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Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Born: 03/16/1999 (Age: 19)
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Height: 6' 2" Weight: 250
Primary Position: 3B
Physical/Health
I described him in the Annual as "his father reflected in a concave carnival mirror." That still applies. Strong kid, but it's a much thicker lower half than you see from most major leaguers on the left side of the infield.
Evaluator Jeffrey Paternostro
Report Date 04/18/2018
Dates Seen 4/7/18, 4/8/18, 4/13/18, 4/14/18
Affiliate New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA, Blue Jays)
MLB ETA Risk Factor OFP Video
2019 Low 80 No
Tool Future Grade Report
Hit 70 It's his father's swing, but coupled with a better approach. Tracks east-west better than north-south and your best breakers might beat him. Potentially elite combination of bat speed and barrel control. Works the big part of the park when he's behind in the count. Incredibly advanced strike zone control for his age/level. Could win a batting title.
Power 70 It's not the most majestic raw power display you'll ever see, but it's plus-plus from line to line and he'll get all of it into games eventually. An absolute danger to any fastball he zones ahead in the count. Game power plays mostly to pull side at present if only because there is too much bat speed for most Double-A stuff. Will wait and do damage to the opposite field at times already though. 30 home run guy at peak. The bat makes THAT sound.
Baserunning/Speed 30 Clocked 4.6 to 4.8. Not high effort down the line. Better second gear than you'd think going first to third. Speed is not going to be part of his game though.
Glove 40 Might get to the majors as a third baseman, but that lower half likely won't last there. Slow coming in on balls. Arm can cover some for range issues at present. Sneaky athletic, made a nice turn on a bad throw functionally playing shortstop on an over shift. Good stretch at third on a bunt force. Hands and instincts are fine. Could be above-average at first.
Arm 70 Plus-plus arm strength. Doesn't always get to all of it while on the move. Can be a bit scattershot
Overall

This is my eighth season doing this and Guerrero has the best bat of any prospect I have seen. Plus-plus hit is a "reasonable" projection here, but I wouldn't be shocked if it's eventually elite given more experience against high-level pitching. The body portends a likely move across the diamond in his 20s, but the bat will easily carry a first base profile, and he's a better athlete than you'd guess on first glance. One of the premier prospects in the game today. Elite potential even at the lowest end of the defensive spectrum. Could beat the 2019 ETA if Toronto elects to push him.

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