The Birds of the North are flying high in the AL East with a strong 70-51 record, thanks to players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. The present is electric, and the future? It looks promising, too. Scouts are raving about a 17-year-old prodigy who has almost as much raw talent as that $500 million bat.
Hailing from the Dominican Republic, this young prospect can play both shortstop and third base during his career. The Blue Jays signed him for $997,500. At signing, Baseball America ranked him 44th among prospects. Additionally, according to MiLB.com, he is currently the 25th-ranked farmhand for the Blue Jays.
That prospect is Juan Sanchez. Baseball America’s Geoff Pontes didn’t mince words when he joined Sportsnet 590 The FAN. He didn’t hesitate while drawing the comparison with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. “This guy, in my opinion, has a chance to be the best international signing since Vladimir Guerrero Jr.”
“This guy, in my opinion, has a chance to be the best international signing since Vladimir Guerrero Jr.” @GeoffPontesBA discusses why #BlueJays prospect Juan Sanchez is a player to look out for with @BlakeMurphyODC and @juliackreuz. #LightsUpLetsGo pic.twitter.com/SrTzYU9Ajx
— Sportsnet 590 The FAN (@FAN590) August 12, 2025
Pontes also explained why he drew that comparison. He said, “This guy is 6’3″ and physical. There is more projection there; he’s not gonna play shortstop, probably a third baseman plus arm. But that’s not the selling point; the selling point is the bat. I am getting consistent 55 hit 55 power on Sanchez, which would honestly put him as the best bat.”
The numbers back the hoopla up in a big way. Sanchez has a mind-blowing 1.006 OPS in 193 at-bats, including seven home runs and 37 runs playing for DSL Blue Jays Red. For a professional hitter, those numbers are impressive for a teenager. Also, his .446 OBP shows he knows how to manage the plate.
The setting makes Sanchez’s performance even more stunning. He was named a DSL Mid-Season All-Star and earned the DSL Player of the Week award for consistently outperforming his opponents. The switch from shortstop to third base is good for Toronto’s long-term requirements. Even though he still needs a few years to get ready for the MLB.
His future is bright with the Blue Jays. But talking about the present, the Blue Jays are shining in the majors, and Vladdy Jr. is delivering key hits in August’s playoff push.
While Sanchez prepares in the minors, Guerrero Jr. carries the Jays’ August drive.
Juan Sanchez may not be able to wear a Blue Jays uniform for now. But the player he is likened to is already helping Toronto win the playoffs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been on fire in August, helping the team make a bid for the playoffs.
Feb 19, 2024; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) prepares to work out at the Blue Jays Player Development Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
In his previous seven games, Vladdy has been almost impossible to stop. He has 14 hits in 31 at-bats, three home runs, and seven runs batted in. His .903 slugging percentage over that time demonstrates how focused he is. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. always comes through with huge swings when the Jays need them most.
Guerrero has been carrying the offense in August, along with Bo Bichette and others. To keep Toronto in the running in a crowded AL East race. He has 5 home runs and 11 RBIs in his previous 15 games, which is the kind of dependable productivity that helps a team get to the playoffs.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the standard for now, with the $500 million bat setting the pace. Sanchez may still be a minor league player who is getting better. But the person he is being compared to is already showing what great talent can accomplish when the pressure is on. If Sanchez does have this much potential, the Blue Jays’ future is in extremely excellent hands.
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