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Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
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Vladimir Guerrero Ramos[b] (born March 16, 1999) is a Dominican-Canadian professional baseball first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2019 and bats and throws right-handed. Guerrero is the son of Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr.
Key Information
Born in Montreal, Quebec, Guerrero was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent in 2015. In 2018, he was named Minor League Player of the Year by both Baseball America and USA Today after batting .381 with 20 home runs, 78 runs batted in (RBI), and 38 strikeouts in 95 games. In 2021, he led the MLB in home runs (48, tied), runs scored (123), and total bases (363), while earning his first All-Star Game selection and winning the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, becoming the youngest player to do so. He also finished second in American League (AL) MVP voting that season. Since 2021, Guerrero has appeared in five All-Star Games, been selected three times to the All-MLB First Team, and won two Silver Slugger Awards and one Gold Glove Award as a first baseman.
Early life
[edit]Guerrero is the son of Vladimir Guerrero Sr. and the nephew of former MLB player Wilton Guerrero.[1] He was born in Montreal, during his father's tenure with the Montreal Expos, which granted him Canadian citizenship.[2] After his parents separated when he was very young, he moved with his mother, Riquelma Ramos, to Santiago in the Dominican Republic.[3][4][5] Throughout his childhood, Guerrero split his time living with his mother in Santiago, with his uncle Wilton in Don Gregorio, and spent summers with his father in the United States.[2]
In 2003, during his final game for the Expos at Olympic Stadium, Guerrero's father received a standing ovation. Four-year-old Guerrero, dressed in an Expos uniform, joined his father on the field. His father instructed him to remove his helmet and wave to the crowd, creating a moment that has been widely recognized as an iconic photograph.[2]
Guerrero was introduced to baseball by his uncle Wilton, who played a crucial role in his development in the sport. Guerrero has credited Wilton for teaching him the fundamentals of baseball and guiding his practice from a young age, stating, "I think everything I've learned in baseball has been from him. I've been practicing with him since I was five. He's the one who taught me to practice well and guided me to where I am."[2]
Professional career
[edit]Minor leagues
[edit]In 2015, Baseball America ranked Guerrero as the top international free agent,[6] and MLB.com ranked him the fourth-best.[7] He signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on July 2, 2015, for $3.9 million at age 16.[8][9] He was assigned to extended spring training camp to open the 2016 minor league season.[10] He made his professional baseball debut with the Rookie Advanced Bluefield Blue Jays on June 23.[11] Guerrero hit his first professional home run on June 24, a two-run shot in a 4–2 loss to the Bristol Pirates.[12] On August 12, he recorded his first multi-home run game, hitting two solo shots in an 18–5 win against the Pulaski Yankees.[13] Later in August, he was named the Appalachian League's postseason All-Star at third base.[14] Guerrero played in 62 games in 2016, and hit .271 with eight home runs, 46 runs batted in (RBI), and 15 stolen bases.[15][16] On January 24, 2017, MLB named Guerrero the third best prospect at third base.[17]

Guerrero opened the 2017 minor league season with the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts. On April 7, against the Great Lakes Loons, he hit his first home run of the season.[18][19] He was named a Midwest League All-Star on June 7,[20] and on June 29, he was named to the World team roster for the 2017 All-Star Futures Game.[21] On July 6, the Blue Jays announced Guerrero would be promoted to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays following the Futures Game.[22] Against the Clearwater Threshers on August 31, Guerrero hit a home run to give the Blue Jays a 5–3 win, clinching Dunedin's Florida State League playoff spot.[23] Guerrero finished the 2017 season with a .323 batting average, 13 home runs, and 76 RBIs in 119 games. He also walked more than he struck out, with 76 and 62, respectively, and posted a .910 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).[15] On September 6, Guerrero was named ESPN's Prospect of the Year.[24][25] During the offseason, he played in 26 games for the Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Winter League.[15]

Entering 2018, Guerrero was considered the top prospect in the Blue Jays organization by MLB.com and Baseball America.[26][27] On March 23, Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro announced that Guerrero would begin the season with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats.[28] Through the first month of the season, he led the Eastern League with a .398 batting average and 30 RBIs.[29] On June 4, he was named the Eastern League's Player of the Month after hitting .438 with nine home runs and 28 RBIs in May.[30] On June 6, Guerrero was removed from a game against the Akron RubberDucks with a leg injury. Three days later, it was determined that he had sustained a patellar tendon strain in his left knee and would be placed on the disabled list for at least four weeks.[31] On July 28, it was announced that Guerrero would be promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons following his father's induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Guerrero hit .402 with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs in 61 games with New Hampshire.[32] On August 30, the Blue Jays added Guerrero to the roster of the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League (AFL).[33]
