Center fielder Kevin Kiermaier to the IL; Blue Jays prospect Addison Barger to make his debut
At Kauffman Stadium, Barger will bat seventh and play left field against the Kansas City Royals.
Barger is a left-handed batter with power who is rated No. 5 on Keith Law’s list of the top 20 Blue Jays prospects. Barger had a great start to the season with the Buffalo Bisons, hitting.314/.435/.586 after 19 games, including three home runs and ten doubles. Barger has been waiting to enter the major leagues for some time, but now that the Blue Jays have a complete MLB roster, His best chance of getting into the big club seemed to be as a replacement for an injury.
After being selected by the Blue Jays in the 2018 draft as a shortstop, Barger has transitioned to a utility role in recent years, filling in at right field, shortstop, second, and third. Barger has split his time between right field (40 innings) and third base (87 innings) in Buffalo this season. Up until now, Barger has not made a mistake in a professional setting.
“He can play right, third, and short, and his versatility and power make him useful, but he’s not a shortstop except in dire situations, and as he gets bigger, he’ll have to work at third base,” Law wrote of Barger. “Should he remain there, He might be a daily player with a low OBP of 20 home runs. Since he doesn’t really have a position and the bat might not play every day in right or left, I believe a utility role is more plausible.
According to Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, Kiermaier was placed on the injured list after leaving the game during the sixth inning of the Blue Jays’ 3-2 loss to the Royals on Tuesday due to what was initially reported to be left hip flexor stiffness. During the 2022 season, Kiermaier underwent surgery on his left hip while he was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Blue Jays will look to Daulton Varsho to handle center field chores now that Kiermaier is on the injured list. The loss of Kiermaier hurts Toronto’s outfield defense, Since the Blue Jays have two excellent center fielders, Varsho can take Kiermaier’s job with ease. Varsho, who has slashed.333/.391/.857 with four doubles, six home runs, and thirteen RBIs in his previous 13 games, has also been among the Blue Jays’ most productive hitters lately.
With Kiermaier out, Barger and Davis Schneider likely be the front-runners for the most playing time in left field. George Springer can also play center field, but the Blue Jays might decide against that defensive strategy because they prefer Springer in right field. Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ernie Clement can both play left field.