Atkins still guarded on Vladdy’s big-league graduation

DUNEDIN, FLA. He is universally proclaimed as the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball and one destined to follow along the path of his Hall of Fame father.

So is Vlad Guerrero Jr. ready for the big leagues?

“We’ll see how spring training progresses,” was Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins half-cautious, half-insulting response as camp opened for real Thursday morning at Dunedin Stadium. “Spring training is a piece of his development.

“There’s no firm timeline on when he arrives and when he plays in Toronto for the first time, but we want to make sure he’s the best possible third baseman and the best possible hitter he can be. This is going to be a fun and exciting time for him and a fun and exciting time for the organization.”

In other words, the Jays have zero intention of having the 19-year-old future star in the lineup on opening day.

The priority clearly remains to manipulate Guerrero’s service time so that they have him under control for as long as seven seasons, meaning a mid-April debut is the most likely scenario.

The suggestion that Guerrero isn’t ready to hit major-league pitching is considered absurd by many longtime observers of the sport and not just because he has had incredible success in the minor leagues.

Guerrero is such a natural at the plate, blessed with his father’s power and skill as well as a savvy eye that has helped him dominate pitchers at every level of pro ball.

During four Grapefruit League appearances last spring, Guerrero had some success, further heightening his lofty projections.

But with the likelihood of attendance at the Rogers Centre surely continuing its slide this spring and that the Jays will be a hard sell on radio and television with the potential deep spring playoff runs for the NHL’s Maple Leafs and NBA’s Raptors, off to the triple-A Buffalo Bisons Guerrero will go.

Atkins has essentially been defiant about the motives, however, remaining adamant that there is still work to be done.

“We think about how the player gets better,” Atkins said.

“Everyone’s aware of timelines and the rules of the game. We’re just going to focus on how we put the best team together and how we help Vladdy become a better player.

“He continues to make strides. He’s obviously very strong and extremely physical, one of the stronger individuals in our system. The work to stay agile and to keep him at third base as long as possible is the biggest challenge and he continues to make progress there.”