Normal Aging Trends in Baseball
The following represents a typical aging curve, focusing on George Springer’s career from 2014 to 2024. This timeframe includes his entire tenure with the Houston Astros and his first four years with the Toronto Blue Jays after signing a six-year, $150 million deal in 2021. The stats shown illustrate his OPS+, with 100 being the league average for those specific years.
Consistent Performance and the Aging Curve
Throughout his career, Springer has been a reliable performer, but he turned 33 in the 2023 season and will turn 34 the following year. This is typically when high-level hitters begin to show a decline. When the Jays signed Springer, they anticipated continued success early in the contract, which occurred initially, although he dealt with various leg injuries.
Expected Decline and Current Performance
While the decline might seem to be occurring slightly earlier than expected, it is on par with typical trends for players in his position. In his first two seasons with Toronto, Springer remained a strong offensive contributor. By 2023, he was performing at league-average, and projections for 2025 suggested a modest rebound to average metrics, consistent with historical patterns.
Surprising Performance in 2025
However, Springer’s current performance defies those expectations. As of his latest game against the White Sox, his batting line is .276/.368/.503, leading to a 140 OPS+, which is his highest since 2019. He’s become the top hitter for a highly successful Blue Jays team currently on a nine-game winning streak, distinguishing himself as the best player aged 35 or older in the league this season.
Addressing Past Weaknesses
In terms of metrics, Springer has shown significant improvement from previous years. His OPS has surged, primarily due to a notable reduction in ground balls and an increase in barrel rates. These improvements indicate that he’s hitting the ball harder and elevating it more, demonstrating a clear strategy shift in his approach at the plate.
Adjusting Hitting Strategy
As the season began, both Springer and the coaching staff focused on a plan to enhance his offensive impact. Manager John Schneider emphasized that Springer needed to adopt a more aggressive and intentional swing. This was highlighted by a conscious effort to refrain from swinging at pitches that he couldn’t drive effectively, which had hurt his performance in the previous season.
Looking Ahead: Adapting to Age
At 35, Springer has already adjusted his game, moving from center field to right and splitting time at designated hitter to reduce stress on his legs. Despite these changes, his turnaround this season has been remarkable, clarifying that by reassessing his hitting approach, he has managed to counter the natural aging curve. The question remains how sustainable this performance will be as he continues to age.
