The Toronto Blue Jays are finding ways to thrive at the right time.
Toronto sits atop the AL East and boasts the best record in the American League. They just throttled the Colorado Rockies for 45 runs over three games; however, the strength of schedule down the stretch will truly test the team’s resilience.
As the postseason race intensifies, here are five key Blue Jays players to watch:
Bo Bichette, SS
Bo Bichette has been red-hot of late, making the most of his walk year. He’s slashing .301/.340/.475 with 16 home runs and 78 RBIs— a return to form for the two-time All-Star. While his heroics at Coors Field certainly boosted his numbers, Bichette’s elite bat-to-ball skills and hand-eye coordination have been on display this season, and he now leads the league in hits (145).
After an underwhelming 2024 season marred by injury and a sluggish start to the recent campaign, the 27-year-old shortstop is focused on restoring the form that saw him collect 20+ and bat up to .306 in previous campaigns. With over 40 games remaining, Bichette still has time to surpass those past performances.
Encouragingly, he’s hitting well with runners on base — an area that could prove critical as Toronto battles for postseason seeding. He will be a key cog in the batting order.
Bo’s Big Series In Colorado:
🔹 7-for-17
🔹 .412 AVG
🔹 3 Multi-Hit Games
🔹 3 HR
🔹 10 RBI pic.twitter.com/p9GvNogwA9— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 7, 2025
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Shane Bieber, RHP
The Shane Bieber trade was the Blue Jays’ headline move at the 2025 MLB trade deadline, and with good reason.
A former Cy Young Award winner, Bieber has battled injuries over the past few years, missing all of this season outside of some minor league rehab games while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Still, his career numbers— 3.22 ERA, 3.09 FIP, 1.02 WHIP, and 958 strikeouts in 843 innings – highlight his potential impact.
In his first rehab outing with triple-A Buffalo, Bieber went five innings with six strikeouts, allowing two runs on five hits. It was a strong outing for Bieber and shows glimpses of what he is capable of, and if he can regain even a fraction of his 2022 form, the 30-year-old could provide the rotation with a much-needed boost.
The Jays have been seeking one more reliable starter, and Bieber’s upside could be pivotal down the stretch.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
If the Blue Jays are going to contend for a deep playoff run, they’ll need their stars to perform like stars. That especially applies to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who signed the largest contract in franchise history earlier this year.
Guerrero silenced some concerns about his power numbers during a scorching series at Coors Field, going .471 with two home runs and seven RBIs. Overall, he’s slashing .296/.398/.481 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs in 114 games — solid production, even if it doesn’t match his historic 2021 campaign or the back half of last season.
Even more encouraging: since the All-Star break (not including yesterday), he’s hit .378 with a 1.140 OPS, including six home runs, seven doubles, and 16 RBIs. Those numbers go up when you include the final game of the Rockies series, but it is encouraging to see Guerrero heating up in August.
Alejandro Kirk, C
A major difference-maker for Toronto this season has been the offensive resurgence of Alejandro Kirk.
After posting a .253/.319/.359 slash line last season, the 26-year-old Mexican catcher has found a new level in 2025, hitting .305/.363/.409 with seven home runs across 91 games.
Kirk’s elite pitch-framing and game-calling already made him a defensive asset. Now, with his bat finding consistency again, the Blue Jays boast one of the top-performing catching units in the majors when combined with Tyler Heineman. Kirk’s ability to make consistent contact and drive in runners with extra-base hits will be vital as Toronto gears up for tougher matchups.
As his nickname suggests, only Alejandro “Captain” Kirk can command the ship — and he’s doing just that in 2025 for the Blue Jays.
All Systems Go…to Atlanta ✈️
Captain Kirk’s an All-Star ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/7gSOVQdhXM
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 6, 2025
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Daulton Varsho, CF
Daulton Varsho’s 2025 season has been a roller coaster, thanks to a few injury stints.
While his offensive potential was a key reason Toronto acquired him, Varsho’s biggest value continues to be his elite defense. The 29-year-old finally received national recognition with his first Gold Glove last season and continues to anchor one of the best defensive outfields in baseball.
Lately, his bat has come alive at the right time. Since being activated from the IL, Varsho has collected five hits with three home runs and 10 RBIs over just four games. If he can approach the 27 home run mark he reached in 2022, he becomes the versatile “Swiss Army knife” Toronto needs in its playoff push, offering power, speed, and run prevention all in one.