Blue Jays’ Barger Emerges in Breakout Season Amid Playoff Push

The Toronto Blue Jays have seen a breakout season from slugger Addison Barger, who overcame a challenging start to become a key contributor in the lineup with eight home runs, trailing only a few teammates. Barger credits his success to simplifying his swing, maintaining confidence, and the trust shown by manager John Schneider, who moved him to a prominent batting position between top hitters Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers are focusing on developing catching prospect Dalton Rushing by pairing him with elite pitchers like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to accelerate his growth in game strategy and situational baseball. Oakland Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson attributes part of his exceptional hitting performance and quick decision-making to playing video games like Fortnite, which he believes helps train his mental acuity on the field. These stories reflect how confidence, mentorship, and unconventional training methods are shaping the careers of rising MLB talents in 2025.