Photo by Mathew Carper
There is a question that has been brewing in my head for the majority of the start of this season and it is, ‘Can Vladimir Guerrero Jr play in the Majors now?’, and my answer to that is absolutely yes and at just 19 years old, he can probably impact the game in a major way.
Guerrero, who was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays at 16 years old, has steadily been growing into a powerhouse slugger through the Blue Jays system and even though he is currently in Double-A, there seems to be no-doubt that his journey is leading him to major league stardom. Would the Blue Jays take the chance and rise him to the top this season, or would they delay his career and keep him in the farm system to play in Triple-A first? And if you really have to think about it, what is the rush, the kid is only 19 years old and some seasoning under his belt will only help, but when looking at the numbers he is putting up, the mind does wonder to the possibility of him just exploding on the big league scene.
In 2016, Guerrero Jr played with the Bluefield Blue Jays of the Appalachian League (Rookie) and in 62 games he batted .271, with 12 doubles, three triples, eight home runs, 46 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. Then in 2017, the son of a Hall of Famer split time between Lansing Lugnuts (Class-A Full) and Dunedin Blue Jays (Class-A Advanced) and combined batted .323, with 28 doubles, 13 home runs, and 76 RBIs through 119 games.
This season Guerrero Jr is with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Double-A) and is tearing up the Eastern League as he is either leading or in the top five in 10 power categories; Runs (42), Hits (77), Doubles (18), Home Runs (10), RBIs (50), Total Bases (127), OBP (.481), SLG (.713), AVG (.433), OPS (1.194).
It seems as if Guerrero has been hot since the start of the season and it shows as he has recorded four separate hitting streaks, 7-games (twice), 16-games and currently has a 9-game hitting streak. If looking at the numbers closer, its mind blogging that he has hit safely in 41 of his first 46 games so far and doesn’t look to be cooling down any time soon.
Over his last 10 games, the Montreal native is batting .514 (18 for 35) with 10 runs scored, two doubles, three home runs, nine RBIs, four walks and two stolen bases. Guerrero Jr’s scorching bat is also being showcased on a team that is leading the Eastern League Eastern Division with a 31-18 record, as they look to win their first Division Title since 2011.
I truly believe that Guerrero Jr is a bona fide major league star in the making and can truly impact the lineup if they called him up today. Numbers can always change, but I feel he has the built and talent to join the club this season and never look back. He wouldn’t be the first to make the jump from Double-A, but would bring some immediate excitement to a Blue Jays team that is struggling at 25-29 and may need an added boost especially with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox running away with the division.
Some may say, why rush him?, and I just have to say, the kid is ready, send him to the Show!
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