Q&A with Barger: From scorching baseballs, playing guitar and lifting weights

We spoke with Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger about the steps he's taken during his breakout season and a number of other topics. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

theScore: What sort of adjustments have you made this campaign to find success?

Barger: I think a lot of it is just kind of going back to swinging how I have for my whole life, going back to my natural movement pattern, just getting comfortable and being confident at the big-league level more so than any big adjustments I've made.

theScore: What did you learn from your experiences in 2024 that's helped you this year?

Barger: I think just going back to confidence and being comfortable in the big leagues. Last year was tough. It was hard for me to get acclimated, and it took time. I think (the key) is just not taking it so seriously. Just realize it's the same baseball game as in the minors and even before that - it's just more of a mentality. Not putting too much pressure on yourself, not taking it too seriously - just being yourself.

theScore: How would you compare the walk-off homer you hit against the D-Backs to your first career game-winning home run against the Angels last August?

Barger: Both were pretty awesome feelings. The last one was late in the year, and we were pretty out of it. This one was probably a little more meaningful, but both were awesome.

theScore: We gotta talk about your Baseball Savant page. What's your secret behind hitting the ball so hard? Do you ever look at the page just for fun?

Barger: I don't look at my Baseball Savant page, but I've seen tweets about it and stuff. Dude, I don't know. The last five years, I've just swung a bat as hard as I can. Just trying to gain bat speed, and I think that's a big part of it. To hit the ball further, you have to swing the bat harder.

theScore: Your power isn't the only thing that grades highly, as your arm strength and range have been showcased in 2025. What have you been doing to improve in the field?

Barger: Growing up, I was always glove first. I didn't have any juice at the plate. I was always a glove-first guy (because) I had a good arm. I've just been trying to get acclimated to different positions like the outfield and third base because I came up as a shortstop. I think it's about getting more reps out there, and that's what's contributed to me getting better.

theScore: You were selected with the 176th pick in the 2018 draft. What's it like getting to the majors without being seen as a top prospect?

Barger: You have to prove yourself a lot. You have to put up numbers in the minor leagues. Everybody kind of knows that. I don't know how much I thought about not being a super high draft pick and making it to the big leagues. It's not really something I thought of. It's the same for everybody. You have to go through the minors and perform. I got that some guys get more opportunities, but if you perform, you will make it to the majors.

theScore: You're from Bellevue, Washington. Did it help you when you played in Single-A in Vancouver as a young professional in a different country?

Barger: I didn't live in Washington for long. I moved to Tampa Bay when I was five years old, but we would go back and forth. We would go back to Washington for the summers in the Everett area.

For sure. The (Northwest League) was actually a lot of fun. We played in Everett against the AquaSox. I actually used to go to games there when I was a kid. So, I was very familiar with the area. Even Vancouver, I've been there when I was younger. It was super cool to play in the Northwest. I saw a lot of family out there.

theScore: You've been described as a gym rat. What's your routine like? What's your bench press max?

Barger: My max isn't that impressive. The most I've ever done is 385 (pounds), which is decent, but I want to hit 405 one day. I do more power lifting kind of stuff. I like to bench (and) squat. I don't really do deadlifts anymore. My two big movements are bench and squat.

theScore: Time for the tough questions. I read you're pretty good at playing the guitar. Who's your favorite all-time guitarist? Do you have a fav song to play?

Barger: It might be basic, but I will go with Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin. Super basic, but who doesn't love Led Zeppelin? I can play "Stairway to Heaven," but I try to avoid it because everybody does it. (However), it was the first song I learned how to play.

My favorite song to play would be "Operator" by Jim Croce, which is more folky. Lots of guitar picking.

theScore: What type of guitars do you have?

Barger: I play the acoustic guitar. I have a Taylor right now, (but) I don't have it with me because it's at home in Florida. I have a couple acoustic guitars. I play the electric guitar a little bit and also play the ukulele. So, I have that with me. I travel with it because it's smaller, and it's so fun to rip, (but) I don't bring it to the clubhouse. I don't think that many people know that I play (because) I don't want to be put on the spot. I just do it at home.

theScore: If you could make up a band with current players on the Jays, who would be part of it? And what instruments would they play?

Barger: I would have Braydon Fisher as my singer. I feel like he can sing a little bit. I'm going to go with Myles Straw on the bass. I gotta have Alejandro Kirk on the drums. Let's go (with) Bo Bichette as the lead guitarist and another singer.

theScore: Finally, what would your dream job be if you weren't playing baseball?

Barger: Being a rockstar would be pretty sick. Being a guitarist in some famous band would be tough to beat. Probably doing that and lifting weights.