Meet Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s baseball family: 9x All-Star MVP father, 8x All-Star WS champ godfather, MiLB brother & half brother, and Ex-MLB cousin

In 2019, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. burst onto the MLB scene for the Jays, hitting .272 with 15 home runs and 69 RBIs to finish sixth in Rookie of the Year voting. Two years later, Vladdy connected for an MLB-best 48 home runs, earning a Silver Slugger. Though his ascent was rapid, those familiar with Guerrero's background could hardly be surprised.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was born in Montreal in 1999, while his father, Vladimir was playing for the now-defunct Montreal Expos. Born in Nizao, Dominican Republic, Vlad Sr. made his debut for the Expos in 1996, two years before fellow Dominican and future friend Pedro Martinez made his MLB debut in Montreal.

"Vladimir Guerrero Sr. turns 49 today! This French call from his days with the Expos is too good." - MLB

Although Martinez, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, departed the Expos for the Boston Red Sox a year before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was born, he and Vlad Sr. forged a strong friendship. As such, when Vlad Jr. was born in March 1999, Martinez was chosen as his godfather.

Six years before Vladdy Jr's birth, Vladimir Guerrero Sr's brother had a son in the Dominican Republic named Gabriel, who is Vlad Jr's cousin. Though Gabriel signed with the Mariners as an international free agent in 2011, he only played 18 career MLB games, all of which came as a member of the 2018 Cincinnati Reds.

"Pedro Martinez still has the HEATER! Pedro throughout the first pitch to his godson Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tonight in Toronto @BlueJays" - The Sporting News

Another of Vlad Jr's brothers, Pablo, signed with the Texas Rangers as an international free agent in early 2023, but has never played in an MLB game. Moreover, Vladi, a half-brother, inked a deal with the Mets in January 2024.

Baseball made Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who he is today

Though Vlad Jr. still has a way to go before he emulates the career of his Hall of Famer father and godfather, he is certainly off to a very good start. The former MLB home run champ is hitting .327 this season, which is second in MLB. Despite his success, he has not forgotten his roots, as Ismael Cruz, a former Latin America scout for the Jays told Sportsnet:

“He has never said this to me, but Vlad Jr. idolizes his dad. You could tell he really wanted to emulate everything his dad did.”

Still barely 25 years of age, there is still plenty of time for Vlad to live up to the family name, and even surpass it.