Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s MLB Debut: A Look Back At The Blue Jays Star’s Historic 2019 Entry
Five years ago today, baseball royalty's heir stepped onto the MLB stage for Toronto's faithful
Sneha holds a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. With over four years of experience in writing, she specializes in crafting insightful articles for MLBcraze and Stylecraze. Sneha’s career journey includes roles as an instructional designer and freelance technical and research writer.
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The Toronto Blue Jays took to Instagram today to remind fans of a significant milestone in the franchise’s recent history. “¿Sabías que un día como hoy en el 2019 Vladdy Jr. hizo su debut en la MLB?” (Did you know that on this day in 2019, Vladdy Jr. made his MLB debut?), the team posted alongside an image celebrating Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s entrance into Major League Baseball.
The Son Of A Legend Arrives
Five years ago today, one of baseball’s most anticipated prospects finally arrived on the big stage. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., made his Major League debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on April 26, 2019, fulfilling years of expectations and hype surrounding his potential.
The post features an image of Guerrero Jr. in action, showcasing the powerful swing that has become his trademark. The young slugger entered the league carrying not just his father’s name but also enormous expectations as one of baseball’s top-ranked prospects at the time.
A Blue Jays Cornerstone
Since that debut five years ago, Guerrero Jr. has established himself as a cornerstone of the Blue Jays franchise. The Dominican-Canadian first baseman has developed into one of the league’s premier power hitters, following somewhat in the footsteps of his father who was known for his free-swinging approach and ability to hit pitches outside the strike zone.
The Blue Jays, established in 1977 as an expansion team, have built much of their current identity around young stars like Guerrero Jr. The franchise has won two World Series championships (1992 and 1993) and is the only MLB team based in Canada since the Montreal Expos relocated to Washington, D.C.
Vladdy’s Journey Since Debut
Guerrero’s development has been remarkable since that 2019 debut. After showing flashes of brilliance in his rookie season, he truly broke out in 2021 with one of the most impressive offensive seasons in recent memory, finishing second in American League MVP voting. That season, he hit 48 home runs with a .311 batting average and led the AL in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.
The power displayed by Guerrero Jr. has been a consistent feature of Blue Jays content, as evidenced by a recent post captioned “108 MPH 💥 Blink and you’ll miss it! #PLAKATA” showcasing one of his thunderous hits. The term “PLAKATA” has become synonymous with Guerrero’s powerful home runs among Blue Jays fans.
Part Of Toronto’s Dynamic Core
Guerrero isn’t alone in carrying the Blue Jays’ hopes. The team has assembled an impressive group of young talent that includes Bo Bichette, another second-generation MLB player. Together, they form part of an exciting core that has returned Toronto to competitive relevance in the challenging American League East division.
Recent Blue Jays social media activity highlights the team’s broader roster development. A post celebrating Paxton Schultz’s MLB debut noted that he “signed his big league deal right before going on the field… and then tied an MLB record,” referring to his record-tying eight strikeouts in a relief appearance debut. Another post showcased José Berríos, stating “¡La cultura latina presente en Toronto!” (Latin culture present in Toronto!), emphasizing the team’s significant Latino presence that includes Guerrero Jr.
Beyond Baseball: Toronto Sports Culture
The Blue Jays are also deeply integrated into Toronto’s broader sports culture. A recent post showed support for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they entered the NHL playoffs with the caption: “The Passion That Unites Us All 🏒 GO LEAFS GO! Good Luck In The Playoffs! #LeafsForever.” This cross-sport camaraderie illustrates how the Blue Jays position themselves as part of the city’s wider sporting identity.
The team even hosted the Stanley Cup at Rogers Centre recently, highlighting the intertwined nature of Toronto’s major sports franchises and their shared fan base.
Vladdy’s Impact Five Years Later
Looking back at Guerrero Jr.’s debut five years later provides perspective on how quickly he’s established himself among baseball’s elite. Already a multi-time All-Star with MVP-caliber seasons under his belt, it’s easy to forget he’s still in the early stages of what promises to be a lengthy career.
The Blue Jays’ celebration of this anniversary speaks to Guerrero’s importance to the franchise. From his initial debut as baseball’s top prospect to his current status as one of the game’s premier power hitters, Guerrero Jr. has lived up to the enormous expectations that accompanied his arrival in the majors.
As the 2024 season unfolds, Guerrero Jr. continues to be central to the Blue Jays’ aspirations, carrying forward a legacy that began five years ago today when he first stepped onto a major league field wearing Toronto’s blue and white.
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