Entering 2019 spring training, questions arose as to whether the Blue Jays organization would have Guerrero on the Opening Day roster or seek to manipulate his MLB service time by assigning him to the minors to begin the season. Keeping Guerrero in the minor leagues for the first two weeks of the season would prevent him from reaching free agency until after the 2025 season.[34][35] On March 10, the Blue Jays announced that Guerrero had suffered an oblique strain two days earlier and was ruled out for the rest of spring training.[36]
Toronto Blue Jays
[edit]2019: MLB Debut
[edit]On April 24, 2019, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that Guerrero would be called up from Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on April 26. Guerrero was considered the top prospect in all of professional baseball prior to being called up[37][38] and was hitting .367/.424/.700 with three home runs and eight RBIs during an eight-game stint with the Bisons.[39] He went hitless in his first three at-bats against the Oakland Athletics before hitting a double in the bottom of the ninth inning and exiting for a pinch runner.[40] Guerrero recorded his first multi-hit game and reached base safely four times on May 11.[41]
On May 14, against the San Francisco Giants in Oracle Park, Guerrero hit his first MLB home run in the first inning off Nick Vincent. At 20 years and 59 days of age, Guerrero became the youngest Blue Jay to hit a home run, breaking Danny Ainge's record by 18 days. In the sixth inning, with two men on, he hit another home run off Reyes Moronta. He hit two more home runs in the following series against the Chicago White Sox, including one that bounced off the glove of center fielder Leury Garcia and over the wall.[42] Guerrero's four home runs over a six-game road trip earned him the American League Player of the Week Award, making him the youngest Blue Jay to win the award.[43] On May 22, he hit his first home run at the Rogers Centre off Rick Porcello of the Boston Red Sox.[44] On May 31, Guerrero hit his sixth home run against the Colorado Rockies, marking the 1,135th home run hit in May across the MLB and setting a new MLB record for the most home runs hit in a single calendar month, surpassing the previous record of 1,119 set in August 2017.[45] On July 8, he broke the single round home run record in the Home Run Derby with a total of 40 home runs after three overtimes in the semifinals against Joc Pederson. He also broke the record for most home runs in a derby with 91, although he lost in the final round to Pete Alonso.[46] In 2019, Guerrero batted .272/.339/.433 with 15 home runs and 69 RBIs in 514 plate appearances.[47] He hit a ball with the fastest exit velocity of any ball hit by MLB batters in 2019, recorded at 118.9 mph.[48]
2020
[edit]
The start of the 2020 MLB season was delayed until late July by the COVID-19 pandemic. On July 10, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo announced that Guerrero would shift primarily to playing first base, but would still play at third base and designated hitter when necessary.[49] Guerrero played in all 60 games of the shortened 2020 season and batted .262 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs.[50]
In his postseason debut, Guerrero batted 1-for-7 with one hit-by-pitch (HBP) as the Blue Jays lost both games of the AL Wild Card Series to the Tampa Bay Rays.[51]
2021: First All-Star Appearance and Hank Aaron Award
[edit]
Guerrero began the 2021 season at a substantially lower weight than he did in each of the previous two seasons. After beginning a weight loss regimen in July 2020, Guerrero went on to lose 42 pounds.[52] The reduced weight made him feel "quicker, stronger and more resilient."[52] He opened the 2021 season as the Blue Jays' primary first baseman while also getting routine starts at the designated hitter position.
On April 27, 2021, Guerrero had his first career three-homer game, including a grand slam against Washington Nationals starter Max Scherzer, to go along with 7 RBIs on the day.[53] On June 21, Guerrero rejected an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby, despite his record-setting performance in the 2019 derby.[54] He stated that he was looking forward to playing in the All-Star Game but would like to use the time to otherwise regroup and "refresh mentally" for the second half of the season.[54] On June 26, Guerrero hit his 50th career home run in his 258th career game, reaching the milestone in the same number of games as his father.[55]
MLB announced on June 27 that Guerrero was a voting finalist for the starting first base position at the 2021 All-Star Game in Denver, having led all MLB players in Phase 1 of voting with 2,704,788 votes.[56] On June 28, Guerrero was named the American League Player of the Week, after hitting home runs in three consecutive games, driving in seven runs, and batting .391/.481/.826.[57] It was Guerrero's first Player of the Week honor since August 2019.[58] On July 1, Guerrero was named the starting first baseman for the American League in the All-Star Game.[59] In the game, he hit the 200th home run in All-Star Game history, became part of the third father-son duo to hit home runs in All-Star Games, and was named as the game's Most Valuable Player (MVP). He was the first Blue Jays player to win, the first Canadian citizen to win, and the youngest All-Star Game MVP at age 22 and 119 days, beating Ken Griffey Jr., who was 22 years and 236 days old in 1992.[60] On September 6, in a game against the New York Yankees, Guerrero hit his 40th home run of the season, joining his father as the second father-son duo in MLB history to each have a 40-home run season in their careers. Previously, the only father and son to have done so were Cecil Fielder and his son Prince Fielder, both of whom played during the career of the elder Guerrero.[61]
