Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leadership skillset has not gone unnoticed on WBC world stage

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to earn recognition for his growth both on and off the field following the Toronto Blue Jays' deep postseason run last year.

The 26-year-old star helped lead Toronto to within two outs of its first World Series title since 1993, delivering a dominant performance at the plate. Guerrero hit .397 with eight home runs and 15 RBIs across 18 playoff games, leading all hitters in those categories during the postseason.

According to ESPN insider Buster Olney, Guerrero also showed noticeable growth as a leader during the Blue Jays' late-season push.

Speaking on TSN's First Up, Olney said teammates Myles Straw and George Springer pointed out that Guerrero began taking on a more vocal role in the clubhouse after previously preferring to lead by example.

While Guerrero's regular-season numbers were solid, a .292 average with 23 home runs and 84 RBIs, they didn't match the dominance he displayed in October. Still, Springer believes the playoff success could be a springboard for an even bigger season.

«George looked at me when I asked about Vladdy as a hitter and said he's only scratching the surface,» Olney said.

Guerrero briefly appeared in spring training with Toronto, recording three hits in nine at-bats before joining the Dominican Republic for the World Baseball Classic.

Through two games, he has posted a 1.208 OPS with six RBIs.
Now entering his seventh season with the Blue Jays, Guerrero owns a .288 career batting average with 183 home runs.

He's also a five-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove winner.

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