Guerrero Jr. grounds out in first big league at-bat
TORONTO >> Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded out to first base in his first major league plate appearance for the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night.
Fans rose for a standing ovation as Toronto’s top prospect led off the second against Oakland’s Mike Fiers, Guerrero worked the count to 2-2 as fans chanted “Let’s go, Vladdy!” then hit a sharp grounder to first baseman Kendrys Morales that registered 106.4 mph off the bat.
Morales is a former teammate of the rookie’s father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero. Guerrero Jr. arrived at Rogers Centre dressed in a replica of his dad’s Montreal Expos jersey.
“Since I was a kid I was running around with my dad in the clubhouse in Montreal,” Guerrero Jr. said. “I just wanted to bring that back today.”
The 20-year-old was batting fifth and playing third base. He got a cheer the first time a ball was hit his way, even though it rolled foul.
Fans also cheered when Guerrero came out to stretch before the game, and when his name was announced in the starting lineup.
Even Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau noted the debut on Twitter with a message attached to a Tweet from the elder Guerrero.
Born in Montreal during his dad’s tenure with the Expos, Guerrero Jr. said it was meaningful to play his first big league game north of the border.
“I’m very happy, very proud of myself for making my debut here in Canada,” he said.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins was happy, too.
“As he walked into the clubhouse yesterday, seeing and hearing it put a massive smile on my face,” Atkins said. “It’s such a good baseball story, and he’s so aware of it. He’s more aware than most of our young players of what it means to play for a city and a country.”
Guerrero wore No. 27, the number retired in honor of his father by the Los Angeles Angels. Following this weekend’s home series against Oakland, the Blue Jays head west for a three-game series against the Angels.
Guerrero’s famous father was on hand Friday to watch his son take batting practice, which was broadcast
Thursday’s games
Boston 7, Detroit 3 Cleveland 2, Houston 1 L.A. Angels 11, N.Y. Yankees 5 Seattle 14, Texas 2
Friday’s games W
17 15 14 12 10
L
11 10 13 12 16 Oakland at Toronto Tampa Bay at Boston Baltimore at Minnesota Cleveland at Houston Detroit at Chicago White Sox L.A. Angels at Kansas City Texas at Seattle
N.Y. Yankees at San Francisco
Pct
.607 .600 .519 .500 .385
GB
_ 1⁄2 2 1⁄2 3 6 live on Sportsnet, the Canadian network operated by team owner Rogers Communications.
Guerrero Jr. missed the start of the season after an oblique injury in spring training. He played four rehab games at Class-A Dunedin before moving up to Triple-A Buffalo, where he hit .367 with three homers and eight RBIs in eight games. By delaying his debut until Friday, the Blue Jays ensured his maximum service time this year would be 157 days — 15 days shy of being eligible for free agency after the 2024 season.
While there is little doubt about Guerrero’s ability at the plate, his defense remains uncertain.
“Is he somewhat below average amongst major league third basemen? We’ll see,” Atkins said. “He could come here and perform as an average third baseman but we’re shooting for him to be exceptional, not just average.”
Saturday’s games
Baltimore (Straily 1-1) at Minnesota (Berrios 3-1), 2:10 p.m.
Oakland (Anderson 3-1) at Toronto (Sanchez 2-1), 3:07 p.m. Cleveland (Bieber 2-1) at Houston (Peacock 2-1), 4:05 p.m.
N.Y. Yankees (Happ 0-2) at San Francisco (Holland 1-3), 4:05 p.m.
Tampa Bay (Glasnow 4-0) at Boston (Price 1-1), 4:05 p.m.
Detroit (TBD) at Chicago White Sox (Lopez 1-3), 7:10 p.m.
L.A. Angels (Barria 2-1) at Kansas City (Lopez 0-2), 7:15 p.m.
Texas (Minor 2-2) at Seattle (Leake 2-2), 9:10 p.m.
Sunday’s games
Tampa Bay at Boston, 1:05 p.m. Oakland at Toronto, 1:07 p.m. Baltimore at Minnesota, 2:10 p.m. Detroit at Chicago White Sox, 2:10 p.m. L.A. Angels at Kansas City, 2:15 p.m. N.Y. Yankees at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. Texas at Seattle, 4:10 p.m. Cleveland at Houston, 7:05 p.m. New York Philadelphia Atlanta Washington Miami St. Louis Chicago Pittsburgh Milwaukee Cincinnati Los Angeles
Guerrero Jr. said defense is the part of his game he feels he’s improved the most in the past two years.
The few hundred fans already inside the stadium clapped and cheered as Guerrero launched several long drives, including one off the windows of restaurant on the third level, and another into the center field party deck.
Toronto selected Guerrero’s contract from Triple-A Buffalo and optioned infielder Richard Urena to the International League farm team.
Also Friday, Atkins said minor league shortstop Bo Bichette will not need surgery to repair a broken bone in his left hand, an injury that occurred when Bichette was hit a pitch Monday. Bichette is expected to miss four to six weeks.
“We’re very hopeful that he pushes that envelope for us,” Atkins said. Arizona San Diego Colorado San Francisco
Thursday’s games
Arizona 5, Pittsburgh 0 L.A. Dodgers 2, Chicago Cubs 1 Cincinnati 4, Atlanta 2 Miami 3, Philadelphia 1, 10 innings
Friday’s games
Miami at Philadelphia San Diego at Washington Milwaukee at N.Y. Mets Colorado at Atlanta Cincinnati at St. Louis 15 14 11 11 Chicago Cubs at Arizona Pittsburgh at L.A. Dodgers 11 11 14 14 N.Y. Yankees at San Francisco .577 .560 .440 .440 1⁄2 1 4 4