Why Ty France could be David Popkins' biggest pet project

Opinions are mixed when it comes to how the Blue Jays fared at the 2025 trade deadline. But one thing that will go a long way to determining how successful Toronto was is what kind of impact infielder Ty France will make.

France, acquired with right-hander Louis Varland from the Minnesota Twins, was seen by many as an underwhelming addition. With some big bats available last month, it may have been disappointing for Blue Jays fans to see Toronto add one guy with an OPS of .678, and just six home runs in 391 plate appearances.

It'll take some work for sure, but there may be hope that France can help the Blue Jays. Enter hitting coach David Popkins and assistant hitting coaches Lou Iannotti and Hunter Mense.

Popkins was the Twins hitting coach from 2021 through 2024, a time during which Minnesota cracked the top ten in runs scored and top five in home runs twice. He joined the Blue Jays staff this season, making a real difference with the Toronto offense. A year after spending 2024 near the bottom in most offensive categories, the Blue Jays lead the majors with a .335 on-base percentage entering play Saturday, and sixth in the majors with a .749 OPS.

One of the reasons for the improved offense is the surprise emergence of a few Jays, including Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes. The resurrection of George Springer has certainly helped as well, as has the improved play of Davis Schneider. Popkins and staff has received some of the credit for these successes, largely for the new creative approach they brought to the team. The Blue Jays became a team that makes a lot of contact, doesn't strike out much and doesn't solely rely on the home run for scoring. Putting the ball in play and finding different ways to score runs has worked so far.

For his part, France has seen success in the past, posting a 4.2 Wins Above Replacement in 2021 and a 3.0 bWAR in his All-Star season of 2022. He has a 20-homer season and a couple of years with an OPS of more than .800. He makes a lot of contact and has a strikeout rate (16.3 percent) that is better than average, so France does fit within the team's offensive philosophy.

There are some underlying numbers that suggest France can be molded into a contributing hitter. As a right-handed batter, France has 104 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers. In those PAs, France has posted a 90.3 mph average exit velocity, a 12.3 percent barrel rate, and a 42 percent hard hit rate. For his career, France has an .813 OPS with runners in scoring position.

Another plus is the Blue Jays aren't risking a lot by having France on the roster. France signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Twins in 2025, meaning that isn't a huge cost for the Blue Jays to eat if they decide to move on from France.

The Blue Jays needed a right-handed power bat, and it's unknown if France can be that guy. He primarily plays first base, and has experience at second and third base too, but he's never been known as a good fielder. So, any impact France will have will come at the plate. The Blue Jays could be the team to turn him into a reliable contributor.