Toronto Blue Jays: 3 things to know about new manager Charlie Montoyo
Has a connection to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
It is well documented the work Montoyo has done in the minor leagues with the Rays but when it comes to working with a top prospect in baseball, Montoyo might have the inside track.
Jeff Blair brought up a story he wrote about when Vladimir Guerrero was in double-A back in 1996 where Montoyo was brought in to be a player-coach for the young prospect. 22 years later, it looks like Montoyo will get the chance to work with his son Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
There is a lot of pressure on the Blue Jays to get back into a competitive window which will take some time but if they want to accomplish that, Guerrero Jr. will need to be a big part of that. It will be a bonus to have a manager who appreciates the traditional approach to the game but has experience working with dynamic prospects as well.
Many have compared Vlad Jr.’s approach at the plate to his father and if there’s someone who has would know, it will be Montoyo. At the same time, what Guerrero Jr. has done in the minors the past couple of seasons there’s no reason why he can’t be better than his father.