Addison Barger Could Turn Heads in 2025:
(A Thread 🪡🧵)
#BlueJays
Barger put up subpar numbers in his first stint at the Major League level:
69 G
7 HR
20 R
28 RBI
.197/.250/.351
.262 wOBA
70 wRC+
-0.3 fWAR
However, Barger has shown some of the most elite raw tools in MiLB!
Barger, with a very quick and compact uppercut swing allows him to punish pitches with authority at an elite level.
He was at Least Top 20% or better in:
.376 wOBA
.389 xwOBA
90.1 MPH EV
113.2 MPH Max EV
47.7% Hard-Hit%
46.4% LA Sweet Spot%
From 23’-24’ in AAA Barger saw lots of improvements:
9 HR (88 G)📈9 HR (57 G)
BB%: 13.1%📈16.1%
K%: 21.7%📉19.3%
wOBA: .343📈.386
EV: 88.9 MPH📈90.1 MPH
LA: 9.7 °📈10.4 °
Hard-Hit%: 37.9%📈42.7%
Cent%: 19.1%📈23.1%
LD%: 28.3%📈34.4%
More patient while increasing EVs✅
In terms of his pitch selection and approach, Barger is an outlier:
44.3% Zone% with a 58.5% Zone Swing% is very interesting to look at.
This means Barger was not getting pitches thrown in the zone, but he wasn’t swinging at strikes. This could cause him to be “over selective”
I don’t think is too big of a concern as there are other elite MiLB players that have this similar profile.
Barger will see and saw more stikes at the MLB level which will allow him to showcase his extremely quick and electric bat.
Barger made a stance adjustment during the Season.
Pros:
-Lower hand placement allows for a quicker trigger.
-His Closed off stance allows him not to pull off pitches and stay in and through the zone longer.
-Controlled mechanics allow a smooth and consistent load.
Fluidity✅
Barger displays some of the best raw bat speed in baseball.
74.3 MPH would put him in the 80th + Percentile.
Looking at his swing mechanics, you can just tell he’s a pure hitter. His bat stays through the zone and he’s short and explosive to the ball.
No wasted movement✅
Let’s also not forget he can absolutely sling it across the diamond!
His 96.3 MPH Arm Strength is in the 99th percentile!
He has an absolute hose🔥
Barger’s 2025 projection has him finishing with 7 HR with a 103 wRC+ and 0.7 fWAR.
He could absolutely put that projection to shame with regular playing time.
His rolling 100 PA xwOBA is encouraging and highlights improvement towards the end of the year!
Thank you for reading!
-OPS
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