Daulton Varsho, now 29, has been a key figure for the Blue Jays since they acquired him from the Diamondbacks in December 2022. The trade, which involved sending Lourdes Gurriel and Gabriel Moreno to Arizona, aimed to bolster the team's defense-a mission Varsho has certainly fulfilled, even after the addition of Kevin Kiermaier just days earlier.
While Varsho's offensive numbers in 2022 didn't set the world on fire, his defensive prowess was a major upgrade. Over the past three seasons, he's posted a .221/.288/.428 slash line, with 58 home runs, 12 triples, 110 walks, and 349 strikeouts. His all-around contributions have translated to an 11.3 bWAR, underscoring his value beyond the batter's box.
Last season was a bit of a rollercoaster for Varsho, as injuries sidelined him for a significant chunk of time. He dealt with shoulder surgery in the offseason, a hamstring strain, and a hit-by-pitch on the hand. Despite these setbacks, he showcased newfound power, smashing 20 home runs in just 71 games and achieving a career-high .548 slugging percentage.
Defensively, Varsho was nothing short of spectacular. He recorded a +9 Outs Above Average in just 550 innings in center field, making jaw-dropping catches that defy belief-like snagging a ball while facing the opposite direction after a fall. His highlight reel is a testament to his defensive wizardry.
However, his throwing arm, affected by surgery, hasn't fully rebounded. While his range remains elite-95th percentile per Baseball Savant-his arm strength has dipped to the 5th percentile, a drop from the 40th percentile in 2024. Still, as long as he maintains his range, the arm strength issue is manageable.
Looking ahead, Steamer projections have Varsho playing 117 games, hitting .226/.293/.430 with 23 home runs and 7 steals, alongside a 1.7 fWAR. While a dip in slugging is anticipated, Varsho's blend of power, defense, and resilience makes him a pivotal piece for the Blue Jays moving forward.