With the MLB cracking down on pitchers for using sticky stuff, batters are going to feast. One batter in particular, who hasn’t had to worry about the sticky stuff has been Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
As of June 17, Vlad is hitting .343 with 22 home runs and 56 runs batted in. He leads in home runs and RBI’s and is fourth in average in the MLB. He’s also third in hits with 81 and has been absolutely tattooing the ball every chance he gets. The man is leading the MLB in All-Star voting and is simply the best hitter in baseball right now.
At this point, Guerrero Jr. has a chance at the Triple Crown, which is leading the league in batting average, home runs and runs batted in when the season concludes.
First, Vlad has been able to hit in stadiums in Dunedin, Florida and Buffalo, New York. Both are top-five hitting parks in the MLB and have surely helped him a bit. He hasn’t needed help but those parks being the Blue Jays home instead of Toronto have been helpful.
Right now, Guerrero Jr. is fourth in average. Two reds batters are in front of him and Michael Brantley, who is finally back from injury.
When you think of Nick Castellanos, you think about power and not average. Right now, he’s been on fire, hitting .350 with his teammate Jesse Winker hitting .343. As the season progresses, those Reds hitters, not being in playoff contention could affect their play just a little bit, meaning their average would drop.
Brantley, on the other hand, hasn’t played nearly as many games as the other top five players. That means that each out he makes would be more of a drastic dip compared to if Castellanos, Winker or Guerrero Jr. got out.
When it comes to home runs and runs batted in, right now, everything looks good for Vlad. He’s getting to play in small ballparks, including hitters’ parks like Baltimore, New York (Yankees) and Boston. Boston and New York aren’t the best for home runs, but they’ve got areas where if you hit it in the right spot, they become home runs down the line. Of course, Baltimore is the best place to hit home runs, even more so than Dunedin and Buffalo.
Vlad is also going to get plenty of opportunities for runs batted in. The Blue Jays offense hasn’t even played with George Springer, who was supposed to be their high on base guy and lead-off hitter. Once Springer comes back, Guerrero Jr. should have even more opportunities to drive runners in.
At this point, Vlad will be the only player who will come close to the Triple Crown this season. It’s so special that only 10 players have won the award and the award has only been achieved 12 times since 1920.
That puts what he’s doing in perspective. This season has been spectacular and he’s leading All-Star voting because fans notice that what he’s doing as a hitter is rarely accomplished. Of course, there’s plenty more season left and anything can happen, but if there’s one guy who can achieve the Triple Crown, it’s Vlad Guerrero Jr.
