Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Named Top 10 First Baseman By MLB Network
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero has emerged as one of the best sluggers in the game over the past few years, and MLB Network recognized him as a top player at his position on Thursday night.
Guerrero came in at No. 7 on MLB Network's Top 10 First Baseman Right Now, the latest in a position-by-position series that has been running all month.
Here is MLB Network's full list of its top first basemen:
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
10. Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox
Guerrero is coming off arguably his least productive season yet, although he did manage to make his third consecutive All-Star Game. He hit .264 with 26 home runs, 94 RBI, a .788 OPS and a 2.0 WAR in 156 games in 2023.
The best season Guerrero has had thus far came back in 2021, when he led the American League with 48 home runs, a 1.002 OPS and a 6.4 oWAR. He finished second to Shohei Ohtani in AL MVP voting that year.
At 24 years old, Guerrero has belted 130 home runs with 404 RBI and 706 hits in his major league career, all while batting .279 with an .844 OPS and 15.2 WAR. Over the past four seasons, Guerrero has missed a total of just nine games.
Guerrero won a Silver Slugger in 2021 and a Gold Glove in 2022.
An uneven 2023 cost Guerrero a few spots in the first baseman rankings, considering he came in at No. 3 this time last year. Harper moving to first base, Diaz winning the AL batting title and Olson and Alonso's continued power surges moved them each past Guerrero.
The Blue Jays have had a few other representatives on MLB Network's other Top 10 lists so far. Bo Bichette was their No. 6 shortstop, George Springer was their No. 7 right fielder and Alejandro Kirk was their No. 7 catcher. Toronto did not have any starting pitchers or second basemen make the cuts on their respective lists.
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