Vlad Guerrero was the best. The Dominican slugger hit 449 career home runs for the Expos, Angels, Rangers, and Orioles and he did it while being one of the most exciting players to watch of his generation. Guerrero would basically swing at anything but if it connected, there’s a good chance it would go 450 feet.
Now, the Guerrero name lives on in the MLB farm system, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has made his debut for the Blue Jays rookie league team, fittingly blasting a home run in his first game. Guerrero Jr. is the Jays No. 5 rated prospect, and he’s already showing signs that he could one day be a major league home-run hitter.
If you aren’t convinced Guerrero Jr. has what it takes to replicate his father, just look at him socking 33 home runs in 60 swings in a DR home run derby two years ago.
Did I mention he is only 17 years old? He already received a nearly $4 million signing bonus with Toronto and he isn’t even old enough to buy lotto tickets yet.
Vice Sports has a profile on Guerrero Jr. up, and the young prospect certainly seems to have his father’s bravado.
Last July, shortly after he signed that big contract with the Blue Jays, Guerrero predicted he would make it to the big leagues in two years. Having experienced a boot camp with professional coaching in extended spring training, he now modulates that forecast.
“If God has that in his plan, it’ll happen,” he said. “With God first, and hard work, obviously I have to perform. It all depends on how fast or how slow the team wants to develop me. I obviously know that I’m only 17 and I still have a long way to go, but if I keep improving and getting better, then hopefully it will happen with God’s help.”
It might take a little bit longer than two years, but Guerrero has all the tools needed to one day make it to the big leagues, just like his dad.
(Via Vice Sports)