Guerrero finished the 2021 season batting .311/.401/.601 and tied the MLB lead in home runs with Salvador Perez (48), led in runs scored (123), and led the majors in total bases (363). He won the American League Hank Aaron Award and the Tip O'Neill Award for 2021,[62] but finished second in American League MVP voting behind Shohei Ohtani.[63]
2022: First Gold Glove Award
[edit]On March 22, 2022, Guerrero signed a $7.9 million contract with the Blue Jays, avoiding salary arbitration.[64] During an April 13 game against the New York Yankees, Guerrero hit a home run off Gerrit Cole and subsequently had his hand stepped on by Aaron Hicks during a play at first base. Despite the injury, he remained in the game and hit two more home runs, finishing the day at 4-for-4 with 3 home runs and 4 RBIs.[65] Guerrero then became the first player in MLB history to hit three home runs in a game, then strike out at least four times the following game on April 14.[66]
Later that season, Guerrero was named to start the All-Star Game at first base for the American League.[67]
In a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 14, he hit a home run, which was the 100th home run of his career. With this home run, he became the youngest Blue Jay to 100 home runs and the 7th youngest player in MLB history to 100 home runs and 100 doubles.[68]
In 2022, Guerrero led the MLB in grounded into double plays (GIDP) with 26, and batted .274/.339/.480 with 32 home runs, 97 RBIs, and 116 strikeouts.[69]
In his return to the postseason, he batted 1-for-9 with one RBI as the Blue Jays lost the AL Wild Card Series to the Seattle Mariners, despite having home-field advantage at the Rogers Centre.[51]
On November 1, 2022, Guerrero won the American League Gold Glove Award at first base in recognition of his exceptional defensive performance.[70][71]
2023: Home Run Derby Champion
[edit]On July 10, 2023, Guerrero won the MLB Home Run Derby in Seattle.[72] He hit a final round record 25 home runs to defeat Randy Arozarena.[73] Guerrero became part of the first father-son duo to win the Derby, with his father Vladimir Guerrero Sr. having won the contest in 2007.[74]
Guerrero finished the season batting .264/.345/.444 with 26 home runs and 94 RBIs.[75] Guerrero and the Jays again played poorly in the playoffs, being swept for the third consecutive postseason appearance, losing to the Minnesota Twins in the AL Wild Card Series. He batted 1-for-7 with a double and a walk.[51][76]
2024
[edit]Guerrero's salary for the 2024 season was set at $19.9 million, a record amount determined by the salary arbitration process.[77]
Guerrero finished the season batting .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs.[78]
2025: ALCS MVP
[edit]On January 9, 2025, Guerrero and the Blue Jays avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $28.5 million salary, the third-highest salary paid to an arbitration-eligible player in league history, behind only Juan Soto in 2024 ($31 million) and Shohei Ohtani in 2023 ($30 million).[79] On April 9, Guerrero signed a 14-year, $500 million extension with the Blue Jays.[80] $325 million of the contract will be paid as signing bonuses each season, and the contract has no deferred money and does not include any opt-outs.[81][82]
On July 2, Guerrero was named an All-Star for the fifth year in a row.[83] In a game against the Athletics on July 11, Guerrero hit a single, which was the 1,000th hit of his career, becoming the 10th player to reach this feat as a Blue Jay and the youngest to do so.[84]
Guerrero finished the season batting .292/.381/.467 with 23 home runs and 84 RBI.[85]
At the start of the 2025 postseason, Guerrero hit a first-inning home run in Game 1 and later hit his first playoff grand slam in Game 2 of the AL Division Series (ALDS) against the New York Yankees, marking the first playoff grand slam in Blue Jays history.[86] This achievement made Guerrero and his father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., the only father-son duo in MLB history to both hit grand slams in postseason play.[87] During the AL Championship Series (ALCS) against the Seattle Mariners, Guerrero hit three home runs with a batting average of .385 and an OPS of 1.330 across seven games, earning the ALCS Most Valuable Player Award as the Blue Jays clinched their first American League (AL) championship since 1993.[88] In the World Series, Guerrero batted .333 with two home runs and three RBI, though the Blue Jays ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games. His performance throughout the postseason was widely cited as one of the greatest in history.[89][90]
Player profile
[edit]Guerrero was seen as a top prospect due to his exceptional hitting ability, which scouts often graded an 80, the highest possible mark on baseball's 20-to-80 scouting scale. His power is often rated at a 70 grade, which indicates a "plus-plus" tool in the scouting industry. Defensively, scouts were unsure if he could remain at third base at the major league level, but he has shown the potential to develop into a passable defender.[91][92]
Endorsements
[edit]On January 30, 2024, Guerrero was announced as the cover athlete for MLB The Show 24. His father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., also appeared on the cover of MLB 2006, making them the first father-son duo to be featured on the cover of an MLB The Show video game.[93][94]
Personal life
