Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Addison Barger dazzled fans and teammates on April 18, 2025, by matching a team record with three outfield assists in a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Rogers Centre. Barger’s throws clocked at 98.8, 96.0, and 93.6 mph included the hardest outfield assist recorded in Major League Baseball this season.
Barger threw out Cal Raleigh at second base in the fourth inning and played a key role in trapping Randy Arozarena in a rundown between third and home. His highlight came in the fifth inning with a 98.8 mph rocket to third base that caught Rowdy Tellez trying to advance, marking the second-fastest outfield throw by a Blue Jays player since 2015.
“This wasn’t just great baseball, it was the best entertainment in the city,” said winning pitcher Bowden Francis, praising Barger’s arm strength and precision. Barger himself expressed surprise that Tellez attempted to tag up, noting, “I wasn’t even thinking about getting behind it because I knew Rowdy was on second.”
Barger’s three assists make him the first Blue Jays player to achieve such a feat since Rick Bosetti in 1979, and only the third in team history. His exceptional arm has been a weapon since his days in Triple-A Buffalo, and he continues to impress with both power and accuracy.
This defensive clinic helped stifle the Mariners’ momentum and secured a crucial win for Toronto, highlighting Barger as one of MLB’s most exciting young talents in 2025.
