History of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in Timeline

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.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1992: Ken Griffey Jr. wins All-Star Game MVP

In 1992, Ken Griffey Jr. was the youngest All-Star Game MVP at age 22 and 236 days old, before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. broke the record in 2021.

March 16, 1999: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s Birth

Vladimir Guerrero Ramos Jr. was born on March 16, 1999. He is a Dominican-Canadian professional baseball player.

Others born on this day/year

2003: Father's Final Game with Expos

In 2003, during Vladimir Guerrero Sr.'s final game for the Expos at Olympic Stadium, four-year-old Vladimir Guerrero Jr., wearing an Expos uniform, joined his father on the field and waved to the crowd.

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.

2012: Paternity Suit Revelation

In 2012, a paternity suit revealed that Vladimir Guerrero Sr. has eight children with five different women, meaning Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has at least seven siblings.

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).

January 24, 2017: Ranked as Third Best Prospect

On January 24, 2017, MLB named Vladimir Guerrero Jr. the third best prospect at third base.

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).

2018: Minor League Player of the Year

In 2018, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was named Minor League Player of the Year by both Baseball America and USA Today.

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.

August 2019: American League Player of the Week Award

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. received the American League Player of the Week Award in August 2019.

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: Effort to Learn English

In 2019, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stated his intention to learn English quickly to communicate with fans.

2019: Spring Training Injury

In 2019, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. suffered an oblique strain during spring training, ruling him out for the rest of the spring training period.

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.

July 2020: Weight Loss Regimen

In July 2020, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. began a weight loss regimen, ultimately losing 42 pounds, which he credited with making him feel "quicker, stronger and more resilient."

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: All-Star Game MVP Interview

In 2021, after winning the All-Star Game MVP, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gave an on-field interview in Spanish using the team's interpreter.

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.

2023: Shohei Ohtani's Salary in 2023

In 2025, Shohei Ohtani's 2023 salary ($30 million) was mentioned as the second highest salary paid to an arbitration-eligible player in league history, setting the record that Vladimir Guerrero's 2025 salary ($28.5 million) was third to.

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: Highest Salary in 2024

In 2025, Juan Soto's 2024 salary ($31 million) was mentioned as the highest salary paid to an arbitration-eligible player in league history, setting the record that Vladimir Guerrero's 2025 salary ($28.5 million) was third to.

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.