Vladimir Guerrero Jr.is ready to make his debut…
The 20-year-old Dominican professional baseball third baseman, widely considered one of the top prospects in baseball, will be called up by the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday and is expected to make his major league debut, manager Charlie Montoyoannounced.
Guerrero, the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, was No. 2 on ESPN insider Keith Law‘s 2019 top prospects list. The Jays have yet to announce a corresponding roster move.
“It’s going to be a great moment. I get goosebumps just thinking about it,” Montoyo told ESPN’s Marly Rivera. “We have been talking about this for a long time, and it’s just so exciting that the moment is finally here.
“I am so happy. This was such an important moment, not only for the city of Toronto and for the Toronto Blue Jays but for our entire baseball community, that the No. 1 prospect in baseball will debut Friday. He is so talented, that the sky is the limit for that young kid. In my case, personally, I am just excited to see him play every day and see what he can do.”
Guerrero’s father, who played the first eight seasons of his 16-year career with the Montreal Expos, took to Twitterto celebrate the news.
“My son! The country that saw you as a child will now see you turn into a big one. Working hard everything can be done. I’m proud of you,” he wrote. T
Toronto will host the Oakland Athleticson Friday for the start of a three-game series, with right-hander Mike Fiers scheduled to start for the A’s and Marcus Stromantaking the hill for the Blue Jays.
Montoyo told Rivera that he hasn’t decided where he’ll slot Guerrero in the lineup.
Guerrero hit .381 with 20 homers and 78 RBIs in 95 games while rocketing through four levels of minor league ball last season.
There was a possibility that he could make the Blue Jays’ big league roster out of spring training, but a strained oblique early in spring camp ruined any chance of that.
Guerrero has continued to perform this season with Triple-A Buffalo, hitting .367 with three homers and eight RBIs in eight games, including a home run in Wednesday’s game.
Montoyo told Rivera that it will be his job as manager to ease the amount of pressure on Guerrero.
“The great thing about this kid is that he’s so humble, he’s so unique,” Montoyo said. “He acts and plays like he’s been in the big leagues for a long time, and it will be an easy transition for him.”