Declining or slumping?: Blue Jays' George Springer experimenting with ways to produce more bat speed

Aaron Boone strolled out of the dugout Thursday night, determined to follow the scouting report. The New York Yankees' manager motioned for a pitching change with Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer scheduled to bat next.

Trailing 1-0 in the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium, Boone called on fireballer Camilo Doval, intending to overpower the slumping four-time All-Star.

Opposing MLB reports indicated Springer's bat speed appeared to be slowing. On fastballs that reached at least 95 mph, he was hitting .129. Battling injuries this season, Springer entered Thursday batting .198 with three home runs and nine RBI in 30 games.

His lack of production also prompted some insiders to question whether Springer, at age 36, is enduring a season-long slump or if his skills are beginning to decline.

In the seventh inning Thursday, Springer benefitted from a recent batting-stance alteration, connecting on his second home run of the four-game series. 

Is he signaling a second-quarter resurgence?

A recent alteration to his batting stance could provide an answer. 

Battling injuries, slump, George Springer powers Blue Jays

Coming off possibly his best campaign in 2025, Springer helped guide the Blue Jays to the AL pennant, collecting 32 home runs and 84 RBI. This season opened with Springer fracturing his left big toe April 11, costing him a few weeks on the sidelines. 

Since returning, though, Springer appeared to have lost a step as he attempts to manage lingering foot pain. Opening the season with a more upright stance, his offensive metrics tanked. 

Throughout his 13-year career, Springer often utilized his leg strength to generate power in his swing. Over the past few weeks, Springer experimented with a more compact stance, focusing on his leg drive to increase his swing speed.

By making the pitching change in the seventh, most analysts expected Boone to instruct Doval to challenge Springer with fastballs and hard sinkers. Instead, Doval offered four sliders during the five-pitch at-bat. He didn't deceive Springer, who caught up to an 88-mph spinner, providing an insurance run in the 2-0 victory. 

Before the homer, though, Springer struck out twice Thursday. He also hit into a double play, ending the ninth.  

The former World Series MVP may have been hampered by injuries this season, but with his experience, he likely will continue experimenting with different batting stances to generate additional bat speed.