- José Bautista has the highest bWAR of any hitter in Blue Jays history.
- Fred McGriff has the highest OPS+ of any Blue Jays position player.
- Carlos Delgado has hit the most homers as a Blue Jay.
The best hitters in Toronto Blue Jays history have often been among the MLB odds favourites to win the MVP. While only two Jays have won the award, countless others have received votes over the years.
Metrics like wRC+ and OPS+ can give an overall evaluation of a hitter, but these rankings require plenty of comparison across different statistical categories. I considered team success, longevity, and peak performance.
10 Best Toronto Blue Jays Hitters
| Rank | Player | Blue Jays Years |
| 1 | Jose Bautista | 2008-2017 |
| 2 | Carlos Delgado | 1993-2004 |
| 3 | Fred McGriff | 1986-1990 |
| 4 | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | 2019-Present |
| 5 | Josh Donaldson | 2015-2018 |
| 6 | Edwin Encarnacion | 2009-2016 |
| 7 | Paul Molitor | 1993-1995 |
| 8 | John Olerud | 1989-1996 |
| 9 | Otto Velez | 1977-1982 |
| 10 | Bo Bichette | 2019-Present |
1. José Bautista
One of the best Toronto Blue Jays of all time, José Bautista has the joint-fourth best OPS+ in franchise history. Baseball odds frequently priced Bautista among the favourites to lead the league in homers, and with good reason.
He led the majors in homers in 2010 and 2011. A top-four finisher in MVP voting in each of those seasons, Bautista was in the heart of the Toronto lineup for their consecutive runs to the ALCS.
2. Carlos Delgado
The franchise leader for most home runs in Toronto Blue Jays history, total bases, OPS, and doubles, Carlos Delgado was a guarantee to make the top three on this list. Delgado is also third in OPS+, and recorded two top-four MVP finishes during his time in Toronto.
A strong case can be made to have Delgado No. 1, but Bautista’s production on postseason teams just about gives him the edge.
3. Fred McGriff
Despite playing just five seasons in Toronto, I feel pretty comfortable having Fred McGriff in third. His 153 OPS+ is the best in franchise history – he led the American League in homers and OPS+ in 1989.
If he wasn’t traded to the Padres for Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter in 1990, McGriff might have been in the top spot here.
4. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Perhaps it’s a bit early to include Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the top four. On the other hand, Guerrero has the fifth-best season in franchise history by OPS, is top 10 in homers, and has one of the longest home runs in Toronto Blue Jays history.
There’s an element of projection by having Guerrero this high. His production has fluctuated a bit over the last couple of years. Still, he will smash all the franchise records if he extends with the Jays.
5. Josh Donaldson
One of two MVPs in Blue Jays history, Josh Donaldson’s OPS+ is only bettered by Fred McGriff. Donaldson was among the premier hitters in the sport during his stint with the Jays.
The @BlueJays can mash, eh?
Donaldson: http://t.co/whHOQTMar6
Joey Bats: http://t.co/olwWsQb6N8 pic.twitter.com/FqxCbgnDZc
— MLB (@MLB) August 1, 2015
With a great eye and big-time pop, the former Athletic led the team in bWAR in 2015 and 2016.
6. Edwin Encarnación
With the same OPS+ as Bautista and the third-most homers, sixth might be a bit harsh on Edwin Encarnación. All three of his All-Star selections were earned during his time with the Blue Jays.
Between 2012 and 2016, the Dominican averaged a whopping 38.6 homers per season. Often underrated, he was one of the top designated hitters in the league.
7. Paul Molitor
Winner of the 1993 World Series MVP award, Paul Molitor arrived in Toronto for his age-36 season but still had a massively productive time with the Jays.
Molitor finished runner-up in MVP voting in 1993 before a 138 OPS+ in the following year. His .315 batting average is the best in franchise history.
8. John Olerud
John Olerud won two World Series with the Blue Jays. He also had his best season in the victorious 1993 campaign, posting a 186 OPS+ and finishing third in MVP voting.
Olerud has the best on-base percentage in franchise history and holds multiple single-season Blue Jays records. Just five players have a better OPS+.
9. Otto Vélez
With only 9.9 career bWAR, Otto Vélez doesn’t have the most eye-catching Baseball Reference page. Vélez’s 127 OPS+ as a Blue Jay tells a different story.
Playing in the franchise’s formative years, Vélez was one of Toronto’s better players after being picked up from the Yankees in the expansion draft.
10. Bo Bichette
The American League leader in hits in back-to-back years, Bo Bichette also received MVP votes in his first three full seasons.
The Orlando native has 20-homer power to go with his elite contact-hitting skills. He’s 10th in OPS+ at the time of writing and is bound to climb these rankings in the coming years.