Transformation of the Blue Jays' Season:
Vibing with the Blue Jay's Rise:
Gregor Chisholm is a Toronto-based baseball columnist for the Star. You can connect with him on Twitter: @GregorChisholm or drop him an email at [email protected].
The Toronto Blue Jays have been blazing a trail through Major League Baseball since May, and while there are questions about their long-term success, there's one reason that keeps their momentum going strong.
That reason? The team's revitalized lineup, baby! A team that was languishing at the bottom of the charts in most major categories earlier in the season, has now climbed to the top for nearly six weeks running.
The surge in runs isn't just because of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s top form. That undisputed face of the franchise still racks up hits and reaches base in almost every game, but the big homers are still missing.
If the team was losing games left and right, this would be a significant concern. But with their current winning streak, Guerrero's lack of homers might even be a good thing. With that much raw power, the big blasts are sure to come eventually, and when they do, it could help keep the Jays' success from fizzling out.
"I'm not getting the homers I'd like," Guerrero admitted to The Star in an English-speaking interview before Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. "But I'm grinding out solid at-bats in any situation. If I have to move the runners or get on base, I'll find a way."
John Schneider, the Jays' manager, said on Wednesday that when Guerrero goes yard, they usually come in bunches. He also pointed out that last year, Guerrero had a similar slow start before catching fire as spring transitioned into summer.
Schneider isn't far off. In 2024, through the first 72 games, Guerrero was batting .276 with 7 homers and a .776 on-base plus slugging percentage. Over his final 87 games, his production shot up to a .355 average, 23 homers, and a 1.072 OPS.
As for this season, the numbers aren't much different through the same number of games. Guerrero's batting .286 with 9 homers and an .832 OPS. Will 2025 see another sensational second half from Guerrero? The Jays sure hope so.
"When he's in rhythm, he can take off like a rocket," Schneider said of Guerrero, who went 2-for-2 with a double, 3 RBIs, and 3 walks on Wednesday. "He's still hitting the ball hard and taking his walks, which is impressive. As long as he's making solid contact, he'll be fine."
While Guerrero faced criticism for the lack of homers after signing his $500-million (U.S.) contract, he's still finding ways to contribute. This year, he went on a career-high 34-game on-base streak, and he ranks sixth in the American League with a .390 on-base percentage. He's also second with an average exit velocity of 93.6 m.p.h. and fourth with a 54.7 hard-hit ball percentage.
This season and the one before it offer evidence of Guerrero's progression as an all-around hitter. When the ball isn't flying out of the park, a lot of power hitters struggle to find other ways to contribute. But that hasn't been an issue for Guerrero, who is batting .360 with runners in scoring position.
Even better, there are signs that Guerrero might be turning a corner. After his multi-hit performance on Wednesday, he's batting .324 with 9 extra-base hits over his last 18 games, including a 448-foot blast he hit to left during Tuesday's 5-4 victory over the Diamondbacks.
That home run came on the same day that Schneider decided to slot Guerrero into the No. 3 hole of the lineup. Whether that decision had anything to do with Guerrero's big night is anyone's guess, but historically, Guerrero has had better numbers batting third. In 499 games hitting third, he has a .300 average and .915 OPS.
For his part, Guerrero has been open about his preference to hit third and he's hoping the new lineup sticks. But he's not pushy about it.
"I've always enjoyed hitting third," Guerrero said. "When I saw (Tuesday's lineup), I was just happy. For the most part, I prefer hitting third. But I'm a team player. If they need me second, I'll do it. If they want me third, I'll do it."
If Guerrero's power bat is on the brink of warming up, it would be terrible news for the rest of the AL. For the Jays, it would just be what they need to keep their current run going strong.
Opinion pieces are built on the author's views and judgments based on facts, data, and events. For more specific insights, a closer look at historical batting statistics by lineup spot (second vs. third) may be necessary.
- Gregor Chisholm, a Toronto-based sports columnist, covers the city's baseball team, the Toronto Blue Jays, for a news outlet, and can be reached via Twitter or email.
- The Toronto Blue Jays have been outperforming most teams in Major League Baseball since May, propelled by a revitalized lineup.
- While Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the team's star player, has been consistently racking up hits, his home run production has been less consistent, raising questions.
- However, with the team on a winning streak, some believe Guerrero's lack of homers could be a good thing, as big blasts are sure to come eventually and might help sustain the team's success.
