One of the largest causes for the Toronto Blue Jays’ success within the 2025 MLB Postseason was first basemanVladimir Guerrero Jr. His monster October helped propel the membership to the World Series.
Now seven months faraway from that playoff run, the membership is drowning. At 31-34, Toronto is fourth within the American League East and eight video games again of the first-place Tampa Bay Rays.
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While accidents have performed a task on this, the efficiency of a wholesome Guerrero Jr. has not been serving to.
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27)© John E&interval; Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The 27-year-old has performed in 63 video games and is batting .292 with a .383 on-base proportion and a .764 OPS. He has solely 3 residence runs and 25 RBI.
The feared slugger has misplaced all of his thump this season. His 90.7 MPH common exit velocity is properly under his profession norms. His arduous hit charge (batted balls above 95 EV) of 45% can also be properly under his traditional clip.
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Guerrero Jr. is making probably the most contact of his profession, at an 82.2% charge. He’s additionally putting out rather a lot lower than in earlier years. With that stated, most Toronto followers would most likely be effective with the strikeouts for the massive energy numbers if this was the choice.
A current publish on X by Daniele Franceschi captured followers’ frustration properly. “I’m starting to wonder if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is going to reach double-digit homers in 2026. Some of these swing decisions are inexcusable.”
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The largest downside has been these swing selections. Guerrero Jr. has a chase charge of 31%, the best of his profession, beating 2022’s 30.5%. While he’s making a superb quantity of contact with these pitches off the plate he typically wraps into weak contact as an alternative of ready for pitches to crush within the zone.
The idea of such a revered hitter failing to achieve 10 residence runs over a full season at age 27 is nearly unfathomable. Guerrero Jr. has slammed at the least 23 in each season since 2021.
The seventh-year man is in 12 months one in all a 14-year, $500 million contract with the Blue Jays. His play proper now doesn’t point out that of somebody getting paid almost 36 million {dollars} a 12 months.
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While the membership waits for its injured checklist to shrink, they want Vladdy to begin producing as quickly as potential.
Related: Blue Jays Facing Decision After Alejandro Kirk News
This story was initially revealed by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2026, the place it first appeared within the MLB part. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.