The second coming? Vlad Guerrero Jr. signs with Blue Jays
We loved free-swinging Vladimir Guerrero during his playing days and soon enough, we’ll see if we love the sequel.
Vlad Guerrero Jr., the most recognizable name in this year’s international free-agent class, which was allowed to begin signing with MLB teams Thursday, has agreed to join the Toronto Blue Jays. According to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez, Vlad Jr. is getting a $3.9 million deal from the Jays that should allow him to start his baseball career in Canada like his famous father.
The elder Guerrero signed with the Montreal Expos in 1993, as an 18-year-old out of the Dominican Republic. He proceeded to win an MVP and hit 449 homers in his 16-year career. The younger Vlad is just 16 years old, but scouts (and baseball fans) have already been watching him for a while.
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His highlight videos have made the rounds of the baseball-loving Internet and fans have enjoyed comparing his swing to his dad’s. See this GIF we made last year:
This isn’t a case of famous bloodlines giving a kid a shot. Vlad Jr. was the No. 4 international prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Scouts love his powerful swing and big body — he’s bigger than his dad was at 16.
Vlad Jr. now joins a few of his family members in the pro baseball ranks. His cousin Gregory Guerrero signed with the New York Mets on Wednesday, where brother Jose Guerrero signed last season. Older cousin Gabriel Guerrero is in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system. They’ve all trained at the Guerrero Baseball Academy in the Dominican Republic where former big leaguer Wilton Guerrero, Vlad’s older brother, is one of the instructors.
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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
