Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Discover the career path of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a Dominican-Canadian professional baseball first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays, debuting in MLB in 2019. He is a right-handed batter and thrower. Notably, he is the son of Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2007: Vladimir Guerrero Sr.'s Home Run Derby Win

In 2023, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. became part of the first father-son duo to win the Derby, with his father Vladimir Guerrero having won the contest in 2007.

July 2, 2015: Signed with the Toronto Blue Jays

On July 2, 2015, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed with the Toronto Blue Jays for $3.9 million at age 16.

2015: Signed by Blue Jays

In 2015, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent.

2016: First Professional Season

In 2016, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. played in 62 games, hitting .271 with eight home runs and 46 runs batted in (RBI).

2017: Minor League Season with Lansing and Dunedin

In 2017, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. played in the minor leagues with the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts and the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays, finishing the season with a .323 batting average, 13 home runs, and 76 RBI. He was also named ESPN's Prospect of the Year.

2018: Ascension Through the Minors

In 2018, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. began the season with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats and was later promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He hit .402 with 14 home runs and 60 RBI in 61 games with New Hampshire. He was also added to the roster of the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League (AFL).

April 24, 2019: Call-Up Announcement

On April 24, 2019, the Blue Jays announced that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would be called up from Triple-A Buffalo on April 26.

2019: Rookie Season and Home Run Derby

In 2019, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a notable rookie season, batting .272 with 15 home runs. He also broke the single round home run record in the Home Run Derby with 40 home runs and hit a ball with the fastest exit velocity (118.9 mph) of all balls hit by major league batters in 2019.

2019: MLB Debut

In 2019, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Toronto Blue Jays.

2019: Home Run Derby Record

On June 21, 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rejected an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby, despite his record setting performance in the 2019 derby.

2020: Shift to First Base

In 2020, due to the delayed season start from the COVID-19 pandemic, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shifted primarily to playing first base for the Blue Jays.

April 27, 2021: First Three-Homer Game

On April 27, 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had his first career three-homer game, including a grand slam against Max Scherzer, with 7 RBI on the day.

2021: Statistical Leader and Hank Aaron Award

In 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finished the season batting .311/.401/.601, tied for the major league lead in home runs with 48, led in runs scored with 123, and won the American League Hank Aaron Award.

2021: All-Star MVP and Home Run Leader

In 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the major leagues in home runs (tied with 48), runs scored (123), and total bases (363). He was also voted to the All-Star Game in 2021, during which he won the MVP award.

2021: Primary First Baseman

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. began the 2021 MLB season as the Blue Jays' primary first baseman after losing 42 pounds.

March 22, 2022: Contract Agreement with Blue Jays

On March 22, 2022, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signed a $7.9 million contract with the Blue Jays, avoiding salary arbitration.

2022: Performance in 2022 Season

In 2022, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the major leagues in double plays grounded into (26), and batted .274/.339/.480 with 32 home runs and 97 RBIs.

January 2023: Brother Signs with Texas Rangers

In January 2023, Guerrero's brother, Pablo, signed with the Texas Rangers as an international free agent.

July 10, 2023: MLB Home Run Derby Win

On July 10, 2023, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won the MLB Home Run Derby in Seattle, becoming part of the first father-son duo to win the Derby.

January 2024: Half-Brother Signs with New York Mets

In January 2024, Vladi Miguel Guerrero, Guerrero's half-brother, signed with the New York Mets.

January 30, 2024: Cover Athlete of MLB The Show 24

On January 30, 2024, Guerrero was named the cover athlete of MLB The Show 24. This made him and his father the first father-son duo to both headline an MLB video game.

2024: Record Salary Arbitration Amount

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s salary for the 2024 season was set at $19.9 million, a record amount determined by the salary arbitration process.

January 9, 2025: Avoided Arbitration with Blue Jays

On January 9, 2025, Vladimir Guerrero and the Blue Jays avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $28.5 million salary, the third-highest salary paid to an arbitration-eligible player in league history.

2025: Potential Free Agency

Entering 2019, it was noted that keeping Guerrero in the minor leagues for the first two weeks of the season would prevent him from reaching free agency until after the 2025 season.