It's no secret that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball (MLB) this decade. The Canadian of Dominican descent combines youth and talent like few other players today.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a Canadian of Dominican descent, debuted in the Major Leagues in 2019, wearing the uniform of his current and only MLB team, the Toronto Blue Jays. From the beginning, he displayed great skills on the field. But it wasn't until the 2021 season that he became a renowned and respected slugger, leading the American League in home runs (48), OBP (.401), SLG (.601), and OPS (1.002). He finished second in the MVP voting.

In the current season, "El K" has 45 runs scored and 34 RBIs, reaching 600-600 for his career in these two offensive categories (currently with 616 runs scored and 625 RBIs). The combination of 600 runs in both categories, a batting average of .285 or higher, and an age under 28 has only been achieved among active MLB players by Mike Trout and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. emulated Mike Trout's feat

Before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reached this milestone this season, Mike Trout had accomplished it between 2011 and 2019, when he recorded 903 runs scored, 752 RBIs, and a batting average of .305. The Toronto Blue Jays star will continue adding to his stats this season (his average may go up or down), as he won't turn 28 until next year. But, for now, he and the Los Angeles outfielder are the only active players to have achieved such a feat.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is also the only player in Toronto Blue Jays franchise history to achieve a 600-600 record and a .285 batting average before turning 28. His father, who shares the same name and is a member of the Cooperstown Hall of Fame, recorded 570 runs, 623 RBIs, and a .322 batting average from 1996 to 2002 during that same period (before turning 28). In fact, César Cedeño and Albert Pujols are the only players born in the Dominican Republic to have achieved this feat. Only one Canadian has accomplished it: Vladdy Jr.

Now, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. belongs to an exclusive group of first basemen in MLB

After reaching these milestones before the age of 28, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. joined seven other first basemen in Major League Baseball history. The first to achieve this feat was Jake Beckley, who from 1888 to 1895 recorded 767 runs, 755 RBIs, and a .305 batting average. He was followed by Lou Gehrig (774-808; .342), Jimmie Foxx (975-1075; .339), Hal Trosky (715-860; .314), Orlando Cepeda (647-752; .308), Eddie Murray (615-697; .297), and the aforementioned Albert Pujols.

Of these first basemen, only Trosky and Pujols are not yet inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. However, the Dominican will likely be inducted in his first year of eligibility. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s membership in such a prestigious group speaks volumes about his quality as a player. The five-time All-Star, winner of two Silver Slugger Awards and a Gold Glove, is a true legend.

Who is Vladimir Guerrero Jr.?

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a player who identifies as Dominican but was born in Canada while his father, the legendary Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, was shining with the Montreal Expos. "Vladdy Jr." was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays at 16 years old as the most highly touted international prospect in his class.

His rise through the Minor Leagues was meteoric, and he made his MLB debut on April 26, 2019. Since arriving in the Big Leagues, he has gone from a promising prospect to a dominant force. His breakout season came in 2021, when he led the American League in home runs (48) and runs scored, finishing second in the MVP voting and winning the Hank Aaron Award. He also won the Home Run Derby (2023), joining his father as the only father-son pair to achieve this feat.

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