Jays moving Guerrero Jr. to 1B for 2020
11 Jul 2020 / 05:59 H.
The Toronto Blue Jays will use third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. primarily as a first baseman and designated hitter this season, manager Charlie Montoyo said Friday.
"Vladdy's gonna focus, during this camp, at first base, and we're going to keep his options open," Montoyo told reporters in a video press conference. "We've been talking about that since spring training, before we got shut down, and he was already taking ground balls at first base.
"... Vladdy feels motivated to do it."
Montoyo added that the move is not permanent, as Guerrero will still be an option at third base in the future.
Guerrero, 21, is entering his second season after hitting .272 with 15 homers and 69 RBIs in 123 games as a rookie in 2019. He made 94 starts at third base last season, committing 17 errors in 265 chances for a fielding rate of .936., ranking 39th among third basemen with at least 100 chances.
Boston's Rafael Devers was the only third baseman in the majors to commit more errors (22).
Guerrero started at DH in 24 games.
Travis Shaw, 30, is expected to work at third base after signing with Toronto as a free agent in December.
Shaw batted .157 with seven homers and 16 RBIs in 86 games for Milwaukee last year. In 71 games (56 starts) at third base, he posted a .979 fielding percentage, fourth among players with at least 100 chances.
--Field Level Media
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