Despite rising ticket prices and a relatively slow start, the Blue Jays have drawn a larger increase in attendance than any other team in Major League Baseball early this season.

The Blue Jays are fourth in average attendance in the majors, averaging nearly 40,000 fans per game to start the 2016 season.

The Jays were 21st at this point last year, drawing just 25,102 fans on a game-by-game basis.

The attendance increase of nearly 15,000 people represents the largest growth to start a season in franchise history.

On Monday, 24,333 fans witnessed the Jays' 7-5 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

Helped by a bobblehead promotion, the Jays drew 46,300 fans on Sunday for their fifth sellout crowd of the season.

Through 10 home games, the team has drawn 386,380 fans to the Rogers Centre, up 141,878 (or 58%) compared to the same stretch in 2015.

The Jays trail just the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants in average attendance this season, but lead the American League.

The early crowds this season don't surprise Jays manager John Gibbons.

"Since last August it's been like that, so that's when you go out and put on a good show," Gibbons said. "They've done their part, they've come out and they've been tremendous."

After the team's first playoff appearance in 22 years, the Jays raised regular ticket prices on average $3-$6 and premium tickets $4-$10 this season. It was just the second time in the last six seasons the team elevated their prices at the gates.

But last year's AL East championship has raised the level of excitement among Jays fans and they're willing to pay the extra money.

"A lot of hope and hype," said long-time fan Doug Noble, adjusting his Jays cap as his friends, all much younger than him, echoed his feeling.

"Hype and hope ... and I've followed this team from the beginning."