Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is having a massively disappointing 2026 season for the Toronto Blue Jays, with his on-field production falling way short of All-Star level, even though he got the fan vote. It’s a rough scene to watch when a player of his caliber just isn’t delivering, and for Vlad Jr., the biggest problem is glaring.
The Shocking Collapse of Power
ESPN’s David Schoenfield hit the nail on the head, pointing out Vlad Jr.’s struggles are thanks in large part to a “shocking” lack of the one key skill that normally makes him a superstar: power. We’re talking about a guy who crushes baseballs, but this season, it’s just not happening. He’s only clocked eight home runs through 473 at-bats and 533 plate appearances in the 2026 season. Get this: zero of those eight homers have come at home. Every single one was on the road. That’s a mind-blowing stat as September rolls around, seriously. To put it in perspective, he blasted nine home runs in just 60 games back in 2020. This year, in 126 games, he’s got one less. His career average home run rate coming into 2026 was a solid 4.3 percent. This season? It’s plummeted to a weak 1.5 percent. That’s a massive drop.
Beyond the Long Ball: A Deeper Dive
It’s not just the home run count that’s got Blue Jays fans scratching their heads. Schoenfield also highlighted a declining chase rate, which fell from the 89th percentile in 2025 all the way down to the 44th percentile this year. Plus, there’s been a noticeable drop in the number of “barrels” he’s hitting. While 22 doubles isn’t nothing, it’s still way below his 162-game career average of 34. For the first time in his MLB career, his slugging percentage has dropped below .433, sitting at a meager .357 this season, a far cry from his .480 career average. All these numbers scream one thing: the power just isn’t there, and it’s dragging down his entire offensive game.
This stunning drop-off from a player who was an All-Star should have Blue Jays fans and the entire organization incredibly concerned. What’s at stake here is more than just a few games; it’s what this slump means for the rest of their season and Vlad Jr.’s future. Everyone’s gotta be looking to see if he can find that lost power stroke before the final buzzer of the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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