[edit]Guerrero comes from a family with strong connections to baseball. He is the son of Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., who, as revealed in a 2012 paternity suit, fathered eight children with five different women.[95] As a result, Guerrero has at least seven siblings, two of whom have signed professional contracts with Major League Baseball (MLB) teams. His younger brother Pablo Guerrero signed with the Texas Rangers as an international free agent on January 15, 2023,[96] while his younger half-brother Vladi Miguel Guerrero signed with the New York Mets as an international free agent on January 15, 2024.[97] Guerrero's older cousin, Gabriel Guerrero, has also played in the MLB for the Cincinnati Reds.[98] Additionally, Guerrero's godfather is Baseball Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, a former teammate of his father with the Montreal Expos.[99]
Guerrero communicates in English with his Blue Jays teammates and team staff but continued to give media interviews in Spanish using the team's interpreter until 2025. In 2019, he said, "I'm trying to learn as quickly as possible so I can talk to fans."[100][101]
Guerrero is a devout Christian.[102] He has said, “Jesus Christ is everything. I read the Bible before every game, when I wake up. I pray and read the Bible before bed.”[103]
See also
[edit]- List of largest sports contracts
- List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball players from Canada
- List of Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic
- List of second-generation Major League Baseball players
- Toronto Blue Jays award winners and league leaders
Notes
[edit]- ^ Tied with Salvador Perez
- ^ While he is generally referred to as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Guerrero and his father have different maternal family names: Ramos and Alvino, respectively.
References
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- ^ Fee-Platt, Jordy (October 10, 2025). "Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continuing family legacy in playoffs. Looking at the best father-son duos in MLB". nytimes.com. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ Matheson, Keegan (October 21, 2025). "Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 2025 ALCS MVP". MLB.com. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
- ^ Andrews, Davy (November 4, 2025). "Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Greatest Postseasons of All Time". FanGraphs Baseball. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
- ^ Harrigan, Thomas (October 23, 2025). "Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s historic playoff run". MLB.com. Retrieved January 25, 2026.
- ^ Tayler, Jon (May 24, 2018). "Vladimir Guerrero Jr. might be the future of baseball". SI.com. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
- ^ Singh, David (March 1, 2018). "How to decipher MLB scouting scale, Guerrero Jr.'s prospect grades". Sportsnet. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ^ "VLADIMIR GUERRERO JR. IS YOUR MLB THE SHOW 24 COVER ATHLETE!". MLB The Show. January 30, 2024. Archived from the original on November 25, 2025. Retrieved November 25, 2025.
- ^ "Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on cover of 'MLB The Show' video game". TSN. The Canadian Press. January 30, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ "MLB Star Vladimir Guerrero -- My Baby Mamas Cost $25k a Month ... But It's Cool". TMZ. June 10, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ Sanchez, Jesse (January 17, 2023). "Rangers 2023 international prospects signings". MLB.com. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Borek, Jesse (January 16, 2024). "Another one! Vladi Guerrero signs with Mets". MLB.com. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ "Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
- ^ Gordon, Devin (September 15, 2021). "Inside the breathtaking rise of Vladimir Guerrero Jr". ESPN. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ Campbell, Morgan (August 25, 2019). "Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is helping bridge cultures as he adjusts to life in the big leagues". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ "Vladimir Guerrero Jr. WINS 2021 MLB All-Star Game MVP | Ted Williams All-Star Game Trophy Ceremony". YouTube.com. July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ Doering, Joshua (July 14, 2021). "Vladimir Guerrero Jr. declares God the MVP after making history at MLB All-Star Game". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ Mercer, Kevin (January 1, 2026). "13 Christ-following athletes to watch in 2026". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet · Baseball Almanac
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Birth and family
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was born on March 16, 1999, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, while his father played for the Montreal Expos.[1] His parents are Vladimir Guerrero Sr., a Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder who was a nine-time All-Star and the 2004 American League Most Valuable Player, and Riquelma Ramos, who is from Santiago in the Dominican Republic and learned to speak French during her time in Montreal.[12][13][14] Guerrero Jr. has a younger brother, Pablo Guerrero, who is a minor league player signed by the Texas Rangers.[14] His extended family includes several Major League Baseball players, such as uncles Wilton Guerrero, who appeared in 423 games from 1996 to 2004, and other relatives like Julio Guerrero, who played in the minors; cousins include Gabriel Guerrero, who debuted in the majors with the Cincinnati Reds in 2018.[14] The family traces its roots to the Dominican Republic, where Guerrero Sr. was born and raised in Nizao as one of nine children in a modest home.[15][14]Childhood and upbringing
