Toronto Blue Jays rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is in the final week of a rookie season that has had him at the epicenter of MLB’s news cycle. Furthermore, after a tepid start; Guerrero had the home run derby that seemed to ignite a decent second half.
Entering Monday night, Guerrero has 15 home runs to go along with a .276 average and .789 OPS. While that isn’t going to end up in any record books, the back of his baseball card won’t look terribly odd on the first line as he goes on to post larger numbers in the future.
However, recently Guerrero Jr. made headlines for the wrong reasons. Furthermore, he told Arash Madani who regularly covers the team that he’s never worked out at the gym before, and then some.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. admitted to me: “I’ve never worked out at the gym before, I’ve never lifted weights before.” That, he says, will change this off-season, where he insists “my priority is definitely playing third.” Here's the full story, as we just shared on the broadcast — pic.twitter.com/li3q5YyZIY
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) September 21, 2019
While not all young players know the value of conditioning, it’s rare you see something like this:
“I’ve never worked out at the gym before, I’ve never lifted weights before. I mean, I’m just like this naturally. So this offseason for the first time, that’s what I am going to concentrate on. I’m going to get in the gym, I’m going to lift weights and get more strength. My priority is definitely playing third base.”
Certainly – if you have watched Guerrero Jr. at any capacity – it seems he could use some work in the conditioning and strength department. First off, he receives regular days off from the Blue Jays in addition to scheduled team off days. Second, he’s really worn down as the season draws to a close; and is without a home run since August 22nd.
Now the interesting thing is the comment took two days to marinade within the general public. Then, someone came to Guerrero Jr. perhaps and said he should clarify his comment. He did that with Shi Davidi who is a beat writer for the team, among others.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., just met with media to clarify comments from the weekend, says he does lift weights, just not when home in DR, where he does other types of workouts. #BlueJays
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) September 23, 2019
Via the Toronto Star, here’s what Guerrero really meant with his initial quote (wink, wink):
“What I (was) trying to say is, in the off-season in the Dominican, I never (lifted) weights before,” he said. “For this season, I’m going to have a plan with the team, with (major league head strength coach) Scotty Weberg and the whole strength and conditioning staff, and that’s going to start in the off-season through all the way to spring training.”
Therefore, Guerrero Jr. just meant he only works out in the Dominican in the offseason. How many of you out there are reading this and saying ‘I see’ rhetorically? Indeed, you’re not alone.
Altogether, Guerrero Jr. is a phenomenal young talent who helps to popularize and attract eyes to the sport across three countries. If you like baseball, you are rooting for Guerrero Jr. to find his way to the gym this winter.
