Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Struggles as Blue Jays Coach Speaks Out

**Vladimir Guerrero Jr.** posted a disappointing .263/.347/.346 line with just four home runs and 35 RBI through 86 games as of July 8, 2026, prompting Blue Jays hitting coach Dave Popkins to deliver an unvarnished assessment during the San Francisco Giants series.

Popkins told MLB.com reporter Keegan Matheson that Guerrero Jr. has become “a little jumpy” and “more open than he typically has been.” He added, “I have profound respect for Vladdy, and how he’s handled this and how he’s carried himself.” The comments came after Toronto fell 10‑1 to the Giants on Monday, a loss that highlighted the team’s offensive woes.

Guerrero’s career numbers sit at .286/.364/.484 with 187 homers and 626 RBI over eight seasons. This year, however, his power has evaporated: he’s on pace for fewer than ten home runs, a stark contrast to the 20‑plus he hit in each of the previous five campaigns. His wRC+ of 96 signals below‑average production, far from the 134 career average.

The first‑baseman was voted the AL’s starting first baseman by fans, yet he declined the All‑Star Game in Philadelphia because of a lingering back issue. With the Blue Jays sitting near the bottom of the AL offensive rankings-28th out of 30, scoring just 357 runs-the team’s playoff hopes hinge on Guerrero rediscovering his swing before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

Toronto will send right‑hander Spencer Miles (4‑1, 2.83 ERA) to the mound against Giants right‑hander Trevor McDonald (3‑6, 4.42 ERA) on Tuesday night at 9:45 p.m. EDT. The series continues to test the Blue Jays’ lineup, which set a franchise record for fewest hits in a three‑game stretch with seven. A bounce‑back performance from Guerrero could be the spark the club needs to stay afloat in a weak American League.

The All‑Star break offers a rare pause for Guerrero to address his back and reset his approach at the plate. If he can regain even a fraction of his former power, the Blue Jays might avoid a late‑season fire sale. Fans and analysts will be watching closely as the next game unfolds, hoping the son of Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr. can turn the tide.