Jesse Barfield admits he “broke protocol” when he sent hitting instructions to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez this season. Photo: Athlete Speaker

October 24, 2021

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

Jesse Barfield admitted he "broke protocol'' going over the heads of Toronto Blue Jays personnel by secretly sending hitting instructions to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez this past season.

Without mentioning Blue Jays hitting coach Guillermo Martinez by name, Barfield, a former Blue Jays outfielder, apologized and said over the weekend on Twitter he had good intentions in mind when he sent batting lessons to Guerrero and Hernandez by way of emails, videos and texts.

Barfield, somewhat boastfully, posted on Twitter he was instrumental in the monster seasons enjoyed by Guerrero and Hernandez, even though he was not employed by the organization.

"Look at the results,'' Barfield said.

Guerrero was lights out with a .311 batting average, 48 homers and 111 RBI. Hernandez also had a career season, batting .296 with 32 homers and 116 RBI.

Barfield posted on Twitter he had phone conversations with Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins in an attempt to mend fences and explain what he had done to try and help Guerrero and Hernandez.

Barfield said on Twitter he was asked by Shapiro what he wanted and Barfield replied by saying he'd like to be a ''special ambassador'' for the Blue Jays since he had no interest in becoming a coach.

Barfield has since deleted all his posts related to his hitting instructions and any mentions of his chats with Shapiro and Atkins. Barfield couldn't be reached for comment.