Addison Barger

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #5 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Drafted in 2018, Barger spent most of 2019 on the restricted list before emerging with added power from the 2020 pandemic shutdown. He had a strong season in 2021 with Low-A Dunedin before breaking out in 2022 by hitting .308/.378/.555 across three levels and reaching Triple-A. Barger returned to Buffalo in 2023 and struggled initially before an April 28 trip to the injured list with elbow pain. After an examination found no structural damage, Barger returned to Buffalo on June 21 and hit .254/.358/.424 over the final 68 games. He showed improved plate discipline upon his return via rates of 19% strikeouts and nearly 14% walks.
  
  Scouting Report: After showing a more aggressive approach and more in-game power in 2021 and 2022, Barger showed more patience in 2023 and a toned-down launch angle. This in turn produced a more consistent bat path, and he showed improvements in contact, in-zone contact and swing decisions. Barger traded some fly balls for line drives and ground balls, but he closed some of the holes in his swing. While he hit for less power in 2023, his underlying exit velocity data improved across the board, with his average exit velocity jumping more than 3 mph and his 90th percentile EV increasing by 2 mph to 106 mph. Barger is a fringe-average runner and not a threat to steal bases. In the field, he is unlikely to stick at shortstop full time, and he saw time in right field and at third base and second base in 2023. He has a plus arm that could work at a variety of positions, but it’s a matter of cleaning up some of his actions and footwork.
  
  The Future: Barger is a versatile lefthanded hitter who has improved his hit tool while learning to play right field. He is a super-utility type with above-average hitting ability.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #4 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Barger impressed as one of the top all-around high school players in the 2018 draft class and signed with the Blue Jays for $271,100 as a sixth-round pick. He took time to gel as a professional and spent most of 2019 on the restricted list, but he emerged from the coronavirus shutdown stronger and with a more power-focused swing to begin his ascent. Barger enjoyed an encouraging campaign at Low-A Dunedin in 2021 and broke out loudly in 2022, rising three levels to finish the season at Triple-A Buffalo. He led the Blue Jays organization in hits (144), runs (80), RBIs (91), slugging percentage (.555), OPS (.933) and total bases (259) and earned an assignment to the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Barger transformed from a contact hitter to an overly aggressive power hitter before finding a good balance between the two approaches in 2022. Barger has an unorthodox setup at the plate with an upright, open stance and a pronounced leg kick he uses as a timing mechanism. He looks to do damage on the inner half and shoots balls to his pull side, with 24 of his 26 home runs in 2022 going to right field. After previously struggling to control his aggressiveness, Barger has become more subdued to cut down his chase swings and make more contact in the zone. He's still a fringy hitter who doesn't walk much, but he makes enough contact to get to his power. Barger can play multiple positions on the infield. His sound actions and plus arm strength should allow him to stick at shortstop as an average defender, and he can also capably play second base or third base.
  
  The Future: Barger's power and defense give him a chance to be a regular in the middle infield. He is in position to make his major league debut in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Run: 50. Field: 50. Arm: 60

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #178 prospect in 2018 draft
  One of the best all-around players in the Tampa area, Barger has solid tools across the board but didn't have a single plus tool until his arm strength improved this spring. It's a 60-grade arm currently, but Barger gets the most out of the rest of his toolset as a sure-fielding shortstop with plus bat speed and feel to hit that gives him average raw power. Barger makes all the routine plays at shortstop and should do enough to stick at the position until someone with more tools comes along and pushes him to second base. He's a smart player who understands the game and makes adjustments at a level that encourages scouts about his on-field makeup. There's not a ton of upside with Barger because of his lack of any plus tool, but scouts have compared him to the Logan Warmoths of the world--someone who could end up at college and drastically improve his prospect status. A Florida commit, Barger has no real holes in his game and a hit tool that drives mid-90s velocity with regularity.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Barger impressed as one of the top all-around high school players in the 2018 draft class and signed with the Blue Jays for $271,100 as a sixth-round pick. He took time to gel as a professional and spent most of 2019 on the restricted list, but he emerged from the coronavirus shutdown stronger and with a more power-focused swing to begin his ascent. Barger enjoyed an encouraging campaign at Low-A Dunedin in 2021 and broke out loudly in 2022, rising three levels to finish the season at Triple-A Buffalo. He led the Blue Jays organization in hits (144), runs (80), RBIs (91), slugging percentage (.555), OPS (.933) and total bases (259) and earned an assignment to the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Barger transformed from a contact hitter to an overly aggressive power hitter before finding a good balance between the two approaches in 2022. Barger has an unorthodox setup at the plate with an upright, open stance and a pronounced leg kick he uses as a timing mechanism. He looks to do damage on the inner half and shoots balls to his pull side, with 24 of his 26 home runs in 2022 going to right field. After previously struggling to control his aggressiveness, Barger has become more subdued to cut down his chase swings and make more contact in the zone. He's still a fringy hitter who doesn't walk much, but he makes enough contact to get to his power. Barger can play multiple positions on the infield. His sound actions and plus arm strength should allow him to stick at shortstop as an average defender, and he can also capably play second base or third base.
  
