The Vladimir Guerrero Jr. conundrum has once again captured the attention of baseball fans, leaving many to wonder where the power and dominance have gone. Through the first six weeks of the season, Guerrero has been a well-above-average hitter, but his lack of power and dominance has raised concerns. With a slugging percentage of .377 and only eight home runs in 42 games, Guerrero's performance has been a source of frustration for the Toronto Blue Jays and their fans.
One thing that stands out is the pressure on Guerrero to be the team's carrying force. The Blue Jays are struggling, sitting 21st in runs scored and tied for 23rd in team OPS. With injuries plaguing the lineup and rotation, the weight of the team's success has fallen on Guerrero's shoulders. This pressure, however, may be exacerbating his struggles.
Guerrero's swing is 'just a tick off,' according to manager John Schneider, and he's trying to do too much. This search for greatness is taking a toll on his mechanics and confidence. When he's loose and playing loose, Guerrero reaches a 'flow state,' but when he's trying to feel his body and get to his power, things become unnatural.
The issue is that Guerrero is not a sprinter, but a marathon runner. His production almost always arrives by the end of the season, and his OPS+ has been at least 30 percent better than league average in four of his last five seasons. However, right now, he's not there.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between Guerrero's performance this year and last year. Last year, through 42 games, Guerrero had an OPS hovering around .800, four homers, many walks, and plenty of groundballs. This year, it's basically the same thing. So, what's different?
In my opinion, the difference lies in the pressure and expectations. Guerrero is feeling the weight of the team's struggles and the need to be the hero. This pressure is affecting his mechanics and confidence, leading to an unnatural swing and a lack of power. It's a delicate balance, and the Blue Jays need to find a way to help Guerrero find his flow state without putting too much pressure on him.
From my perspective, the Blue Jays need to find a way to lighten the load on Guerrero. They need to find other players who can step up and carry the team, allowing Guerrero to find his rhythm and power. It's a challenging task, but it's necessary if the Blue Jays want to see Guerrero's true potential and turn their season around.
