Vladimir Guerrero Jr. received a D+ for his production and lineup presence. He earned the opportunity to advance to Phase 2 of the AL All-Star Game voting, collecting 2,459,950 votes.
What happened?
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s first-half resume was compared to Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz's. The statistics showed a significant difference: Kurtz had a 3.7 WAR, 19 home runs, and a .540 slugging percentage, while Guerrero had a 0.8 WAR, 4 home runs, and a .363 slugging percentage.
Guerrero's contract status was also mentioned, as he is scheduled to make $35.7 million this season. He opened the season by slashing .277/.360/.363 with 32 RBI and six stolen bases.
Why it matters for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.?
The two-time Silver Slugger award winner has collected back-to-back RBI outings only five times this season. This inconsistency led to his failing grade, despite being an All-Star starter four of the past five seasons.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will face New York Yankees' Ben Rice for the right to start the July 14 midsummer showcase in Philadelphia. Guerrero's production will be closely watched, as he has averaged more than 30 home runs and nearly 100 RBI over the past half-decade.
What comes next?
Guerrero's performance on Friday, where he went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored, may be a sign of improvement. He was scheduled to bat second against Rangers starter Cal Quantrill on Saturday.
The comparison between Guerrero and Kurtz will continue, with Kurtz playing on a one-year, $785,000 deal. Guerrero's $14-year, $500 million deal will be under scrutiny, as he will not be a free agent until 2040.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s fans will be hoping for a turnaround in his performance, as he looks to stack production and prove his worth. His next game will be closely watched, as he tries to improve his statistics and live up to his contract.