  The Future: Barger's power and defense give him a chance to be a regular in the middle infield. He is in position to make his major league debut in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Run: 50. Field: 50. Arm: 60
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Barger impressed as one of the top all-around high school players in the 2018 draft class and signed with the Blue Jays for $271,100 as a sixth-round pick. He took time to gel as a professional and spent most of 2019 on the restricted list, but he emerged from the coronavirus shutdown stronger and with a more power-focused swing to begin his ascent. Barger enjoyed an encouraging campaign at Low-A Dunedin in 2021 and broke out loudly in 2022, rising three levels to finish the season at Triple-A Buffalo. He led the Blue Jays organization in hits (144), runs (80), RBIs (91), slugging percentage (.555), OPS (.933) and total bases (259) and earned an assignment to the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Barger transformed from a contact hitter to an overly aggressive power hitter before finding a good balance between the two approaches in 2022. Barger has an unorthodox setup at the plate with an upright, open stance and a pronounced leg kick he uses as a timing mechanism. He looks to do damage on the inner half and shoots balls to his pull side, with 24 of his 26 home runs in 2022 going to right field. After previously struggling to control his aggressiveness, Barger has become more subdued to cut down his chase swings and make more contact in the zone. He's still a fringy hitter who doesn't walk much, but he makes enough contact to get to his power. Barger can play multiple positions on the infield. His sound actions and plus arm strength should allow him to stick at shortstop as an average defender, and he can also capably play second base or third base.
  
  The Future: Barger's power and defense give him a chance to be a regular in the middle infield. He is in position to make his major league debut in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Run: 50. Field: 50. Arm: 60
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 45/High
  
  Track Record: The Blue Jays drafted Barger in the sixth round in 2018 out of C.Leon King High in Tampa. The signed him for an at slot bonus of $271,100, and assigned him to the gulf coast league out of the draft. He was limited in 2019 to just 13 games after he was placed on the restricted list. He remerged with Dunedin in 2021 with added strength and game power, clubbing 18 home runs.
  
  Scouting Report: Dating back to his time as an amateur Barger has always had a plus or better throwing arm. His all-around play was his calling card with a plus arm and a toolbelt of average skills. He added power in 2021, seeing big jumps in his top end exit velocities and showing a steeper launch angle. He traded some contact for power however and struckout over 31% of the time in 2021. He regained some of that contact heading into 2022, and has cutdown on the swing and miss tendencies this season. While his approach is still aggressive he&#39s cut down on his chase rate and is now making contact at an average rate. He&#39s managed to keep the power gains too, allowing Barger to take a major step forward at the plate. His swing is highly unusual with a pronounced leg kick, and a hands driven swing with a highly rotational finish. It&#39s worked over the last two years but leads to some questions as to how he&#39ll fare against higher caliber pitching. Defensively he has the ability to handle shortstop, third base, and second, but he has the kind of arm you want on the left side of the infield. His ability to make all the throws and handle shortstop defensively make him a potential everyday hitter if he makes enough contact.
  
  The Future: A player with a standout tool on both sides of the ball - will Barger make enough contact long-term to be an everyday player? - is the primary question around his profile. If he does he has the ability to be a super-utility infielder or an everyday regular on a second-division squad.