Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Vladimir Guerrero Ramos Jr. or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a notable figure in Major League Baseball (MLB), thanks to his significant contributions as a first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays. Born in Montreal on March 16, 1999, Guerrero Jr. is a dual Canadian-Dominican citizen, a status he acquired owing to his Canadian birthplace and Dominican lineage. He emerged in the professional baseball scene by making his major league debut in April 2019, demonstrating his expertise as a right-handed batter and thrower.

Before diving into his baseball career, it’s worth highlighting that Guerrero Jr.’s path to baseball stardom is deeply rooted in family traditions. He is the son of Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero and the nephew of former MLB player Wilton Guerrero. Despite his parents’ early separation, Guerrero Jr. benefited greatly from being surrounded by a supportive family. His training years involved shuttling between the United States, Don Gregorio, and Santiago, receiving training from his experts—his father and uncle, and gaining inspirations from their illustrious careers.

Guerrero Jr. was signed by the Blue Jays as an international free agent in 2015, and he made swift progress in his career. The year 2018 marked a significant milestone, with both Baseball America and USA Today naming him the Minor League Player of the Year. These accolades followed an impressive season in which he batted 0.381 with 20 home runs, 78 RBIs, and 38 strikeouts in 95 games.

Guerrero Jr.’s career trajectory continued to soar, and by 2021, he was leading the major leagues in several categories including home runs (48, a tie), runs scored (123), and total bases (363). His performance earned him a spot in the AL All-Star roster, an honor he topped by being voted MVP—the youngest to ever clinse that title in All-Star Game history. His 2021 performance was highly commended, landing him in second place in AL MVP votes for the season.

Although separated early from his father, Guerrero Jr. has maintained a significant connection with him that extends beyond their shared passion for baseball. The public caught a glimpse of their bond in 2003, during Vladimir Sr.’s final game for the Expos at Olympic Stadium. The team sent four-year-old Guerrero Jr., clad in a child-sized Expos uniform, to join his father on the field. The resulting photo of a young Guerrero Jr., helmet off and waving to the crowd, remains an iconic image in the sporting world.

Guerrero Jr.’s journey in the minor leagues was studded with numerous notable instances. After signing with Toronto on July 2, 2015, Guerrero’s talent swiftly propelled him through the ranks, making his professional baseball debut in 2016. His prowess on the field earned him the title of the top international free agent by Baseball America in 2015, shortly before he signed with Toronto Blue Jays.

His first taste of professional competition came in 2016 with Rookie Advanced Bluefield Blue Jays, and he unleashed his potential right from the start, hitting his first professional home run within a day of his debut. His outstanding showing in his first season earned him recognition as one of the top prospects heading into the 2017 minor league season.

Minor league seasons 2017 and 2018 saw Guerrero Jr. cementing his status as a top prospect. His time with the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts and the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats provided him with opportunities to showcase his skills, leading to his promotion to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in mid-2018. His exceptional performance made him a standout player, keeping him on everyone’s radar as a player to watch.

Despite sustaining an injury and spending time on the disabled list, Guerrero Jr.’s strong showing in 2019 invited questions about his inclusion in the Blue Jays’ Opening Day roster. Although he started the season in the minor leagues due to service time considerations, he was soon called up to the big league where he continued to impress with his performance.

Among his numerous accomplishments, his first career three-homer game stands out. It was in a match against the Washington Nationals on April 27, 2021, culminating with a grand slam against none other than Max Scherzer. His consistent brilliance on the pitch made him a finalist for the starting first base position at the 2021 All-Star Game in Colorado. The game saw him hitting a landmark 200th home run in All-Star Game history, a feat that named him the game’s Most Valuable Player, becoming the youngest All-Star Game MVP at age 22 and 119 days.

An essential part of Guerrero Jr.’s career apart from his unrivaled skills was his commitment to maintaining his fitness. He underwent a weight loss program in 2020, shedding 42 pounds, which considerably increased his agility on the field.

Finishing the 2021 season batting 0.311/.401/.601, Guerrero Jr. led the major league in home runs with Salvador Pérez (48), led in runs scored (123), showcasing that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of baseball. His career so far, although still in its early stages, is filled with remarkable highs, setting the stage for what promises to be an even brighter future in the sport.