In the middle of a lot of disappointment this season was the surprising output from Justin Smoak. The first baseman set personal bests in nearly every category, slashing .270/.355/.529 with 38 home runs and 90 RBI. The 38 home runs set a new Blue Jays single season mark by a switch-hitter, passing Jose Cruz Jr’s previous mark of 34.
His batting average was 31 points higher than his previous best, and Smoak had never hit more than 20 home runs and 59 RBI before, so the leap was substantial. He started the season hitting mostly 6th or 7th, and ended up hitting in the heart of the order throughout most of the year once he was moved.