Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays is ranked by MLB Network as one of the top 10 first basemen.
In the most recent installment of a position-by-position series that has been going on all month, Guerrero came in at No. 7 on MLB Network’s Top 10 First Baseman Right Now.The complete list of MLB Network’s best first basemen is as follows:
1. Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
2. Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
3. Matt Olson, Atlanta Braves
4. Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals
5. Yandy Diaz, Tampa Bay Rays
6. Pete Alonso, New York Mets
7. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
8. Brandon Belt, Free Agent
9. Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks
Guerrero just finished what may have been his least productive season to date, yet he was still selected for his third straight All-Star Game. In 156 games in 2023, he batted.264 with 26 home runs, 94 RBI, a.788 OPS, and a 2.0 WAR.
Guerrero’s 2021 campaign, when he led the American League in home runs, OPS, and oWAR (1.002 to 6.4), was his finest season to date. In the AL MVP vote that year, he came in second place behind Shohei Ohtani.
In his major league career, Guerrero, at 24 years old, has blasted 130 home missiles, 404 RBI, and 706 hits while batting.279 with an.844 OPS and 15.2 WAR. Guerrero has only missed nine games in total over the last four seasons.
Guerrero took home the Gold Glove in 2022 and the Silver Slugger in 2021.Guerrero lost ground in the first baseman rankings due to an inconsistent 2023, even though he was ranked third at this time last year. Harper advancing to first base, Diaz taking home the AL hitting crown, and Olson and Alonso surpassing Guerrero each thanks to their persistent power surges.
So far, MLB Network has included a couple more Blue Jays players on its various Top 10 lists. Alejandro Kirk was their No. 7 catcher, George Springer was their No. 7 right fielder, and Bo Bichette was their No. 6 shortstop. Neither second basemen nor starting pitchers from Toronto made the cut on their respective lists.