels like a good problem for the Blue Jays to figure out as the regular season winds down. Springer is a career .268 hitter in 67 postseason games and should be able to adjust to any circumstance. The Blue Jays are riding high and Springer's success is one of the reasons why this team could have the ingredients to win a World Series.