Vlad Jr. channels 'The Undertaker' after win
Just another day in the Dominican Winter League
TORONTO -- “Now approaching the ring … From Don Gregorio, Dominican Republic … The Undertaker.”
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a wild Tuesday night. After giving a ball the last ride to lead Leones del Escogido to an extra-innings win, Guerrero ascended the clubhouse steps as the bells tolled. Black hat bowed as he knelt with his teammates, Guerrero then summoned them to rise with him.
Naturally, the entrance music for WWE’s The Undertaker cut out and was replaced by a lively dance party.
Just another day in the Dominican Winter League.
Recently, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins mused that Guerrero must be able to dance, given how good his feet are. He’s done it before, too, stretching back to that famous triple in the 2017-18 Dominican Winter League season that ended with him displaying the full range of motion his hips possess while standing atop third base.
This is the side of Guerrero that Blue Jays fans are just starting to see. One of the bigger personalities in the clubhouse, Guerrero is more reserved on the Major League field. He has always been more expressive playing in his home country, though, which is part of what makes the Dominican Winter League such an exciting brand of baseball.
In Toronto, the postgame celebrations can feature fog machines and light shows in the clubhouse, but this level of choreography has yet to make the jump to the Majors.
Guerrero has enjoyed a strong start to the season with Escogido, going 6-for-16 (.375) with two doubles, two home runs and five RBIs through his first four games. He has already had a couple of days at designated hitter, but he is expected to focus fully on third base in the Dominican Winter League, which is part of a larger campaign by Guerrero to convince the Blue Jays that he can return to his original position at the Major League level.
In Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Tigres del Licey, Guerrero launched a bases-clearing double to the opposite field in the top of the 10th inning.
Guerrero has already driven the ball consistently in the Dominican Republic and, while his defense remains the primary focus this offseason, his bat could be one of the biggest variables for the Blue Jays in 2021. Through his first two MLB seasons, baseball’s former No. 1 overall prospect has hit .269 with a .778 OPS and 24 home runs over 183 games.