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 currently playing for the Toronto Blue Jays in MLB. He debuted in 2019. A right-handed batter and thrower, Guerrero follows in the footsteps of his father, Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2007: Vladimir Guerrero Sr. won Home Run Derby

In July 10, 2023, Guerrero became part of the first father-son duo to win the Derby, with his father Vladimir Guerrero Sr. 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 the age of 16.

2015: Signed as International Free Agent

In 2015, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent, marking the beginning of his professional baseball career.

2016: First Professional Season

In 2016, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. played 62 games, hitting .271 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs.

2017: Minor League Season with Lansing and Dunedin

In 2017, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. played with the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts and was later promoted to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays. He finished the season with a .323 batting average, 13 home runs, and 76 RBIs, and was named ESPN's Prospect of the Year.

2018: Season with New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Buffalo Bisons

In 2018, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. started the season with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, where he excelled, and was later promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He was also added to the roster of the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League.

April 24, 2019: Called up to the Toronto Blue Jays

On April 24, 2019, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would be called up from Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on April 26, marking his anticipated arrival in Major League Baseball.

2019: MLB Season Achievements

In 2019, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. batted .272 with 15 home runs and 69 RBIs, recorded the fastest exit velocity of any ball hit by MLB batters, and had several notable performances, showcasing his talent in his debut season.

2020: Shift to First Base

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic-delayed MLB season, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo announced that Guerrero would primarily play first base but would also play third base and designated hitter when needed. He played in all 60 games and batted .262.

April 27, 2021: First Career 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 RBIs, marking a significant achievement in his career.

2021: Primary First Baseman

In 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. became the Blue Jays' primary first baseman, with routine starts at the designated hitter position.

2021: MLB Season Achievements and Awards

In 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finished the season with impressive stats, including tying for the MLB lead in home runs, leading in runs scored and total bases, and winning the American League Hank Aaron Award and the Tip O'Neill Award.

2021: MLB leader in Home Runs, All-Star Game MVP

In 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the MLB in home runs, runs scored, and total bases, earned his first All-Star Game selection, and won the All-Star Game MVP award, becoming the youngest player to achieve this honor.

March 22, 2022: Contract Signed with Blue Jays

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

2022: Led MLB in Grounded into Double Plays

In 2022, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led the MLB in grounded into double plays with 26, and he batted .274 with 32 home runs and 97 RBIs.

July 10, 2023: Won MLB Home Run Derby

On July 10, 2023, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won the MLB Home Run Derby in Seattle, hitting a final round record of 25 home runs. He and his father became the first father-son duo to win the Derby.

2023: Ohtani's Salary Record

In January 9, 2025, 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, behind only Shohei Ohtani in 2023 ($30 million).

2024: Salary Set by Arbitration

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

2024: Soto's Salary Record

January 9, 2025: Avoided Arbitration with New Salary

On January 9, 2025, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $28.5 million salary.

2025: Free Agency Discussion

In 2019, it was discussed 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.

2025: ALCS Most Valuable Player Award

In 2025, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a stellar postseason, including hitting a first-inning home run in Game 1 and his first playoff grand slam in Game 2 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees. He was named ALCS Most Valuable Player after hitting three home runs with a .385 batting average and a 1.330 OPS in seven games against the Seattle Mariners, leading the Blue Jays to their first AL championship since 1993. Although they lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Guerrero batted .333 with two home runs and three RBI. His performance was hailed as one of the greatest in postseason history.