Whereas the Toronto Blue Jays might not be capable of catch the New York Yankees on the prime of the division, they’re solidly within the Wild Card race. At 26-27, the crew is simply two video games out of a Wild Card spot regardless of the struggles of their star free agent signing, Anthony Santander.
One MLB insider believes Santander’s efficiency might finally resolve the Blue Jays’ season.
MLB Insider Names Anthony Santander as Considered one of Baseball’s ‘Most Disappointing’ Gamers
MLB insider Jared Greenspan compiled an inventory of baseball’s most disappointing gamers and believes that the Blue Jays want extra from Anthony Santander in the event that they wish to stay within the playoff race this summer time.
Whereas there’s been a number of consideration surrounding star shortstop Bo Bichette, Santander hasn’t been nice in any respect. The Blue Jays anticipated taking a step ahead after convincing Santander to go away their rival Baltimore Orioles and signal with them.
The Blue Jays signed Santander to a five-year, $92.5 million contract after he averaged 35 house runs and 95 runs batted over the past three seasons with the Orioles. The crew witnessed firsthand what Santander is able to, as he hit 21 house runs in his profession in opposition to the Blue Jays.
Santander was thought of a key a part of the long run if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opted to signal someplace else. In the end, Guerrero Jr. reached a long-term deal to remain in Toronto, which has raised expectations much more for what the Blue Jays are able to on offense.
Nonetheless, Santander has seemed nothing just like the star hitter he was with the Orioles the previous few seasons throughout his early run in Toronto. He’s presently hitting .189 with six house runs and a .594 OPS, which is on the backside of the league. One of many greatest points for Santander throughout this stoop is that he appears to have utterly misplaced his skill to drive the ball.
Anthony Santander has the seventh worst OPS (.572) amongst 165 certified MLB hitters.
He’s clearly not proper and the shoulder and hip points are piling up.
Is it time for the Blue Jays to present him a break and hit the IL? pic.twitter.com/Hp1ANdDWfZ
— Blue Jays In the present day (@TodayJays) May 20, 2025
His barrel price, candy spot proportion, and arduous hit proportion are at their lowest since 2020. Santander punished off-speed pitches final 12 months, hitting .274 in opposition to them. This 12 months, he’s solely hitting .167 in opposition to these pitches. His ground-ball price is the best since 2019, and his weak-contact price is the best since he debuted within the main leagues in 2017. If there’s one constructive this season for Santander, his 10% stroll price is presently a profession excessive.
Santander isn’t chasing pitches, however he’s not doing any harm when swinging at pitches contained in the strike zone. His struggles on the plate are much more worrying for the Blue Jays as a result of he’s not offering the identical defensive worth anymore. The previous Gold Glove finalist has graded out as common to beneath common in each defensive runs saved and outs above common over the past three years.
The Blue Jays want Santander to show issues round each within the brief time period and the long run. The very last thing the crew desires is purchaser’s regret only a 12 months or two right into a five-year contract.
