Opening Day is here for the Toronto Blue Jays, and they're kicking off their season against the West Sacramento Athletics at Rogers Centre. As they set out to defend their AL East division title, there's a buzz around whether they can ramp up their home run game.
Last season, despite a solid 191 homers, only George Springer managed more than 25. But 2026 might just be the year the Jays turn up the power.
Blue Jays Poised for a Power Surge in 2026
The top five teams in home runs last year were the Yankees, Dodgers, Mariners, Angels, and Mets, all surpassing the 200-mark. For the Blue Jays, that's a gap to close, but given their postseason performance and impressive Spring Training swings, it's a feasible goal.
Starting with George Springer, at 36, his load management will be crucial. Serving primarily as the DH, he's in a good position to approach 25 homers again this season.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is another key player. He hit 23 homers in 2025 and added eight more in the postseason, showcasing a remarkable 9.12 HR per at-bat pace. While that level is tough to sustain in the regular season, he's likely to find a sweet spot between the likes of Juan Soto and Jazz Chisholm.
Daulton Varsho and Addison Barger are also expected to step up. They combined for 41 homers last year despite injuries and limited play. With a strong showing in Spring Training, these two lefties are primed to join the 25+ home run club alongside Guerrero and Springer.
Last season, the top four Jays in homers were Springer, Guerrero, Varsho, and Barger. While Springer might see a slight dip, the others are on an upward trajectory. Bo Bichette, Alejandro Kirk, and Nathan Lukes rounded out the lineup with 18, 15, and 12 homers, respectively.
Adding to the mix are Kazuma Okamoto and Jésus Sànchez. Okamoto, a powerhouse from Japan, is projected for 22-24 homers, while Sànchez, stepping in for the injured Anthony Santander, is expected to contribute around 15. If Sànchez can handle lefties as well, his impact could be even greater.
Projecting the Numbers
If Springer, Guerrero, Varsho, and Barger each hit 25 homers, and Okamoto and Sànchez add 20 each, that brings us to 140. Alejandro Kirk, with his disciplined approach, is good for another 15.
Ernie Clement and Andrés Giménez are projected for a combined 25, while the bench could chip in 21 more. This totals 201 homers, leaving the Jays needing 23 more to match last year's fifth-place Mets.
Of course, hitting 224 homers might not guarantee a top-five finish if other teams also surge. But the Blue Jays are on a promising path to overcome last year's power shortfall and could soon find themselves among the league's elite home run hitters in 2026.