Top international amateur Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signs with Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Vladimir Guerrero Jr., his father, former MLB great Vladimir Guerrero, confirmed on Twitter. He will reportedly receive a $4.1 million signing bonus.
Guerrero Sr. is a former MVP outfielder who spent 16 years in the majors and was selected to nine All-Star teams. Guerrero Jr., 16, is listed at 6'1", 210 pounds. Baseball America ranked him as the top international prospect in this year's signing class, describing him as “an offensive-oriented prospect who several scouts said has the top combination of hitting ability and power in this year’s class.” Scouts, however, say he doesn't have the speed or defensive ability his father did.
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Two of Guerrero's cousins are also MLB prospects. Gabriel Guerrero, 22, is an outfielder in the Arizona Diamondbacks' system, and 16-year-old Gregory Guerrero signed a contract with the New York Mets on Thursday.
Both Vladimir Jr. and Gregory are trained by their uncle, Vladimir Sr.'s brother Wilton Guerrero, who played eight years in the majors as a utilityman.
- Dan Gartland
