]Time and time again, Toronto Blue Jays’ star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has demonstrated what he is capable of. Pitchers have often dreaded facing his batting prowess, and his four All-Star selections further cement his status as a formidable force. However, his low attack angle, which once made him one of the most reliable hitters, has become a limitation this season. And maybe, that’s what caused his home run limitations and his inability to reach a 40-home run mark over the past four seasons. As a result, Vladdy Jr. is being advised to make some adjustments to make himself worthy of the whopping $500 million he signed this season. 

It’s not that Guerrero Jr. doesn’t deserve the lucrative contract he received. He’s the guy who has consistently posted at least 26 home runs and 29 doubles, excelling at driving the ball to all fields for extra-base hits. Unlike other batters who focus on clearing the fences, Guerrero Jr. has relied on line drives. Yet, his inability to surpass the 40 home run barrier suggests that what was once an advantage may now be holding him back.

Analysts have questioned what it would take for Guerrero Jr. to become a perennial 40-home-run threat. Apparently, Insider David Adler seems to have an answer. “Those low attack angles also probably help explain why it’s not 40-plus home runs every season, even though Vlad Jr. is always among the league leaders in hard-hit balls and is one of the few hitters who can rip the baseball upwards of 115 mph, even 120 mph,” said Adler. Perhaps, focusing solely on line drives might not always be the most effective approach.

What sets the Blue Jays’ star apart is how he pairs exceptional power with a swing path more commonly seen in contact hitters. Typically, this type of swing is used by players who focus on putting the ball in play and causing trouble on the basepaths, rather than hitting for power. Guerrero Jr., though, takes a different approach. While he also aims to make solid contact, his intent is to drive the ball with such force that it rockets past infielders and outfielders alike.

However, Guerrero Jr. possesses one of the lowest attack angles in baseball, comparable to players like Jacob Wilson of the Athletics. By focusing on raw power and line drives, he sometimes fails to launch the ball at optimal angles for home runs. This season, Guerrero Jr. recorded just six home runs, 22 RBIs, a batting average of .274, a .380 OBP, and an OPS of .794. These numbers suggest that a change in approach could be just what he needs. But the real question here is: does Guerrero Jr. agree? 

What does the future hold for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.?

Well, it is still too early to determine if the 26-year-old can reach the 40-home run mark this season. But there’s no denying the fact that the Blue Jays have great faith in him. As they aspire for October glory, they expect Guerrero Jr. to help lead the team to new heights. Becoming the 40-home-run threat is certainly the goal for Guerrero Jr., he doesn’t think his game requires any adjustments. 

He remains committed to his lines-drives philosophy and has expressed reluctance to alter his swing mechanics. “I just try to hit it hard, and a line drive,” he told MLB Network. “I think the key for me is hitting line drives. [And] I tried that last year, hitting with launch angle, and all that. And I don’t like it.”

Guerrero Jr. puts a lot of effort into hitting the ball hard enough to get it past the opposing defense. However, this might simply be his natural style of play. When Vladdy Jr. gets everything right, he is capable of launching the ball high into the air—something that even insider Adler agrees with. But if his technique isn’t working, perhaps adopting a different approach could help him reach new milestones, but whether it will be effective remains to be seen.