Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (Montreal, Que.) in 2019 …

February 25, 2021

By Drew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

Breaking into the majors is hard enough, but doing so while navigating the added expectations that come with being named one of the game’s top prospects? Well, that’s a whole other ball game.

Such is the case with Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero.

Through 183 games dating back to his big-league debut in 2019, Guerrero (Montreal, Que.) has slashed .269/.336/.442 with 24 home runs in 757 trips to the plate.

Hang those numbers on any other 21-year-old, and we’re not having the same conversation. Though with Guerrero, owner of a .945 OPS through parts of four seasons in the minors, those around the game know that there’s more he can offer.

In an effort to increase his athleticism on both sides of the baseball, Guerrero dropped 42 pound since the start of spring training 2.0 last June.

Team management thinks a leaner physique is the first step to unlocking his All-Star potential.

“He’s going to end up being, in my opinion, one of the best hitters in baseball,” said Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo in a Zoom call from Dunedin on Wednesday. “I think by being in shape, he’s going to get there. I don’t want to put that much pressure on him, but I really think that’s what he can do.”

Working both with teammates in Dunedin and home in the Dominican Republic, Guerrero says he prioritized improving his quickness, strength, and balance while also focusing on weight loss this offseason.

“I feel quicker on all aspects of my game right now,” said Guerrero through an interpreter. “Especially running the bases, taking ground balls; before I felt a lot of fatigue. Now I can take 50-60 ground balls and feel good.”

“We worked very hard on my legs because I really wanted to trust them. Before, I wasn’t getting to the ground balls, and at the plate, I couldn’t stay back enough.”

Guerrero’s hard work this off-season hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates. Perhaps more than anyone else around him, they see the pressure and know firsthand how challenging it is to adapt while in the spotlight.

“For the player that he is, with the hype that surrounds him, it’s tough to sit there, look at yourself, and kind of take that in,” said Rowdy Tellez. “He did, and that’s ,really mature. The way he moves, the way he talks, his mannerisms, he’s excited for the season because of the changes he made. A Vlad that can be happy and excited, healthy and ready to move, could be one of the dangerous players in baseball.”

“I don’t think people understand how hard he works,” added Tellez. “This offseason shows you. This guy is going to bust his butt to be the best he could be.”

Always a fan of defensive versatility, Montoyo said the plan is to have Guerrero take reps at both third and first this spring.

“We moved him to first base, but we never closed the door on third,” he added. “Ross (Atkins) and I talked to him earlier today. Our main message to him was to become a gold glove first baseman, and then we’ll move you to third, see how it goes and so on.”

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Montoyo expects big numbers from slimmed down Guerrero