Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s Hot Start Is For Real
4 years agoToronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is off to a fantastic start in 2021 and has reached base safely in all 13 of the team's games. His 1.200 OPS ranks eighth among qualified hitters, and his .413 batting average ranks sixth. Guerrero hit the longest homer of his career (456 feet) on Thursday. Nobody has more batted balls with a 115-plus mph exit velocity than his 14 since his MLB debut, but his 54.6 percent ground-ball rate held him back last year. So far in 2021, his ground-ball rate is down to 41.7 percent and his average launch angle is 11.6 degrees, a career-high mark. Along with better quality of contact, Vlad is showing more plate discipline and chasing less. His weight loss was a big storyline leading up to spring training, and Guerrero being in better shape has no doubt played a part in his hot start. This could very well be his breakout season.
Source: MLB.com - Sarah Langs
Source: MLB.com - Sarah Langs