Watch Out, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Is Only Getting Better
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Is Rapidly Improving His Defense
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has already established himself as one of the best players in baseball. He had an incredible 2021 season, finishing as runner-up for American League MVP. Unfortunately, the Toronto Blue Jays barely missed a spot in the postseason. However, 2022 could be an equally special year for Guerrero for different reasons. The baseball world is running out of words to describe his offensive firepower, but this year is showing that his defensive prowess is taking a huge leap.
He Walks The Walk Along With The Talk
When it comes to infield defense, few are as good as Matt Chapman. His ability to save hits and make off-balance throws on time is nothing short of amazing. Furthermore, having another great teammate in Matt Olson at first base in Oakland helped a bunch. However, the three-time Golden Glover sees a lot of his former Athletics teammate’s game in Guerrero. Chapman was recently quoted as saying:
“I was pretty spoiled with (Olson). Two Gold Gloves… he definitively saved me some errors,” Chapman said this week. “So, I had a high standard coming when I joined the (Toronto) Blue Jays and I guess the best thing I can tell you about any first baseman is sometimes I have to make plays where I can’t get my feet set or where I just have to catch it, get rid of it… and I’ve never thought twice with Vladdy. I think he has the ability to win a Gold Glove. I really do.”
— Matt Chapman via Jeff Blair, SportsNet
That is pretty darn high praise. For someone who is known for hitting the ball as well as Guerrero, adding elite defense to his game only makes the ceiling for him and this Blue Jays team higher and higher. Having forty-eight home runs last year was already scary. Now, a potential gold glove level of defense is on the table. Vlad is already the best first baseman in the game. He has a chance to be one of the best in recent decades if he keeps this up. Look, I have high hopes for the Yankees. But this guy is a certified Yankee killer. I would have cold sweats in October if they ever run into him.
Crunch The Numbers
You can use the eye test and already see his defense has taken a step forward. He is great at calling for the ball on behind runners and creating ways to get guys out. He has a right to be aggressive, and has now put his opponents on high alert for it. The numbers also support it. He has a career-high 99.6% fielding percentage this season. He’s second among all MLB’s first basemen in defensive runs saved. He has an identical UZR rating as the aforementioned Olson. He’s tied for first with the likes of Freddie Freeman for Outs Above Average at his position.
His defense is starting to put him in a conversation with the likes of Fernando Tatis, Jose Ramirez, and Xander Bogaerts as to who the best infielder in baseball is.
You could already say that having a player like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. simply makes the game of baseball better. Carrying on his dad’s legacy, especially up in Canada, is truly special. However, he seems set to follow the likes of David Ortiz, Miguel Cabrera, and Albert Pujols as one of the best first basemen of the modern era. There was already an argument for that with his offense. However, his defensive improvement is making everyone ask just how good he could become in a few years.
