History of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in Timeline

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

1992: Ken Griffey Jr.'s All-Star MVP

In 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. became the youngest All-Star Game MVP at 22 years and 119 days, beating Ken Griffey Jr., who was 22 years and 236 days old in 1992.

March 16, 1999: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Born

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

Others born on this day/year

2003: Joined Father on Field

In 2003, during Vladimir Guerrero Sr.'s final game for the Expos at Olympic Stadium, four-year-old Vladimir Guerrero Jr. joined his father on the field in an Expos uniform during a standing ovation, creating an iconic moment.

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.

January 24, 2017: Ranked as Third Best Prospect

On January 24, 2017, MLB named Vladimir Guerrero Jr. the third-best prospect at third base, recognizing his potential in the sport.

August 2017: MLB Home Run Record Set

In May 2019, Guerrero hit his sixth home run, contributing to the 1,135 home runs hit across MLB in May, surpassing the previous record of 1,119 set in August 2017.

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.

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, recognizing his outstanding performance in the minor leagues.

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.

August 2019: American League Player of the Week Honor

On June 28, 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was named the American League Player of the Week, after hitting home runs in three consecutive games, driving in seven runs, and batting .391. This was his first Player of the Week honor since August 2019.

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.

2019: Spring Training Injury

In 2019, during spring training, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. suffered an oblique strain that ruled him out for the remainder of spring training, raising questions about his Opening Day roster status.

July 2020: Weight Loss Regimen

In July 2020, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. began a weight loss regimen, leading to a significant reduction in weight and improved physical condition for the 2021 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.

2021: All-Star Game MVP

In 2021, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was named the American League All-Star Game's Most Valuable Player (MVP), becoming the first Blue Jays player, first Canadian citizen, and youngest player to win the award.

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.

November 1, 2022: Won American League Gold Glove Award

On November 1, 2022, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won the American League Gold Glove Award at first base, recognizing his exceptional defensive performance.

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.

January 15, 2023: Brother Signs with Texas Rangers

On January 15, 2023, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s younger brother, Pablo Guerrero, signed with the Texas Rangers as an international free agent, adding to the family's baseball connections.

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).

January 15, 2024: Half-Brother Signs with New York Mets

On January 15, 2024, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s younger half-brother, Vladi Miguel Guerrero, signed with the New York Mets as an international free agent, continuing the family's involvement in baseball.

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

On January 30, 2024, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was announced as the cover athlete for "MLB The Show 24". His father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., was previously on the cover of MLB 2006, making them the first father-son duo to achieve this.

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: Media Interviews in English

By 2025, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. communicated in English with his Blue Jays teammates and team staff but continued to give media interviews in Spanish using the team's interpreter.

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.