adminThe poster child for underachievers this season is Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Guerrero had an MVP-caliber year in 2021, hitting .311 with 48 home runs, 111 RBIs, 123 runs scored, and a 1.002 OPS in his third year. He led the American League (AL) in home runs, runs scored, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, OPS, OPS+, and RBIs, making him one of the most dominant hitters in baseball.
If it weren’t for the “two-hit wonder” Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels), Guerrero would have been the AL MVP. He didn’t receive a single first-place vote in MVP voting. However, he was considered to be entering his so-called prime and was quickly catapulted to superstar status. Along with Ohtani and Juan Soto (San Diego Padres), he was considered one of the “Big Three” of pending free agents who could receive a combined $500 million.
However, he struggled through the first half of this season after batting .274 with 32 home runs, 97 RBI, 90 runs scored and an OPS of .818 in 160 games last year. His batting average dropped from the high teens in April, to the low teens in mid-May, to 2.8 in late May, to 2.7 in late June.
However, if you look at his recent hitting, there are clear signs of life. In his last 10 games, he’s batting .297 (11-for-37) with four home runs, 12 RBIs, and eight runs scored. His last two home runs have been game-winners.
Guerrero batted fourth in the lineup against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 5, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored in a 4-3 victory.
His home run came in the top of the eighth inning, trailing 3-2. After leadoff man Brandon Belt drew a walk, Guerrero faced right-hander Joe Kelly on a 2B1S pitch and lined a four-pitch, 90.1-mph outside slider over the right field fence for a line drive. It had a 23-degree launch angle, 106.5 mph, and 367 feet of travel.
Realizing it was a home run, Guerrero pointed his finger at the bleachers where the pitch had landed and sprinted around the bases. Toronto turned the tide and eventually snapped a three-game losing streak.
Guerrero also hit a game-winning home run at home against the San Francisco Giants on May 30. With two outs and one on in the bottom of the sixth inning, he took an 87.5-mph splitter from Giants starter Keaton Winn over the left-center field fence. It had a 35-degree launch angle, 111.0 mph, and traveled 413 feet. Toronto went on to win 2-1.
Guerrero finished the season with a .277 batting average, 13 home runs, 54 RBIs, 39 runs scored, and an OPS of .804. His OPS+ of 124 is still just above average, but the upside is clear.
MLB.com wrote, “Guerrero has an uncanny ability to turn games around. With four home runs in his last 10 games, Guerrero is finally starting to unleash the power that the name on his jersey implies.
Toronto manager John Schneider said after the game, “When he’s fresh, Vlad is dangerous. Everybody knows that. He’s in that state right now.” “He’s starting to get some consistency at the plate. It definitely sets the tone and it’s encouraging. With that consistency, he’s going to do wonders for our team,” he said, emphasizing his “clutch” ability to come through with a big hit at a crucial moment.
Toronto manager John Schneider said after the game, “When he’s fresh, Vlad is dangerous. Everybody knows that. He’s in that state right now.” “He’s starting to get some consistency at the plate. It definitely sets the tone and it’s encouraging. With that consistency, he’s going to do wonders for our team,” he said, emphasizing his “clutch” ability to come through with a big hit at a crucial moment.바카라사이트
“For me, every at-bat is very important,” Guerrero said. “For me, every at-bat is very important, especially late in the game,” he said. “I’m preparing more mentally. I’m trying to prepare more mentally for big moments like today. Hopefully, I can keep this pace going.”
Chris Bassett, who started the day, said: “It’s unbelievable power. If he can get a single, that’s very dangerous for them. Can you believe that slider to right field, there’s nothing you can do to beat him.”