George Springer’s Power Surge Fuels Blue Jays’ 2024 Playoff Push

When George Springer, the 35‑year‑old outfielder and designated hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays, stepped up to the plate on a bright June afternoon, something clicked – the ball was leaving his bat faster than it has in any of his eleven MLB seasons.

The uptick isn’t a fluke. Davy Andrews, a Brooklyn‑based writer for FanGraphs, broke down the numbers and found a striking pattern: a 45.1% hard‑hit rate, a 90.1 mph average exit velocity, and a soft‑contact percentage that dropped to an all‑time low of 13%.

All of this is happening during the 2024 MLB season, a year in which the Blue Jays sit atop the American League East with a 94‑68 record, according to the latest ESPN standings.

Why Springer's Numbers Matter This Year

Springer’s career has been a roller‑coaster of highs and lows. Drafted in the first round by the Houston Astros in 2011, he burst onto the scene with a World Series MVP trophy in 2017. Yet, after signing with Toronto in 2021, his production dipped, sparking doubts about his longevity.

Now, the data tells a different story. Andrews notes that while Springer’s 90th‑percentile exit velocity sits at 105.7 mph – not a career‑record – the consistency of his hard‑hit balls has surged, suggesting he’s eliminating the weak contact that once dragged his BABIP down.

Statistical Deep Dive: Hard‑Hit Rate, Exit Velocity, and Bat Speed

• Hard‑hit rate: 45.1% (career‑best)
• Average exit velocity: 90.1 mph (career‑best)
• 90th‑percentile exit velocity: 105.7 mph (steady from 2022‑23)
• Soft contact: 13% of balls in play (lowest ever)
• Bat speed: 73.1 mph in 2024 vs. 71.9 mph in 2023

What’s fascinating is the underlying swing mechanics. Andrews points out that Springer’s bat path now meets the ball farther out in front, giving him a fraction more loft and a tighter launch angle. In plain English, he’s “catching up to velocity” – a subtle tweak that turns borderline hits into line drives.

What the Data Says About Longevity

Age‑related decline is a hard reality in baseball, but Springer's profile defies the typical curve. He’s not suddenly crushing 120‑mph rockets; instead, he’s sharpening contact quality, a move that tends to be more sustainable than pure power spikes.

Andrews cautions that no streak lasts forever. “His BABIP will probably change,” the analyst writes, “but a faster swing, a newfound ability to catch up to velocity, and better plate discipline can’t be anything other than good news.” In other words, even if his luck evens out, the underlying skill upgrades should keep him productive.

Reactions from the Club, Teammates, and Analysts

Blue Jays manager John Schneider praised the veteran’s effort in a post‑game press conference: “George’s work ethic is contagious. When you see him swing with that confidence, the whole lineup feeds off it.”

Teammate outfielder Kevin Kiermaier added, “He’s making the ball go where we want it to go. It’s scary for pitchers when you see a slugger who can also put the ball where you can’t get the ball out of the park.”

Analyst Jeff Passan of ESPN echoed the sentiment, noting that Springer's resurgence could push Toronto’s win‑probability above 70% for the remainder of the season.

What This Could Mean for the Blue Jays’ Playoff Push

If Springer continues to put the ball in play at this rate, the Blue Jays may lock up the AL East well before the final series. His ability to drive in runs from the middle of the order, combined with a healthier RBI‑to‑walk ratio, grants the club a safety net against injuries to younger hitters.

Moreover, the veteran’s presence eases the pressure on rising star Jesse Barfield, who can now focus on developing his own power without the lineup feeling thin.

In the postseason, a hot Spring­er could be the X‑factor against a tough AL Central opponent. The Yankees, Mariners, and Guardians all feature pitchers who love to exploit swing‑and‑miss hitters – a scenario where Springer's refined contact would be a prized asset.

Key Takeaways

• Springer's hard‑hit rate and exit velocity are at career highs, driven by swing adjustments rather than raw power spikes.
• Soft contact plummeted to 13%, the lowest point of his career, indicating cleaner contact.
• Bat speed rose modestly, supporting the narrative of a more efficient swing.
• analysts see the improvements as sustainable, albeit with an expected regression in luck.
• The Blue Jays’ playoff odds improve considerably with his resurgence.