Making the case with defence
Guerrero helps himself in rookie race with play in field
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reached a rare milestone in the Blue Jays’ loss to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, committing his 15th error to go with his 15 home runs.
Defending in the big leagues might always be a struggle for the 20-year-old third baseman. Guerrero considers himself a natural outfielder, after playing there growing up, and he doesn’t feel “100 per cent comfortable yet at third base.”
“I’m not reading the ball off the bat 100 per cent yet, sometimes I’m not sure if I have to attack the ball or not,” Guerrero said Wednesday. “Those are the kind of things I’m working on right now with (third-base coach) Luis Rivera.”
Development is paramount for the Jays’ youngsters this year, far more so than any individual awards. But with Houston in town for a three-game series, starting on Friday, much can be made of the rookie battle between Guerrero and Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, the 21year-old who is the leading contender for American League honours.
The one-sided nature of Alvarez’s season — he’s hitting .324 with 21 home runs, 62 RBIs and a 1.120 OPS but has made just seven starts in the outfield — could benefit Guerrero, who, after a slow start, has a .282 average with 15 homers, 59 RBIs and an .821 OPS. Eddie Murray, Bob Hamelin and Shohei Ohtani, who also pitches, are the only designated hitters to win the rookie award.
Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo believes both offence and defence should be taken into consideration for the award.
“Just like with the MVPs, you have to do both,” Montoyo said, making a pitch for his player. “But I think Vlad should get votes just because he plays third base and he’s getting better. He’s doing a good job at third base and he’s swinging the bat pretty good … The other guy’s just a (designated hitter).”
Jays major-league coach John Schneider, who managed Guerrero throughout the minor leagues, serves up live grounds balls to Toronto’s young infielders — including Guerrero, shortstop Bo Bichette,second baseman Cavan Biggio and first baseman Rowdy Tellez — before most games.
He believes Guerrero’s first step and his game clock — his ability to field the ball and get rid of it — have both improved. The infielder continues to work on fielding balls to his left and slow rollers up the third-base line.
There is talk of slowing the game down at the plate any time a young player makes the jump to the big leagues. Schneider said slowing the game down on defence is similarly significant.
“It’s just as big of a jump, I think, if not bigger,” he said. “With a hitter like (Guerrero), he’s going to make adjustments (at the plate) quick but positioning is different, the shifting’s a little bit different, all that kind of stuff. Balls are hit harder, the (turf) surface is different so all of those things kind of take a little bit of time to get used to.”
Guerrero has made a recent adjustment at the plate. It seems to be working. His slashline is .367/.426/.645 with a 1.051 OPS and 33 RBIs in his last 34 games.
Alvarez, who looks to be helping his team to another AL West division title, would have to cool off by a wide margin for Guerrero to catch him in the rookie race.
But with Guerrero riding a hot streak, and having the advantage of playing defence, Alvarez might be looking over his shoulder — or across the field — this weekend.
‘‘ I think Vlad should get votes just because he plays third base and he’s getting better. CHARLIE MONTOYO Blue Jays manager