After his father signed with the Anaheim Angels following the 2003 season, four-year-old Vladimir Guerrero Jr. moved with his mother, Riquelma Ramos, to Santiago in the Dominican Republic, while his father continued his Major League Baseball career with the Angels.[16][14] This separation from his father's professional environment marked the beginning of his primary upbringing in the Dominican Republic, where he lived with his mother and grandparents in the rural town of Don Gregorio.[17] Guerrero Jr.'s childhood was immersed in the island's baseball culture, attending local schools and engaging in informal games on makeshift fields with uncles, cousins, and neighborhood children. His mother played a central role in his daily life, managing household responsibilities and adapting to the cultural shift from urban Montreal to rural Dominican life; she frequently repaired his clothing torn from rough play, reflecting her support for his active pursuits despite the family's modest means. Despite the physical distance, Guerrero Jr. maintained close emotional ties to his father through daily phone calls for guidance and winter visits, during which the elder Guerrero attended his son's local games and emphasized enjoying the sport regardless of outcomes.[17][18] From an early age, Guerrero Jr. received baseball training under his father's influence, gaining access to professional facilities at the Guerrero Baseball Academy in the Dominican Republic starting around age five. He began organized play in local youth leagues at approximately six or seven years old, honing his skills on fields near Don Gregorio while imitating his father's distinctive hitting style and routines, such as forgoing batting gloves. This period of limited paternal presence due to his father's MLB schedule persisted until the senior Guerrero's retirement in 2011, after which family time increased, allowing for more direct mentorship.[17]Professional career
Signing and minor leagues
On July 2, 2015, at the age of 16, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic, receiving a $3.9 million signing bonus that was the largest ever for a 16-year-old signee at the time.[19][4] The deal was influenced by his family's baseball legacy, as his father, Hall of Fame outfielder Vladimir Guerrero Sr., had previously starred for the Blue Jays from 2000 to 2003.[20] Guerrero made his professional debut in 2016 with the rookie-level Bluefield Blue Jays of the Appalachian League, where he batted .271 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs over 62 games.[21] The following year, he advanced through Toronto's system, beginning with the low-Class A Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League, hitting .316 with seven home runs in 71 games before a midseason promotion to high-Class A Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League, where he posted a .333 average with six home runs in 48 games.[21] During his time in Lansing, Guerrero was selected as a Midwest League All-Star.[22] In 2018, Guerrero continued his rapid ascent, starting with a brief stint at high-Class A Dunedin before spending most of the season at Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Eastern League, where he slashed .402/.485/.670 with 14 home runs in 61 games.[21] He was later promoted to Triple-A Buffalo Bisons of the International League, batting .336 with six home runs in 30 games to close out the year.[21] Across all levels, he hit .381 with 20 home runs and 78 RBIs in 95 games, leading Minor League Baseball in total bases with 236.[21] Guerrero was named an Eastern League All-Star that season, though he did not participate due to injury, and he later joined the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .351 with 17 RBIs in 19 games.[23][24] Entering the 2019 season, Guerrero was ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball by MLB.com following his dominant minor league performances.[25] He began the year with a short assignment to Triple-A Buffalo, where he hit .367 with three home runs in nine games before earning a promotion to the major leagues in late April.[21]2019: Major league debut
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made his major league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on April 26, 2019, at the age of 20, after being promoted from Triple-A Buffalo earlier that day due to his strong minor league performance earlier in the season.[26] In his first game against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre, he started at third base and batted fifth, going 1-for-4 with a double down the first-base line in the ninth inning that tied the score at 2-2, setting up Brandon Drury's walk-off home run for a 4-2 victory.[27][28] Guerrero's rookie season was marked by high expectations as MLB's top prospect, but he faced adjustment challenges, including a high strikeout rate of 26.6% and defensive struggles at third base, where he committed 17 errors and posted a -20 Outs Above Average rating, reflecting limited range on grounders.[26][29] These issues at the hot corner, combined with the presence of other infielders, led the Blue Jays to experiment with him at first base late in the season, though he primarily played third base in 96 games and designated hitter in 24.[30] Despite early inconsistencies, he displayed power potential, hitting his first major league home run on May 14 against the San Francisco Giants—a 397-foot drive to center field—followed by a second homer later in the same game, becoming the youngest Blue Jay to hit multiple home runs in a single contest at age 20.[31][32] Over 123 games in 2019, Guerrero batted .272 with 15 home runs, 69 RBIs, and a .772 OPS, exceeding rookie eligibility limits while finishing sixth in American League Rookie of the Year voting.[26][33] He earned AL Player of the Week honors twice—May 19 for a .500 average with three home runs and eight RBIs, and August 4 for hitting .417 with two homers—but showed signs of late-season growth, batting .276 in September across 14 games as he adapted to major league pitching.[1]2020 season
