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Kevin Kiermaier praises Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as the top player in Major League Baseball currently
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    Kevin Kiermaier praises Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as the top player in Major League Baseball currently

    After going 1-for-4 with yet another extra-base hit in Wednesday’s loss to the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.‘s OPS in the month of July dropped to 1.112.

    While Guerrero’s heater might not be enough to earn him the American League July Player of the Month honours — thanks to Bobby Witt Jr. — it has completely altered the shape of his season.

    The 25-year-old has looked every bit the part of the “generational” talent that he was supposed to be coming up through the Blue Jays system, and even his now former teammates are impressed by the level he’s been playing at.

    “What he’s done the past month and a half is absolutely incredible,” the newest member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kevin Kiermaier, said while appearing on Blair & Barker Wednesday. “He is on a tear, and I tell him that all the time. I was glad I had a moment with him the other day, and I said, ‘I would come out and pay to watch you play when you have this demeanour, this attitude showing up.’

    “Ever since that haircut, I don’t know what it’s about, but he just hit a different gear and that’s always in him.”

    Since finishing as the American League MVP runner-up in 2021, Guerrero has set a bar that would be near impossible for most players to reach. 48 home runs, 111 RBIs and a .311/.401/.601 slash line aren’t exactly numbers that are reached all that often in the modern era of MLB.

    It’s those expectations that Kiermaier thinks have been unfairly placed at the four-time All-Star’s feet.

    “He has to live up to so much… Last year, I know people give him a lot of grief, but I think he hit like .278, (26) homers and (94) RBIs and that’s a down year for Vladdy,” Kiermaier said.

    After Guerrero’s 2023 campaign saw him finish with a .788 OPS, there were concerns if he would ever be able to replicate the heights that he reached in 2021.

    But as the calendar turns to August, Guerrero has returned to his place among the best hitters in the game.

    “Vladdy is the best player in the big league right now,” Kiermaier said. “He is so locked in. Hits everything as hard as can be. The other night, hits three doubles, a homer in the second half of that doubleheader.

    “He is all sorts of locked in right now and a phenomenal human being, I love him. So, if I was GM, I would be paying the man, but I’m a centre-fielder so it doesn’t matter what I think.”

    Guerrero, of course, is scheduled to become a free agent following the 2025 season and despite constant trade speculation leading up to the deadline, has continued to talk about his desire to stay in Toronto long-term.

    “He’s gonna be incredible for years to come. He just has ‘It’,” Kiermaier said. “I’m stating the obvious, but he’s on a different planet right now.”

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    Kevin Kiermaier, the talented center fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays, recently made headlines by praising Toronto Blue Jays’ third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as the top player in Major League Baseball at the moment. Kiermaier’s comments have sparked a debate among baseball fans and analysts, with many agreeing that Guerrero Jr.’s performance this season has been nothing short of outstanding.

    Guerrero Jr., the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., has been on a tear this season, leading the league in several offensive categories. The 22-year-old slugger has been hitting for both power and average, with a batting average well above .300 and an impressive number of home runs and RBIs. His performance at the plate has been nothing short of spectacular, and he has quickly established himself as one of the most feared hitters in the game.

    Kiermaier, who is known for his exceptional defensive skills in center field, was quick to praise Guerrero Jr.’s abilities both at the plate and in the field. In a recent interview, Kiermaier stated, “Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is just on another level right now. He’s hitting the ball with such authority and consistency, and he’s making plays in the field that are just jaw-dropping. He’s the complete package, and I think he’s the best player in the game right now.”

    Many baseball fans and analysts have echoed Kiermaier’s sentiments, pointing to Guerrero Jr.’s impressive statistics and all-around performance as evidence of his status as the top player in Major League Baseball. Guerrero Jr.’s combination of power, average, and defensive skills make him a rare talent, and he has quickly become a player that opposing teams fear facing.

    As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to see if he can maintain his torrid pace and solidify his status as the top player in Major League Baseball. With his exceptional skills and work ethic, there’s no doubt that Guerrero Jr. has the potential to be a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate for years to come. Kevin Kiermaier’s praise is just the latest in a long line of accolades for the young superstar, and it’s clear that Guerrero Jr. is a player who will continue to make headlines for years to come.