The best hitters in Toronto Blue Jays history have been among the favourites to win MVP in MLB odds. 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.
Who Are the 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 | George Springer | 2021-Present |
| 10 | Bo Bichette | 2019-25 |
1. José Bautista
One of the most iconic Blue Jays of all time, José Bautista is tied for the 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 in homers, 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 am 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.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is going to crush all of Delgado’s franchise records. He’s already eighth in hits and seventh in home runs, and he’s under contract until the end of the 2039 season.
It’s a matter of time until Guerrero passes McGriff on this list. A case can be made to have Guerrero in the top three already, but he’s 17 points behind McGriff in OPS+. Barring major injury, Guerrero will be the greatest Blue Jay in franchise history by the time he retires.
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.
With a great eye and big-time pop, the former Athletic led the team in bWAR in 2015 and 2016. Delgado is the only Jay to average fewer at-bats per home run.
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, then posted an OPS+ of 138 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 an OPS+ of 186 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. George Springer
Tied for the 10th-best OPS+ as a Blue Jay, George Springer’s legacy is far more than his stats. The former Houston Astro consistently delivered in big moments in Toronto’s run to the 2025 World Series, including three home runs in the ALCS and some clutch at-bats in the Fall Classic.
Springer had a .959 OPS with 32 home runs in the 2025 regular season. Another season like that could see him overtake Olerud and Molitor in these rankings. For now, I’m comfortable having Springer in ninth.
10. Bo Bichette
Along with leading the American League in hits in consecutive years, Bo Bichette received MVP votes in each of his first three full seasons.
He’s only 16th in hits and 15th in OPS, however, and left the Blue Jays in free agency after the 2025 season. It’s hard to know how to evaluate Bichette’s career in Toronto – Roberto Alomar and George Bell also had strong arguments to make the top 10.
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