The 2020 Major League Baseball season was shortened to 60 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Toronto Blue Jays playing their home games at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, under strict health and safety protocols after being barred from Canada.[34] Vladimir Guerrero Jr. appeared in all 60 games for the Blue Jays, primarily at first base (34 games) and as designated hitter (23 games), marking a transition from third base in his 2019 rookie season to greater positional stability at the corner infield spot.[26] Building on his 2019 debut where he struggled with a .232 batting average and high strikeout rate, Guerrero showed early career growth in 2020, posting a .262 batting average with 9 home runs and 33 RBI, while improving his plate discipline with a reduced strikeout rate of 15.2% compared to 25.4% the prior year.[35][36] Defensively, Guerrero adapted to first base full-time, earning praise for incremental improvements in range and footwork despite a -4 defensive runs saved rating over 299 innings, as managers noted his commitment to the position amid the unique challenges of the pandemic-shortened schedule.[37] His power output reflected the abbreviated season, with a .200 isolated power similar to 2019 but concentrated in fewer opportunities, leading to a slight dip in total production relative to expectations for his prospect pedigree.[26] Key moments included his first multi-home run game on August 26 against the Boston Red Sox, where he hit two homers as a designated hitter in a 6-3 win, boosting his season momentum.[38] The Blue Jays finished 32-28, securing a wild card berth in MLB's expanded 16-team playoff format, but Guerrero struggled in the best-of-three Wild Card Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, going 1-for-7 (.143 average) with four strikeouts in the two-game sweep loss.[39]2021 season
In 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. experienced a breakout season with the Toronto Blue Jays, establishing himself as one of Major League Baseball's premier power hitters at age 22. Appearing in 161 games, he slashed .311/.401/.601 with 48 home runs, 111 RBI, and a 1.002 OPS, tying for the American League lead in home runs and ranking second in batting average and OPS.[26] His performance earned him a second-place finish in American League Most Valuable Player voting behind Shohei Ohtani.[40] Guerrero's elite offensive production marked a significant progression from his abbreviated 2020 campaign, where he showed early power potential in just 52 games.[1] Guerrero achieved several milestones during the year, including hitting his 40th home run on September 6 against the New York Yankees, becoming the youngest player in Blue Jays history to reach that mark and joining his father as the second father-son duo in MLB history to each hit 40 homers in a season.[41] He also posted a career-high 22-game hitting streak from July 15 to August 13, during which he batted .374 with 10 doubles and three home runs.[1] Early in the season, Guerrero led the majors in home runs through June with 18, fueling Toronto's strong start.[42] The Blue Jays finished 91-71, securing an American League wild card berth before losing the best-of-three Wild Card Series to the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1. Guerrero batted .200 (3-for-15) in the series but delivered key contributions, including an RBI single in Game 2 that helped Toronto force a decisive third game. Off the field, Guerrero earned his first All-Star selection and started at first base for the American League at the 2021 All-Star Game in Denver. He also participated in the Home Run Derby, reaching the semifinals before falling to eventual winner Pete Alonso.[43]2022 season
In 2022, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued his offensive production for the Toronto Blue Jays, slashing .274/.339/.528 with 32 home runs and 97 RBIs over 160 games, helping the team secure a wild card berth.[26] Building on his 2021 power surge, he ranked among American League leaders in total bases (third, 306), hits (sixth, 175), and extra-base hits (eighth, 67), while starting as the AL's first baseman in the All-Star Game for the second consecutive year.[1] His consistent slugging contributed to a career-high 116 OPS+, underscoring his role as a cornerstone of the lineup despite a midseason dip following a hot start.[26] Guerrero Jr. showcased marked improvement in baserunning, stealing a career-high 9 bases—up from 3 the prior year—while demonstrating positional versatility by appearing at both first base (149 games) and third base (11 games) to accommodate lineup adjustments.[26] Defensively, he earned his first Gold Glove Award at first base, leading the AL with a .997 fielding percentage (1,320 total chances, 3 errors) and excelling in range and arm strength per SABR defensive metrics.[44] This recognition highlighted his growth beyond the plate, transforming perceptions of his glove work from a question mark to an asset. A strong first half saw Guerrero Jr. hit 20 home runs and bat .289 through the All-Star break, fueling Toronto's contention in the AL East.[45] However, lingering right wrist soreness in June forced him to decline participation in the Home Run Derby, though he played through without missing games.[46] The Blue Jays advanced to the Wild Card Series but were eliminated by the Seattle Mariners in a dramatic 10-9 Game 2 loss on October 8, where Guerrero Jr. went 1-for-5 in the decisive matchup.[47]2023 season
