TORONTO – Now playing first base for the Toronto Blue Jays – Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The young slugger is transitioning across the diamond during the club’s abbreviated camp and is expected to get most of his work there and at DH during the 2020 season, manager Charlie Montoyo revealed Friday, an intriguing twist to the two weeks of training before opening day.
Asked why the Blue Jays chose to pull the trigger now on a position change that’s been speculated upon for years, Montoyo replied that “it’s all about a player having the best chance to compete.” Guerrero could still get some reps at third, the manager added, with Travis Shaw likely to get the bulk of duties on the hot corner.
“It’s going to be a short season, so for me the best chance for Vlad is to play first base, DH, and also play third,” said Montoyo. “Me knowing that Travis Shaw can play third because I’ve seen him, and he’s a good third baseman, also helps that. But this is more about Vladdy and giving him a chance to succeed in a short season.”
Guerrero spent the off-season training to rework his physique, build up his endurance and improve his flexibility and agility, and the Blue Jays praised him repeatedly for his efforts during the first spring training.
Still, even though he showed some gains, the club still had him take grounders at first base with infield coach Luis Rivera before the pandemic shutdown, and the decision to make the switch came quickly after the restart.
“Vladdy is motivated to do it,” said Montoyo.
Assuming he takes to first base, the Blue Jays should have stronger infield defence with Guerrero at first and Shaw at third, and with the season shortened, every small margin helps. In concert with the need to optimize his bat – the thing that really matters – making the move now makes sense.
Bigger picture, the switch for Guerrero was on the horizon, with prospect Jordan Groshans and No. 5 pick Austin Martin, mostly a third baseman at Vanderbilt, likely to factor in the next 18 months to two years, if not sooner.
