Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looked lost at the plate Saturday, and it’s becoming a real problem for the Blue Jays.
The swing looked awkward. The effort seemed half-hearted. After popping up weakly to Spencer Torkelson on the infield grass, Toronto’s $500 million slugger barely jogged halfway to first base before walking with his head down back to the dugout.
That’s where Guerrero finds himself these days – struggling through the worst stretch of his career.
After going 0-for-4 in Saturday’s 2-1, 10-inning win over Detroit, Guerrero’s May batting average sits at .118. The five-time All-Star hasn’t hit an extra-base hit since a double on April 28. His last home run came April 20.
Those numbers tell the story of a player who’s completely out of sync. In his last 23 games, Guerrero’s managed just six RBI while extending his current hitless streak to 22 at-bats.
What’s striking is how patient he’s trying to stay through it all.
“I’m just looking to hit one ball very hard and it will stay in my head and my mind,” Guerrero told reporters, as reported by Sportsnet. “I know things are going to change.”
Part of Saturday’s frustration came courtesy of Casey Mize, who was making his first start since April 28 after coming off the injured list. The Tigers right-hander looked sharp in his return, baffling hitters with his splitter.
Jesus Sanchez got a taste of what Guerrero’s been dealing with lately. In the second inning, Mize started Sanchez off with two four-seam fastballs that he fouled off. Then came four splitters over the next five pitches, ending with a swinging strike that had Sanchez shaking his head.
After one foul tip, Sanchez looked at Mize and nodded – almost in respect. After another foul ball, he glanced toward his bench with a “what the hell” expression.
That’s been Guerrero’s reality for the past month. The difference is Sanchez gets to move on from one at-bat, while Guerrero’s signed through 2039 and needs to figure this out.
The Blue Jays are counting on their franchise cornerstone to break through soon. At 25, there’s plenty of time for Guerrero to turn things around, but right now he looks like a player searching for answers that aren’t coming easily.