In 2023, Guerrero Jr. experienced a challenging start to the season due to right knee inflammation that forced him to withdraw from the World Baseball Classic, where he was expected to represent the Dominican Republic. The injury occurred during spring training and disrupted his preparation, contributing to an early slump in which he batted just .224 through April. Despite the setback, he remained a key part of the Toronto Blue Jays lineup, primarily at first base and as a designated hitter.[48][49] Guerrero Jr. earned his third consecutive All-Star selection, highlighting his continued status as one of baseball's premier young hitters. At the All-Star events in Seattle, he captured the Home Run Derby title, defeating Randy Arozarena 25-23 in the finals after hitting a tournament-record 91 home runs across all rounds; this made him the first Toronto Blue Jay to win the event and the first father-son duo to do so, joining his Hall of Famer father. His performance in the Derby showcased his raw power, though it did not immediately translate to a postseason surge in the regular season.[26][50] Over the full 156 games, Guerrero Jr. posted a .264 batting average with 26 home runs, 94 RBIs, and a .789 OPS, reflecting solid but inconsistent production compared to his 2021 peak. He showed improvement in the second half, batting .279 with 14 home runs after the All-Star break, providing consistency for a Blue Jays team that finished third in the American League East with an 89-73 record but was eliminated in the Wild Card Series by the Minnesota Twins. The season underscored Guerrero Jr.'s resilience amid health challenges and high expectations, setting the stage for future development.[26][51][52]2024 season
In February 2024, Guerrero Jr. prevailed in salary arbitration against the Toronto Blue Jays, securing a one-year contract worth $19.9 million—the highest amount awarded in an arbitration hearing at the time—after the club had offered $18.05 million.[53] The resolution allowed him to participate fully in spring training and enter the regular season without further disruption.[54] Guerrero Jr. rebounded strongly from a down 2023 campaign, posting a .323 batting average (second in the American League), 30 home runs, 103 RBIs, and a .940 on-base plus slugging percentage over 159 games.[26] His improved plate discipline was evident in a walk rate that rose to 10.0 percent, up from 7.5 percent the previous year, contributing to a career-high 78 walks.[26] Selected to his fourth consecutive All-Star Game, he started at first base for the American League in the July matchup at Globe Life Field.[55] The Blue Jays remained in playoff contention through the first half of the season but ultimately finished with a 74-88 record, missing the postseason for the first time since 2020.[56] Guerrero Jr. fueled Toronto's push with a late-season surge, slashing .374/.443/.638 with 16 of his home runs and 55 RBIs coming after the All-Star break.[57] In August alone, he batted .375 with six home runs and 17 RBIs across 27 games.[58] Guerrero Jr. capped the year by winning the American League Silver Slugger Award at first base, recognizing his offensive excellence among qualified players at the position.[59]2025 season
In the 2025 season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. enjoyed a solid regular season performance for the Toronto Blue Jays, batting .292 with 23 home runs, 84 RBIs, and an .848 OPS over 156 games.[60] This marked his fifth All-Star selection, where he was named the American League starting first baseman.[61] The Blue Jays, buoyed by Guerrero's contributions, clinched the AL East division title for the first time since 2015 with a 94-68 record, securing the top seed in the American League and embarking on a deep playoff run.[62][63] Guerrero's standout play extended into the postseason, where he batted .385 with three home runs—including the first postseason grand slam in Blue Jays history—and 10 RBIs in the ALCS against the New York Yankees to earn ALCS MVP honors while leading Toronto to a seven-game series victory and their first World Series appearance since 1993.[64][65] Although the Blue Jays fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, Guerrero's defensive highlights in the Fall Classic, including diving plays in Game 7, underscored his all-around impact.[10] Amid prior arbitration tensions from 2024 that had cast uncertainty over his future, Guerrero signed a landmark 14-year, $500 million contract extension with the Blue Jays in April 2025, covering 2026 through 2039 and including a $325 million signing bonus—the largest in franchise history.[66][6] This deal solidified his long-term commitment to Toronto following their mutual bet on sustained contention.[67]Playing style
Batting
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a right-handed power hitter renowned for his elite bat speed, which enables him to generate exceptional exit velocities and consistent hard contact. Through the 2025 season, he has maintained a career batting average of .288 with 183 home runs over 975 games.[26] His offensive profile is bolstered by a high hard-hit rate exceeding 50% in peak seasons, reflecting his ability to square up pitches effectively.[68] Among his key strengths is pronounced pull power, with a career pull rate of approximately 45%, allowing him to exploit the short right-field porch at Rogers Centre and drive balls with authority to his pull side.[36] Guerrero also demonstrates strong plate discipline relative to other power hitters, posting a career strikeout rate of 15.2%, which underscores his contact-oriented approach despite his prodigious power.[69] This compact swing, honed through rigorous training with his father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., emphasizes quick hands and a level path through the zone, minimizing swing-and-miss opportunities while maximizing launch angle optimization.