MLB Prospect Preview: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Photo: fantasyalarm.com
Happy Opening Day! Baseball is finally back and it feels good. If you haven’t been following, for the past three months I’ve been previewing one top MLB prospect per week who should finally make a splash in the major leagues this season. Among these were Forrest Whitley, Bo Bichette, Nick Senzel, and Fernando Tatis Jr. Last week I highlighted Eloy Jimenez, which you can check out HERE. Since today is Opening Day, this will be the last preview until next offseason. And I saved the best for last. Let’s take a look at Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the player that some consider the best prospect they’ve ever seen.
Photo: athlonsports.com
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
3B
Toronto Blue Jays
This is the last of the “son of a player” previews, having already previewed Bo Bichette and Fernando Tatis Jr. Everyone knows Vladimir Guerrero, the fantastic player who just got inducted into the Hall of Fame last year. His son has all the tools and make-up to be just as good as his legendary father, and possibly better. Everyone has been raving about the talent of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for a while now, building him up like he’s already a major league all-star. It’s important that baseball scouts shouldn’t get ahead of themselves, but at the same time it’s hard to blame them.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was signed in 2015 by the Blue Jays and is currently 20 years old. He’s spent the past three years in the minors, where he’s excelled at every level, including at Triple-A last year. The one thing that makes Guerrero so special is his hitting ability. He’s regarded as a once-in-a-generation type of hitter and is the only prospect to EVER get a perfect 80/80 scouting grade for his hitting ability. Throughout his minor league career, he’s put together a .331 batting average and .529 slugging percentage. He spent 61 games last season in Double-A where he put up video game numbers, hitting .402 with a .671 slugging percentage, 14 home runs, and 60 rbi. When it was apparent he was more than ready for Triple-A, he hit .336 in 30 games there with 6 more home runs and 16 rbi.
Guerrero has an ultra-explosive swing which generates power to all parts of the field, while at the same time is able to control the barrel of the bat better than anybody. He has a very advanced approach where he knows exactly what he’s looking for and is able to adjust between pitches with ease. It’s very easy to forget he’s only 20 years old. He’s also got a great eye and has a low strikeout rate. With natural power to go along with these intangibles, it’s easy to see why he’s such a highly regarded talent. Scouts predict that he’ll hit for a high average with impressive home run numbers once he settles in the majors, and will be in several MVP discussions.
The knock on Vlad Jr. is his running and fielding. He doesn’t possess the swiftest of feet with his large frame and is a below-average runner. His defensive skills are right at average, but the Blue Jays were happy with improvements shown last season with his footwork and overall fielding ability. While he’s a third basemen for now, it seems fairly certain he will make the switch to first base sometime in the future. At 6’2” and 250 lbs., he looks more like a first baseman.
Guerrero is ranked as the #1 overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline. Out of all third base prospects, he ranks as the best hitter, has the most power, and possesses the highest ceiling. Blue Jays fans are itching to get him in Toronto soon, but will have to wait a little longer due to an oblique strain he suffered a few weeks ago. When he’s recovered in 2-3 weeks, he will begin his season in Triple-A Buffalo. Most likely, it will be late-April to early-May before we see Guerrero in the big leagues. But when we do, watch out!
Garett