Opinion: Blue Jays will miss outfielder Joey Loperfido

Joey Loperfido (Facebook)

There was an intriguing trade between the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays this month. The Houston Astros traded outfielder Jesus Sanchez of Higuey, Dominican Republic to the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Joey Loperfido of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania according to Shi Davidi of Rogers Sportsnet.

This is actually Loperfido’s second time in Houston. He played 38 games with them in 2024 before he was traded to the Blue Jays for pitcher Yusei Kikuchi.

After having a batting average of .214 with the Astros and Blue Jays in 2024, what we saw from Loperfido in 2025 was fantastic. In my opinion, he is a better outfielder than Daulton Varsho, who inexplicably is loved by Blue Jays management.

In analyzing offensive statistics, I emphasize batting average over slugging statistics.

Loperfido may not have great power (only four home runs in 104 plate appearances), but hit the baseball with great consistency in 2025, as he had 32 hits in 96 at bats for an impressive batting average of .333. During 41 games, Loperfido scored 12 runs, and had 32 hits, four doubles, one stolen base, four walks, 48 total bases, one sacrifice bunt, an on base percentage of .379 and slugging percentage of.500. Loperfido’s stolen base came in a 6-2 Blue Jays win over the Detroit Tigers on July 25, and his sacrifice bunt came in a 4-2 Blue Jays win over the Kansas City Royals on August 2.

Sanchez does not improve the Blue Jays. Last year while with the Astros, he only batted .199. While with the Miami Marlins and Astros last season, Sanchez batted .237 (almost 100 points lower than Loperfido) with 14 home runs and 48 runs batted in. During 134 games, 451 at bats and 497 plate appearances, he scored 61 runs, and had 107 hits, 21 doubles, four triples, 13 stolen bases, 42 walks, 178 total bases, two sacrifice flies, an on base percentage of .304 and a slugging percentage of .395.