A disappointing 2019 campaign appeared to be a wake up call for a young Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. With some calling him the best hitting prospect in recent memory, a .269/.336/.444 line in a COVID-shortened season had some questioning the labels placed on him as a prospect. With renewed focus and an overhauled conditioning plan, Guerrero, Jr. lived up to all of the hype and more in 2021 to earn the Roger Dorn Baseball League Hitter of the Year Award.
"Vladdy Daddy" completed the RDBL Regular Season pacing all hitters in scoring with 457.5, 43.0 more than Cedric Mullins who ranked second. An American League leading .406 on base percentage spoke volumes about an improved approach while his power was on full display with 36 home runs.
Guerrero, just 22 years old, is the youngest recipient of the RDBL Hitter of the Year Award and joins the likes of Mike Trout, Michael Brantley, Bryce Harper, Charlie Blackmon and Mookie Betts to take home the honor. He also becomes the first player to win the award in their 1R/$1 activation season, proving to be one the best valued seasons in RDBL History.
Guerrero, Jr. was originally a 2016 4th Round selection by the Maltese Falcons before he was dealt to the Meinert Hops in a blockbuster deal for Jake Arrieta with Yoan Moncada and Ian Happ also headed to the Hops. The Hops would look to shore up a rough pitching staff a year later, dealing Guerrero and Moncada to the Spokane Fightin' Fish for Michael Fulmer, Julio Urias and Addison Reed.
With the Fish transferring into win-now mode in 2017 and the Stacks set to the miss the Playoffs, the club's found a deal which moved Guerrero, Jr. to his fourth club and ultimate home. The Stacks would land Guerrero for Jose Quintana, Danny Duffy and Carlos Gonzalez with the trio helping the Fish to a Regular Season Title and 2nd Place Finish in the Playoffs.
Guerrero, Jr. started the 2021 Playoffs with an exclamation point Monday night, blasting two home runs for the Stacks who will try and take advantage of his historic season as they chase their first RDBL Title in Franchise History.
Media Voting: 1. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (Stacks), 2. Shohei Ohtani (Grapes)
3. Cedric Mullins (Goutfish)
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