Even with a .792 OPS against right-handed pitching and five home runs in his last 15 games, Davis Schneider sat out the Toronto Blue Jays’ Sunday matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers, as right-hander Tyler Glasnow took the mound. It’s a decision that feels increasingly outdated — not because Schneider is struggling, but because he’s thriving. The 26-year-old left fielder, a native of New Jersey, has quietly become one of the most dangerous hitters in the American League, yet the Blue Jays still treat him like a platoon player. Here’s the thing: he’s no longer just a specialist. He’s becoming indispensable.
Why Bench a Hitter Who’s Crushing Righties?
For years, Schneider was viewed as a lefty-only weapon. His swing, with its short, violent path, was thought to struggle against high-velocity right-handers. But the numbers don’t lie. In 2025, he’s hitting .254/.373/.500 with an .873 OPS and 10 home runs overall — and against right-handed pitchers? A .792 OPS that outpaces the league average for corner outfielders. Over his last 15 games, he’s slashed .341/.400/.756. That’s not a hot streak. That’s a transformation.
His two-homer game against the
Minnesota Twins wasn’t just powerful — it was historic. One blast, launched at a 45-degree angle, barely cleared the Rogers Centre roof. It’s tied for the highest launch angle of any Blue Jays homer in the Statcast era. The other? 388 feet at 105 mph. His third multi-homer game of the season. And still, he was benched Sunday.
Manager John Schneider’s Dilemma
Blue Jays manager
John Schneider (no relation) has noticed. "He’s been crushing both righties and lefties, with a whole lot of power too," he told reporters earlier in August. The evidence is mounting. In ALCS Game 2 on August 17, Schneider started in left field against the
Seattle Mariners — his first postseason start against a right-hander. He batted eighth, replacing an injured Anthony Santander. It wasn’t a token appearance. It was a statement.
The shift didn’t happen overnight. In the ALDS against the
New York Yankees, Schneider had started twice — both times against left-handers. But by Game 2 of the ALCS, the team trusted him against righties. That’s progress. And it’s not just the homers. His walk rate has climbed to 12.4% this season. He’s making hard contact. He’s working counts. He’s no longer just waiting for the perfect pitch — he’s dictating the at-bat.
The Bigger Picture: A Lineup Evolving
Schneider’s rise is happening alongside other key developments.
George Springer, 36, is hitting .959 OPS — third-best in MLB, behind only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. His presence in the lineup forces pitchers to think twice before pitching around
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.. That creates more fastballs for Schneider, more hittable pitches in the zone. It’s a ripple effect.
And the pitching staff? Veterans like
Kevin Gausman,
Chris Bassitt, and
Jeff Hoffman have stabilized the back end. The Blue Jays aren’t just surviving late innings — they’re winning them. That’s why Schneider’s bat matters more than ever. In a tight playoff race, you don’t bench a guy who’s hitting .756 slugging percentage.
What’s Next? The Case for Everyday Play
The Blue Jays are one win away from the World Series. And Schneider? He’s not just a bench bat anymore. He’s a potential cleanup hitter. He’s a guy who can change a game with one swing — whether it’s against a lefty or righty. The team’s reluctance to start him daily feels less like strategy and more like habit.
His own words after hitting a leadoff homer off Blake Snell say it all: "Getting two off of him early is so big." He doesn’t just want to hit — he wants to set the tone. And with his confidence growing, the question isn’t whether he deserves to start. It’s why the team is still hesitating.
Behind the Numbers: The Data That Can’t Be Ignored
-
2025 OPS vs. Righties: .792 (up from .581 in 2024)
-
Last 15 games: .341/.400/.756, 5 HR, 12 RBI
-
Season total: .254/.373/.500, .873 OPS, 10 HR
-
Launch angle of record homer: 45 degrees (tied for highest in Blue Jays Statcast history)
-
Exit velocity on second homer: 105 mph
-
Postseason starts vs. right-handers: 1 (ALCS Game 2, August 17, 2025)
He’s not a platoon player. He’s a power bat. And if the Blue Jays want to go deep in October, they need to treat him like one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Davis Schneider still being benched against right-handers?
Despite his .792 OPS against right-handers and five home runs in his last 15 games, the Blue Jays continue a traditional platoon strategy rooted in past performance. Schneider’s 2024 numbers were weaker against righties, but his 2025 surge — including a record-setting 45-degree launch angle homer — suggests the team’s approach is outdated. Manager John Schneider has given him more looks lately, but full-time playing time hasn’t followed.
How does Schneider’s performance compare to other Blue Jays hitters?
Schneider’s .873 OPS this season trails only George Springer (.959) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. among Blue Jays regulars. His .756 slugging percentage over the last 15 games is higher than any other Toronto hitter during that span. His power numbers — including three multi-homer games — now rival those of established sluggers in the league, making his benching increasingly hard to justify.
What was significant about Schneider’s home run against the Twins?
One of his two homers against Minnesota had a 45-degree launch angle — the highest recorded for any Blue Jays home run in the Statcast era (since 2015). The ball barely cleared the Rogers Centre roof, a feat rarely seen in the park’s modern history. The second homer traveled 388 feet at 105 mph exit velocity, showcasing his rare combination of power and timing. Both were against right-handed pitching.
Has Schneider ever started against a right-hander in the postseason before?
Yes — in ALCS Game 2 on August 17, 2025, Schneider started in left field against the Seattle Mariners’ right-handed pitcher, marking his first postseason start against a right-hander. Previously, he had only started in the ALDS against left-handers. That shift signaled the team’s growing trust in his ability to handle righties under pressure — a sign his role may be permanently changing.
What’s the impact of George Springer on Schneider’s at-bats?
Springer’s .959 OPS forces pitchers to respect the top of the lineup, which opens up the zone for Schneider. Opposing teams can’t pitch around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. without risking Springer or Schneider, creating more hittable pitches. Schneider has said he’s seeing more fastballs in key counts since Springer’s emergence, which has directly contributed to his improved contact rate and power numbers.
What does Schneider’s future look like in the Blue Jays lineup?
If the Blue Jays reach the World Series, Schneider is likely to start every game regardless of pitcher handedness. His recent performance, postseason experience, and growing confidence suggest he’s no longer a situational hitter — he’s a core piece. With his power, plate discipline, and clutch hitting, he could be the team’s everyday left fielder for years to come, especially if management drops the outdated platoon mindset.
Write a comment