'He's still heating up, which is scary': Vlad goes oppo in win

HOUSTON -- There’s an ease to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. right now. It’s the same swagger that carried him through his days as a top prospect, when life was good and baseball was easy.

As Guerrero took batting practice on Tuesday in Houston, the hood of his sweater pulled tight with two diamond chains dazzling in front, he hit a half-dozen baseballs where they simply don’t belong. Then, the game started, and the video game became reality.

Guerrero launched his third home run of the season to open the scoring in Toronto’s 4-0 win, a solo shot to the opposite field. He’s batting .357 with as many walks as strikeouts (nine) and an on-base percentage that looks like it’s been lifted from his Minor League stat lines. This is the full Vladdy Jr. experience, and while a 2022 season that was disappointing by his standards took some steam out of the Guerrero hype train, that locomotive is back on the tracks.

“I learned a lot from last year. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” Guerrero said through an interpreter. “Last year, of course, I felt like I put some numbers on myself, and maybe a little bit of pressure. This year, I’m not thinking about any of that. I just want to go out there, do my job, have fun and be relaxed. It’s been great.”

The 24-year-old credits the plan he’s taking to the plate. The X’s and O’s don’t matter -- it’s the fact that he’s sticking to this plan regardless of results. In 2022, Guerrero would deviate from that plan at times, trying to be MVP Vladdy when all the Blue Jays needed was a strong single the other way. Now, he is back to recognizing that he’s the hunter, not the other way around.

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“He’s taking what he’s getting and not being a power hitter first. He’s being a hitter first,” said manager John Schneider. “The power just comes. That’s [who] he has been all the way up, and especially in 2021. He can hit the ball all over the field.”

This is what made Guerrero so special in the Minor Leagues, particularly in 2018. He had an unusual ability to see 97 mph pitches at 50 mph. At times, it seemed like Guerrero could simply choose to win an at-bat. It may be decades until we see another Blue Jays prospect so in control of their own game.

We’re seeing flickers of that again. Schneider is quick to point out some recent swings that have gotten too big, but for the most part, Guerrero is being a hitter again. If he focuses on winning a batting title, he has enough natural power to accidentally win a home run crown.

With that in mind, there’s always going to be one number that determines Guerrero’s success: launch angle. Ground balls have plagued the first baseman when he’s struggled. You saw that in 2020 and '22, neither of which were his finest campaigns. In '21, though, when Guerrero finished second in AL MVP voting, his average launch angle was higher at 9.4 degrees.

This season? Even higher, at 12.3 degrees. With Guerrero’s easy power, this is the absolute sweet spot.

Matt Chapman, who also homered on Tuesday to continue his incredible tear, sees a more mature hitter in Guerrero this season. He sees a young star who is staying balanced, being more selective and not wasting swings. Factor in Guerrero’s defense -- which continues to improve beyond what most once thought possible -- and his baserunning -- which brings more speed than you’d think -- and you’re looking at a complete player.

The Blue Jays’ current lineup and the aggressive new style that comes along with it seem to mix well with Guerrero. When asked if he’d like to try for a few more stolen bases, a wide smile spreads across his face and you see the big kid again.

“Oh, definitely. I’m enjoying that,” Guerrero said. “I’m the type of player who, if they give me the chance, I’m going to go. If not, then OK, but every time I have the chance to take a base, I will.”

As Guerrero’s contact turns into power, though, he’ll be doing plenty more jogging. On a team stacked with star talent, from Chapman to Bo Bichette and others, it’s still Guerrero who holds the most unique ability to pick up a game and break it in half.

We’ve seen it before and we’re seeing it again.

“I feel like he’s still heating up,” Chapman said, “which is scary.”