Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been one of the most talked-about players in Major League Baseball this season, and for good reason. The 22-year-old third baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays has been on an absolute tear at the plate, hitting .332 with 22 home runs and 66 RBI through 87 games. While his natural talent and physical abilities are certainly a factor in his success, many experts believe that his plate approach has played a significant role in his production this season.

So, what exactly is Guerrero Jr.’s plate approach, and how has it impacted his performance for the Blue Jays? To answer these questions, we need to take a closer look at some of the key metrics and statistics that are used to evaluate a player’s plate approach.

One of the most important metrics in this regard is walk rate, which measures the percentage of plate appearances in which a batter draws a walk. In Guerrero Jr.’s case, his walk rate has increased significantly this season, from 8.6% in 2020 to 14.2% in 2021. This means that he is being more selective at the plate, waiting for pitches that he can drive rather than swinging at everything that comes his way.

Another key metric is strikeout rate, which measures the percentage of plate appearances in which a batter strikes out. In Guerrero Jr.’s case, his strikeout rate has actually decreased slightly this season, from 17.7% in 2020 to 16.6% in 2021. This suggests that he is making more contact with pitches overall, which is always a good sign for a hitter.

Perhaps the most telling metric when it comes to Guerrero Jr.’s plate approach is his chase rate, which measures the percentage of pitches outside the strike zone that a batter swings at. In Guerrero Jr.’s case, his chase rate has decreased significantly this season, from 28.6% in 2020 to 20.5% in 2021. This means that he is laying off pitches that are not in his wheelhouse, which is a key component of any successful plate approach.

So, how has Guerrero Jr.’s improved plate approach translated into better production for the Blue Jays? The numbers speak for themselves. His batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage have all increased significantly this season, as has his OPS (on-base plus slugging), which is widely considered to be one of the best overall measures of a hitter’s production.

In addition to these traditional statistics, Guerrero Jr.’s improved plate approach has also had an impact on some more advanced metrics. For example, his wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) has increased from 132 in 2020 to 183 in 2021, which means that he is creating nearly twice as many runs per plate appearance as the average MLB player.

Overall, it is clear that Guerrero Jr.’s plate approach has been a major factor in his success this season. By being more selective at the plate, making more contact with pitches overall, and laying off pitches outside the strike zone, he has become one of the most dangerous hitters in the game today. As he continues to refine his approach and develop his skills, there is no telling how high his ceiling might be.