TORONTO | In his second season in Major League Baseball, Vladimir Guerrero Jr established himself as one of Major League Baseball’s big stars.
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Even though the Toronto Blue Jays don’t make the playoffs, he has the stats to aspire to the American League MVP. However, with pitcher Shohei Ohtani’s exceptional season, he could come up short.
On the other hand, it would only be postponed in the case of Guerrero. His coaches are convinced that the 2021 season is just the start of a long and successful career.
“He will be a star player for a long time,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said at the Journal before the game against the Yankees.
“It’s not easy to hit 40 home runs every season. He may not hit as much next year, but he will be successful. He is only 22 years old and he will continue to improve, ”he continued.
Healthy change
We must not forget that Guerrero Jr had to deal with a change of position from training camp. Montoyo decided to have him play on first base. A decision that makes him look like a genius today.
“It took the pressure off her shoulders,” Montoyo said. I think he’s going to be a good first goal in the long run because he has good hands. That’s why he was played on third base before. “
“The other big factor in her success is her weight loss. His hard work during the last offseason paid off. It helped him at all levels, ”assured the manager.
Not surprising
Jays’ assistant hitting manager Dante Bichette isn’t surprised at the outbreak of nO 27 from the Toronto club.
“Me and my son Bo, we saw him develop in the minors,” said the former star of the Colorado Rockies. We knew he would be that good.
“It was frustrating for him because he thought he would be successful in his first season. “
Bichette is very complimentary about the Blue Jays player.
“He has a drive worthy of a Hall of Fame member. The little movement he makes before setting off resembles that of Babe Ruth or Ted Williams. It is only the big ones who have this signature at bat ”.
” It’s impressive. He has a power that I have rarely seen. Its potential has no limit, ”added Bichette.
Pleasure above all
The successes did not go to the head of Guerrero Jr. Quite the contrary.
“He wants to have fun on the pitch and that’s all that matters,” said Montoyo.
The one born in Montreal mostly remained the same person in the locker room.
“I’ve known him for five or six years,” said Bo Bichette. His laughter is contagious. He likes to have fun every day.
“It’s a blessing to have him with us. His work ethic and the way he plays. It’s fun to have him around. “
The hunt for the triple crown in the American
In baseball, players who win the triple crown join a select club. In history, only 17 players have managed to finish first in batting average, homers and RBIs.
Here are Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s stats ahead of Tuesday night’s game:
Batting average
- Yuli Gurriel (Houston), 317
- Michael Brantley (Houston) ,315
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr (Toronto) ,315
Circuits
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr (Toronto) 46
- Salvador Perez (Kansas City) 46
- Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles) 45
Product points
- Salvador Perez (Kansas City) 117
- Jose Abreu (Chicago) 113
- Teoscar Hernandez (Toronto) 112
- Matt Olson (Oakland) 109
- Rafael Devers (Boston) 108
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr (Toronto) : 105
The last three triple crown winners
- 2012 : Miguel Cabrera (Detroit)
- 1967 : Carl Yastrzemski (Boston)
- 1966 : Frank Robinson (Baltimore)
Advanced statistics
- Guerrero Jr.’s average ball exit speed
- 153.2 km/h (3e in the majors)
- Number of times Guerrero Jr has hit the ball with the barrel of his stick
- 72 (2e in the majors)
MLB’s best value for money
Vladimir Guerrero Jr
- Salary 2021: 605 400 $
- Statistics : moy. ,315; 46 cc; 105 pp
Juan Soto (Washington)
- Salary 2021: 8 500 000 $
- Statistics: avg. , 320; 29 cc; 93 pp
Shohei Ohtani (The Angels)
- Salary 2021: 4 250 000 $
- Statistics: avg. , 257; 45 cc; 98 pp
