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Toronto Blue Jays: How the kids stack up against their fathers

By Tyson Shushkewich

TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 27: (L-R) Cavan Biggio #8, Justin Smoak #14, Rowdy Tellez #44, Bo Bichette #11 and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate the win at the end of the ninth inning during a MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at Rogers Centre on August 27, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - AUGUST 27: (L-R) Cavan Biggio #8, Justin Smoak #14, Rowdy Tellez #44, Bo Bichette #11 and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate the win at the end of the ninth inning during a MLB game against the Atlanta Braves at Rogers Centre on August 27, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Gerry Angus/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Toronto Blue Jays Prospect Pedigree Review

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Vladimir Guerrero Sr.

Entering the 2019 season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was ranked the top prospect in all of Major League Baseball.

Vladdy Jr. was called up to the team on April 26, the victim of CBA loopholes that allowed the Toronto Blue Jays to gain a 7th year of control on their star prospect.

The start of Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s baseball career was a bit underwhelming, as he only slashed .222/.323/.370 through his first 15 games. He also only smacked 2 HR’s and 6 RBI’s during that time; something fans were not expecting from their hard hitting prospect who was revered for his eye at the plate and raw power.

Towards the end of the season, Vladdy Jr. has found his groove, with his .276/.351/.458 and 15 HR’s and 60 RBI’s being more towards what fans of the Blue Jays were expecting.

Vladimir Guerrero Sr. made his debut in 1996 with the Montreal Expos, but would only play in 9 games.

His first full season would be the next season, where he would make his debut on May 3, 1997. He would play in 90 games that season, slashing an outstanding .302/.350/.483 for the season.

At first glance, Sr. is besting junior on almost every aspect of the slash line. This will probably ring true until the end of the season barring an outstanding run by Jr. to finish off the season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has a better on base percentage because of how many walks he has on the season (40).

With a roughly one month left to go in the season, Jr. has already hit more home runs and RBI’s than his father. Vladdy currently has 15 home runs and 60 RBIs, compared to his father who only had 11 HR’s and 40 RBIs in his first season with the Expos.

Guerrero Jr. has also played in more games than his father, despite the fact that both players were called up within 10 days of another on the calendar year. Vladdy has currently played in 107 games with a month left of baseball, while Sr. only played in 90 games his rookie season.

Vladdy Jr. has committed more errors than his father, but given that the younger is a third baseman compared to his outfielder father, this was kind of expected. Considering Jr. has committed 16 errors to Sr’s 12 errors, it is safe to say that fielding does not run in the Guerrero bloodline while a strong throwing arm does.

As it sits right now, Guerrero Jr. will most likely finish within the top 5 of Rookie of the Year honours for the American League. He could win the award, but he has some tough competition from the likes of Yordan Alvarez, Nate Lowe, and Michael Chavis.

Guerrero Sr. would finish at 6th overall in the 1997 Rookie of the Year National League award, with Scott Rolen taking home top honours.

Considering Vladimir Guerrero Sr. is now in the HOF, Blue Jays fans are hoping that the former top prospect can follow in his father’s footsteps and lead the team to victory.

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