Toronto Blue Jaysfirst basemanVladimir Guerrero Jr. is in the midst of a down season. The 27-year-old superstar is in the first year of his massive 14-year, $500 million contract extension signed in April 2025, and he has really struggled.
Across 76 games, he has posted a .277 batting average, .360 on-base percentage, .724 OPS, four home runs and 32 RBIs. His power has completely fallen off for a player who led MLB in home runs with 48 just five years ago.
Still, optimism remains that Guerrero can turn it around as the second half of the season approaches. After all, he is a five-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and Gold Glove award winner.
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Despite his struggles, Guerrero still has the support of an entire country. Canada has been showing out for the Blue Jays during this year's All-Star Game voting, and the team will have plenty of representation at this year's Midsummer Classic.
Guerrero will potentially be among them, even if his numbers alone may not fully justify it. The Blue Jays announced ahead of Thursday's series opener against the Texas Rangers that Guerrero had earned enough votes to advance to Phase 2.
"The corners leading the charge 💥😤 Vladdy and Kaz are Finalists!" the team wrote on X.
Guerrero won by a landslide, gathering more than a million more votes than the American League runner-up at first base, New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice. As voting transitions to the second phase, the count resets and Guerrero will go head-to-head against Rice to earn the starting spot for the AL.
Phase 2 opens at 12:00 P.M EST on Monday, June 29, giving fans 72 hours to cast their ballots before voting closes on Thursday, July 2.
