Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Winter League recap

For most MLB players when baseball ends in October, they tend to take some time off and then get ready again for spring training the following year.

Others however, want more practice and playing time on the field, so they choose to participate in Winter League baseball. One of those being our very own Blue Jay, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Vladdy played 10 games for the Escogido team in the Dominican Winter League. Offensively, he put up impressive numbers, smashing his averages in the major leagues, although some higher numbers could be expected. In 42 plate appearances, he finished with a batting average of .359, an on-base percentage of .381 and an on-base plus slugging percentage of .996. He also recorded four doubles, 14 total hits, 11 RBI and two home runs.

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Defensively, Guerrero was back playing at third base in the Dominican League, his old position before he made the switch to first base during last season. Considering we have all seen Vladdy aggressively getting in shape since the end of his major league season, all eyes were on him playing third base to see if he was stepping in the right direction to play third next year for the Jays.

Unfortunately, his second coming at this position didn’t go as well as I’m sure he and us as fans were hoping for. He committed four errors in the short season in the Winter League, with a fielding percentage of .857. This is actually his lowest fielding percentage recorded in the past four years in any league for Guerrero Jr.

His offensive numbers in the past months in the Dominican League were great, giving us a hopeful glimpse into what next season in the majors could look like for Vlad Jr and the Blue Jays. It doesn’t however give us a clear answer or direction as to where he will end up playing position wise.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS manager Charlie Montoyo kept the door open with allowing the possibility of Vladdy going back to his old position, after he seems to be putting in the work to show everyone that he can take back third base and succeed at it.

However, the four errors aren’t a great start for this possibility, so we will have to wait and see where the Jays decide he will best benefit the team, and if all his hard work in the offseason is going to be enough to allow a chance to be taken on his defence.

Where do you think Vladimir Guerrero Jr. should start next season?