With an MLB-leading 22 home runs, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has spent this season putting on an offensive show with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Soon, that spectacle may once again take centre stage at the Home Run Derby, too.
“Regarding the derby, I’m still thinking about it,” Guerrero Jr. told reporters on Tuesday, via a translator. “I’m not sure, I’m not going to lie to you, I’m more yes than no. But I haven’t decided yet.”
The first, and most recent, time Guerrero Jr. participated in the Derby was a history-making night in 2019.
On his way to eventually beating Matt Chapman of the Oakland Athletics in the first round, the Blue Jays star hit 29 home runs, which surpassed Josh Hamilton’s mark of 28 in 2008 for the most in any single round in Derby history.
The next round, Guerrero Jr. matched his own record, finishing with another 29, and nearly hit 30 but his last drive in bonus time couldn’t quite clear the left-field wall at Progressive Field. The young star’s captivating run ended with 91 total homers, but he came up just short of being crowned champion, losing to Pete Alsonso whose 23 final-round home runs beat him by a single homer.
“The main reason I’m leaning to yes is because I will have the privilege to have my dad there and my brothers [there] and that will be great,” Guerrero Jr. said. “And of course, in 2019, I enjoyed the moment. I had fun. It was all great. Now, on the other hand, I gotta see how my body feels. That will be the main reason, how I feel, if I decline or not.”
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