Toronto Blue Jays rookie is also an amateur weatherman

The Toronto Blue Jays are currently sitting just two and a half games out of an American League wild card spot, and one recent unsung hero is leading the team's playoff push.

Brett Bateman, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for Kevin Gausman, has recorded hits in four of his five games since being called up on Aug. 7.

His red-hot play has also helped Toronto win four of its last five games and has brought them back into the playoff picture.

Besides Bateman's stellar play on the field, he has also become a fan favourite for this unusual passion off the field: meteorology.

Speaking with Lindsay Dunn of the Nation Network before Monday's game against the Boston Red Sox, Bateman said tracking the weather just happens to be a hobby of his and something he studied during his time at the University of Minnesota.

"A lot of my former teammates would come up to me after seeing rain on the weather apps, asking me to give them the report and the chances that we will play," said Bateman.

When Dunn asked Bateman about his accuracy, he estimated that he was somewhere around 90 per cent accurate during his four seasons in the minor leagues. He followed that statement up in Ron Burgundy fashion, saying that he didn't want to brag.

"I do have a very big hobby for weather. I went to school for it, and took a few classes for it," Bateman said. "It's just something that's pretty important in baseball."

The Blue Jays rookie won't have to worry too much about the weather during home games, considering the Rogers Centre is one of eight MLB ballparks with a roof.

Bateman has also been making the most of his time in Toronto since arriving in the city for the first time on Sunday.

"I've been out every morning and gone to different coffee shops since I've been here," he told Sportsnet's Hazel Mae following Tuesday's 5-3 win.

"I've been embraced." 🥲

Brett Bateman chats with @thehazelmae after a big @BlueJays win over the Red Sox, where the rookie had two RBIs 👇 pic.twitter.com/QgKy8M3APU

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 12, 2026

"I still have to go up the [CN] Tower; it's a staple... So far, I've had a great time exploring."

If his play continues to keep a beat-up Toronto roster in this playoff race, he'll surely have plenty of more time to explore the city in the coming weeks. Maybe even becoming the team's resident weatherman.