Best Blue Jays Seasons at Each Position

Some of the best Toronto Blue Jays seasons at each position overlap. Unsurprisingly, the successful teams of the early 1990s are represented, as are the contending teams of the mid-2010s. 

The nature of baseball means one spectacular individual season doesn’t necessarily have much of an impact on Blue Jays World Series odds, even if the player in question was among the baseball betting favourites for MVP. 

Greatest Seasons By Position in Blue Jays History

C: Alejandro Kirk, 2022 (4 bWAR)

A case can be made for Russell Martin’s 2015. Alejandro Kirk’s bWAR in 2022 was considerably higher, however, and he posted a 127 OPS+.

 Kirk was elite defensively as a blocker and framer and had a .372 OBP.

1B: John Olerud, 1993 (7.8 bWAR)

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the majors in home runs and led the AL in OPS in 2021, but he’s still beaten to the first base spot by John Olerud. 

The left-handed first baseman finished third in MVP voting in 1993, having led the majors in doubles and recorded a 186 OPS+. 

2B: Marcus Semien, 2021 (7.1 bWAR)

The Blue Jays couldn’t have asked for much more when they signed Marcus Semien as a free agent for the 2021 season. 

Semien finished third in AL MVP voting and won the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards. A tally of 45 home runs is the MLB record for the most by a second baseman in a season.

3B: Josh Donaldson, 2015 (7.4 bWAR)

Josh Donaldson won AL MVP in 2015 as the Jays won their first AL East title in 22 years. 

Having earned MVP votes in 2013 and 2014, Donaldson took his game to an even higher level after arriving in a blockbuster offseason trade. 

SS: Bo Bichette, 2021 (5.9 bWAR)

Bo Bichette’s first full big-league season was his best as a Blue Jay. Bichette was named an All-Star and received MVP votes in 2021. 

He led the American League in hits, along with 29 home runs and 25 stolen bases. 

LF: Reed Johnson, 2006 (5.1 bWAR)

Almost half of Reed Johnson’s career bWAR was amassed in the 2006 season. Johnson had a career-best .390 OBP, which was aided by leading the majors in HBPs. 

After a difficult 2007 campaign, he was released before the start of the 2008 season. 

CF: Lloyd Moseby, 1984 (7.3 bWAR)

In 1984, Lloyd Moseby made it consecutive seasons with MVP votes after leading the AL in triples and stealing 39 bases. 

Moseby had a higher OPS in 1983, but his bWAR was significantly greater in 1984. 

RF: José Bautista, 2011 (8.3 bWAR)

There were a few José Bautista seasons to choose from. He had great years in 2010 and 2014. 

The 2011 campaign was his best, however, as he had the best OPS in the majors and made it consecutive years as the big league’s home run leader.

DH: George Springer, 2025 (4.8 bWAR)

George Springer’s 96 OPS+ across the 2023 and 2024 seasons made him look like one of the worst contracts in baseball heading into 2025. 

Springer then had a career year at the plate with a 161 OPS+ and several big postseason moments. 

SP: Roger Clemens, 1997 (11.9 bWAR)

Roger Clemens’ 11.9 bWAR in 1997 is 3.3 more than any other Blue Jays pitcher has achieved. 

Clemens led the majors in innings pitched and FIP, and topped the American League in strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP. He had nine complete games and three shutouts.

RP: Duane Ward, 1991 (2.7 bWAR)

Duane Ward’s 1991 wasn’t his most productive season according to bWAR, but his 1.74 FIP was the best of his career, and he pitched 107.1 innings in relief across 81 appearances. 

A case can be made for his 45-save effort in 1993, Tom Henke’s 1989, or Mark Eichhorn’s 1986, but I am comfortable going with Ward’s 1991.