Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. purposely drops infield fly, starting double play

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 8/19/23

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made a heads-up defensive play Friday against the Cincinnati Reds by letting a fly ball drop to the field on purpose.

In the bottom of the seventh, with a runner on first and one out, Reds outfielder Will Benson was slow out of the box after lifting a high pop-up in the infield, which Guerrero wisely watched fall to the grass before starting a 3-4-6 double play.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. INTENTIONALLY missed this pop up.

(MLB X @Chevron) pic.twitter.com/rbISW9K8Ca
— MLB (@MLB) August 19, 2023

Guerrero's heady play is just another sign of his growth at first base. Initially a third baseman, Guerrero made the change in 2020, moving across the way to first while also serving occasionally as the Blue Jays' designated hitter. However, so far in 2023, Guerrero has made over two-thirds of his starts at first base.

While Guerrero is adjusting nicely at first, his offense hasn't been there in 2023. After averaging 40 homers and 104 RBI over the previous two seasons, Guerrero is having a down year at the plate. Through 119 games, the slugger hasn't looked like himself, slashing .264/.341/.434 with 18 home runs and 72 RBI.

Furthermore, Guerrero went 0-for-3 on Friday and has struggled in August, going 13-of-58 at the plate with only one long ball and six RBI in 15 games.

Fortunately for the Blue Jays, Guerrero's lackluster output hasn't hurt the club too much. Despite suffering a 1-0 loss to the Reds on Friday, Toronto is still in the postseason mix. At 67-55, the Blue Jays remain tied with the Seattle Mariners (66-55) for the third and final wild-card spot in the American League. However, they haven't played well as of late. Friday's loss was the Blue Jays' sixth defeat in their last nine games.

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