Leading off the eighth inning for Toronto Blue Jays in their game on Wednesday against the New York Yankees, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was already having a big game. With one swing, he made it bigger.
Guerrero, who already had three hits, including a home run in the first and third innings, launched his third longball of the night. He didn’t wait around, either, taking the first offering from Jonathan Loáisiga over the left-field wall.
🎶 And Vladdy got the hatty 💥 #PLAKATA pic.twitter.com/0telD4C6Be
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 14, 2022
Guerrero is one of baseball’s brightest young superstars. Him exceling on any stage is going to be noticed. Him dominating MLB’s highest profile team is going to catch the attention of even more people.
That was the case on Wednesday night.
Vlad Jr is 23 years, 28 days old today
That's the 2nd-youngest of any player at the time of his 2nd 3-homer game, older than only:
Boog Powell, 22 years & 315 days old at time of his 2nd 3-HR game
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 14, 2022
Vlad Jr is younger than the number one prospect in baseball lol
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) April 14, 2022
HOW DUMB DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO KEEP PITCHING TO VLAD??? HES ON FIRE.
— Jimmy Randazzo (@JimmyRandazzo) April 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/PlayoffTanaka_/status/1514419572069314566
Vlad Jr is 4-4 with 3HRs and a 2B. Wow. Be careful with him next week PLEASE
— Lou Merloni (@LouMerloni) April 14, 2022
Vlad Guerrero Jr. just hit a ball to Canada, his third homer of the night at Yankee Stadium. Goodness.
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 14, 2022
Sometimes they are just better .. bro i got no words for Vlad guerrero Jr #TOR 5 – #NYY 3 #repbx pic.twitter.com/QJsLC4mlKi
— JoezMcfly🇩🇴 (@JoezMcfLy) April 14, 2022
The Yankees pitching staff was othewise strong against the potent Blue Jays offense on the evening. Guerrero accounted for three of Toronto’s six runs and four of its eight hits. Fortunately for the Blue Jays, his contributions did count.
Toronto defeated New York 6-4. Fittingly enough, the game’s final out was recorded by Guerrero when he snagged a line drive from Josh Donaldson.
Guerrero had yet to break out on the season. He entered Wednesday’s game with only one home run and was hitting .263/.300/.421. Those numbers look a lot better now. After Wednesday, he has four home runs with a .391/.417/.957 slash line. Guerrero heating up is ideal for the Blue Jays. For their future opposing pitchers — not so much.