[70] Guerrero's evolution as a hitter has been marked by overcoming early contact challenges to emerge as one of baseball's premier sluggers. In his 2019 debut, he struggled with a .272 batting average and elevated chase rates on pitches outside the zone, leading to inconsistent production.[26] By 2021, however, he refined his approach, achieving an elite OPS of 1.002 while reducing his strikeout rate to 15.8%, a significant improvement from his rookie year.[71] His plate discipline has continued to grow, with his walk-to-strikeout ratio improving from 0.20 in 2019 to over 0.50 in recent seasons, enabling better pitch selection and sustained on-base production. In 2025, Guerrero further refined his plate discipline, posting career lows in swing rate (42.2%) and chase rate (20.5%), contributing to strong postseason performance with elite selectivity.[72][73] Often compared to his Hall of Fame father, Guerrero Jr. shares the senior's free-swinging, violent swing mechanics but exhibits superior selectivity, chasing fewer borderline pitches and drawing more walks as a result.[70] This blend of inherited power with enhanced discipline has solidified his status as a more complete hitter than his progenitor in terms of overall offensive efficiency.[74]Fielding and baserunning
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. primarily plays first base, a position he transitioned to full-time after debuting at third base in 2019. Through the 2025 season, he has appeared in 670 games at first base with a .991 fielding percentage, recording 4,894 putouts, 321 assists, and 48 errors.[26] At third base, he has logged 110 games with a .937 fielding percentage, including 78 putouts, 202 assists, and 19 errors.[26] His defensive profile features above-average arm strength, evidenced by an average throw velocity of 82.8 mph per Statcast data as of 2025, allowing him to make accurate and powerful throws from both positions.[75] Guerrero demonstrates quick reflexes and soft hands, particularly at first base, where he excels in scooping low throws and stretching for outs.[76] In 2022, he recorded 969 putouts at first base, a testament to his reliability in handling routine plays and contributing to double plays.[26] That season, his overall defensive performance earned him the Gold Glove Award at first base, underscoring improvements in footwork and positioning.[44] On the basepaths, Guerrero possesses average speed but employs smart aggression, achieving a career stolen base success rate of 76.5% with 26 steals in 34 attempts through 2025.[26] His baserunning peaked in 2022 with 8 stolen bases in 11 attempts (72.7% success), reflecting refined instincts that emerged after a limited 1-for-1 mark in the 2020 season.[26] While not a prolific base stealer, his decisions often advance runners effectively without excessive risk. Early in his career, Guerrero faced challenges at third base, committing 17 errors in 96 games during 2019, primarily due to fielding mishaps stemming from limited range and adjustments to major league speed.[26] At first base, occasional lapses in range have been noted, though his arm and hands have mitigated these issues over time.[77]Awards and honors
Major League Baseball awards
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has earned numerous accolades in Major League Baseball, highlighting his offensive prowess and defensive improvements at first base. He was selected as an American League All-Star five times from 2021 to 2025, starting at first base for the AL in the 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025 games.[26][78][61] In the 2021 All-Star Game at his first appearance, Guerrero hit a 468-foot solo home run off Yu Darvish in the first inning, earning him the All-Star Game MVP award as the youngest recipient at 22 years and 119 days old.[78][79] Guerrero won the Silver Slugger Award at first base twice, in 2021 after leading the majors with 48 home runs and slashing .311/.401/.601, and in 2024 following a .323/.396/.544 season with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs.[59] He also received the AL Hank Aaron Award in 2021 for his outstanding offensive performance. Guerrero has been named to the All-MLB First Team three times, in 2021, 2024, and 2025, recognizing him as one of the top first basemen in baseball.[5] Defensively, Guerrero earned his first Gold Glove Award at first base in 2022, where he recorded 969 putouts and a .990 fielding percentage with 1,026 total chances.[44][80] In postseason play, Guerrero was named the 2025 ALCS MVP after batting .385 with three home runs—including the first postseason grand slam in Blue Jays history—and three RBIs across seven games, helping the Toronto Blue Jays advance to the World Series.[7] Guerrero finished second in AL MVP voting in 2021, receiving 29 of 30 second-place votes behind Shohei Ohtani's unanimous win, following his league-leading 48 home runs, 111 RBIs, and .401 on-base percentage.[81] In 2024, he placed second in the AL batting average at .323, behind Bobby Witt Jr.'s .332.[82]| Award | Year(s) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| All-Star Selection | 2021–2025 | 5 selections; started 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025 |
| All-Star Game MVP | 2021 | Solo HR in debut; youngest winner |
| Silver Slugger (1B) | 2021, 2024 | Recognized for offensive excellence |
| All-MLB First Team (1B) | 2021, 2024, 2025 | Top first baseman selections |
| Gold Glove (1B) | 2022 | .990 fielding percentage |
| ALCS MVP | 2025 | .385 AVG, 3 HR in championship series |
| AL MVP (2nd place) | 2021 | 29 second-place votes |
| Home Run Derby Winner | 2023 | Defeated Randy Arozarena 25–23 in finals; first father-son duo of winners |
| Home Run Derby Participant | 2019 | Lost in first round to Joc Pederson |
