Bo Bichette, shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays, has demonstrated a notable comeback in his 2025 season performance after an injury-plagued 2024. Following a difficult previous year marked by calf injuries and poor offensive output, Bichette’s resurgence in power and contact skills indicates a return to his established high level of play. This improvement has been evident in his overall statistics and may signal regained MVP-caliber potential moving forward.
Analyzing the Decline and Subsequent Recovery in Bichette’s Batting
Leading up to the 2025 season, Bichette’s value was a subject of debate due to his sharp decline in production during 2024. His batting average plummeted to .225 with only four home runs in 81 games, generating widespread concerns about whether these numbers were a result of skill loss or lingering injuries. Prior to that downturn, Bichette was recognized for elite batting averages combined with 20-home-run power seasons, earning him two All-Star appearances and topping the American League in hits twice.
His performance slump was characterized by a dip in key metrics related to quality of contact. Although his airborne percentage (AIR%) aligned with career norms, he recorded a career-low barrel rate and a drop in average exit velocity, which contributed to a markedly reduced batting average on balls in play (BABIP) far below his usual .330 range. This statistical anomaly suggested his poor results were more about diminished contact quality than luck or strikeout frequency, as his strikeout rate remained stable.
Statistical Indicators Confirm Bichette’s Revival
In the current 2025 campaign, Bichette’s metrics resemble those from his peak years. His barrel rate and hard-hit rate have rebounded to prior levels, and his expected batting average (xBA) sits at a promising .307. With eight home runs already, he appears on track for a typical 18-homer season, maintaining respectable power. Notably, his contact and strikeout rates are among the best of his career, underscoring an improvement in both bat control and plate discipline.
Despite his current batting average of .268 falling slightly short of his historical standard, analysts expect it to rise due to positive regression. However, his speed has declined, suggesting that the stolen base totals familiar to fans may no longer be a significant part of his game. Overall, Bichette’s resurgence represents a return to form that fantasy managers and Blue Jays supporters can rely on through the rest of the year.
Jo Adell’s Power Display Tempered by Inconsistent Contact
Meanwhile, outfielder Jo Adell of the Los Angeles Angels continues to showcase tremendous raw power in 2025, highlighted by a burst of seven home runs in his last 14 games. Adell’s 13 home runs this season have impressive average distances around 411 feet, reflecting elite bat speed and exit velocity, with a recorded maximum exit velocity of 117.2 mph—an indicator of his immense potential.
Despite his power output, Adell’s struggle with contact remains a barrier to consistent production. His plate discipline metrics reveal a league-average approach to pitch selection, negating the idea that his elevated strikeouts are due to poor decisions early in counts. Yet, his high whiff and strikeout rates persist, limiting his batting average to .207 through 130 games last year and similarly disappointing results in 2025.
Additionally, Adell has failed to match his power with consistent “square” contact or optimal launch angles, which restrains his game power impact. Comparing him to players like Austin Riley, Riley Greene, and Luis Robert Jr., who have successfully melded raw power with acceptable contact rates, it becomes clear that Adell’s inability to regularly connect well reduces his overall effectiveness. His high chase rate further exposes him to pitchers exploiting this flaw, diminishing his offensive threat.
This profile suggests that while Adell exhibits flashes of brilliance, his ability to sustain a breakout remains questionable without marked improvements in either contact rate, launch angle optimization, or plate discipline.
Alejandro Kirk’s Offensive Revival Driven by Enhanced Bat Speed
On the Toronto Blue Jays’ roster, catcher Alejandro Kirk has emerged as a bright spot following his recent contract extension worth $58 million over five years. After setbacks in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Kirk has reignited his offensive contributions in 2025, batting an impressive .316 with a 122 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) over 58 games. His resurgence elevates the Blue Jays’ offensive flexibility and offers fantasy managers a reliable source of production behind the plate.
Kirk has long been noted for exceptional contact abilities, with consistently low strikeout rates around 10%, ranking him among the best in making contact. Despite a slight reduction in his in-zone contact rate this season, his out-of-zone contact remains well above average, enabling him to offset some aggressiveness at the plate. Although his walk rate remains modest, his plate discipline has improved to the extent that he has recorded more walks than strikeouts since early May.
The key difference between this season and his prior years is a significant increase in bat speed and exit velocity. He ranks fifth among qualified hitters for the largest improvement in average exit velocity between 2024 and 2025, demonstrating a faster swing and increased ability to drive the ball. This jump has translated to a 98th percentile hard-hit rate, supporting his success in driving offense efficiently with a balanced launch angle and contact quality.
Implications for the Toronto Blue Jays and Fantasy Baseball
The 2025 season thus far paints an encouraging picture for the Toronto Blue Jays, with Bo Bichette and Alejandro Kirk both showing the kind of performances that can propel the team forward. Bichette’s return to robust contact and power signals a stabilization of the Blue Jays’ lineup, while Kirk’s newfound bat speed and consistent contact enhance their offensive depth behind the plate.
For fantasy baseball managers, these developments offer reassurances for players who might otherwise be considered risky due to recent underperformance or injury. Bichette’s “Bo Time” seems to have arrived again, as his stats suggest a legitimate return to productivity capable of influencing MVP conversations. Kirk, meanwhile, provides a rare combination of elite contact and emerging power, making him a valuable asset in hitting-focused leagues.
Conversely, the struggles faced by Jo Adell highlight the challenges that come with high-variance hitters possessing elite raw tools but inconsistent overall game execution. Continued exposure to pitchers who exploit his contact weaknesses may limit his ability to sustain current hot streaks into long-term success.
Going forward, Blue Jays fans and fantasy managers alike will closely monitor Bichette’s ability to maintain his enhanced contact and power production as the season progresses. Meanwhile, Kirk’s surprising turnaround and Adell’s quest for consistency remain compelling storylines shaping the landscape of the 2025 MLB season.