Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is batting .273 with four home runs and slugging .358, the lowest mark of his career, so far in the 2026 season. On Friday, Hall of Famer Albert Pujols urged Guerrero to make a mechanical change to his swing.
What happened?
Albert Pujols, who managed Guerrero with the Dominican Republic at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, broke down a specific mechanical flaw while on MLB Network.
Pujols described the issue as a "wrapping" problem where the bat sticks out too far behind the head at the start of the swing, creating a longer and slower path to connect.
Why it matters for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Guerrero's power numbers have been a concern all season long, hitting just four home runs throughout nearly half of the 2026 season.
He hit 48 homers in 2021 and has averaged 28 per season from 2022 to 2025. A corrected swing path could be the key to unlocking the production that Toronto has been missing.
What comes next?
Pujols' fix to the problem is to work on "separation", where Guerrero should have his bat closer to his lower body at the start of a swing, putting him in a stronger position before committing to the swing.
Guerrero's next game could be crucial in determining whether the advice from Pujols will have an immediate impact on his performance.
On 26 Jun, Athlon Sports reported that Guerrero is looking to turn his season around, and the advice from Pujols might be just what he needs.
The Blue Jays are chasing a second straight postseason appearance, and Guerrero's production will be vital to their success.
Albert Pujols, a 3-time MVP, might be the most qualified person in baseball to offer advice to a struggling player like Guerrero.
Guerrero will look to implement the changes suggested by Pujols and get back to his usual form, starting with the Blue Jays' next game.