Blue Jays Teammates Jimenez and Guerrero Share Prospect Pedigree

Eloy Jimenez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. were once ranked as the top two MLB prospects in the game.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:38pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, conveying the dynamic energy and unpredictability of the sport.The divergent paths of former top MLB prospects Eloy Jimenez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. converge as teammates on the Toronto Blue Jays.Chicago Today

Eloy Jimenez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are now teammates on the Toronto Blue Jays after Jimenez was called up from the minors. The two sluggers were previously ranked as the top two MLB prospects in 2019, with Guerrero at #1 and Jimenez at #3 on the MLB Pipeline top-100 list.

Why it matters

The connection between Jimenez and Guerrero as former top prospects highlights the unpredictability of player development, as Guerrero has become a superstar while Jimenez has struggled to live up to his initial promise. Their reunion on the Blue Jays could provide an opportunity for Jimenez to get his career back on track.

The details

Jimenez, who hit 31 home runs in his rookie season for the Chicago White Sox in 2019, did not get a single MLB appearance in 2025. He signed with the Blue Jays in the offseason and was called up to the majors on Sunday with George Springer placed on the Injured List. Jimenez and Guerrero were ranked as the #1 and #3 overall prospects, respectively, by MLB Pipeline entering the 2019 season, with Fernando Tatis Jr. in between them at #2.

  • Jimenez was called up to the Blue Jays on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • Jimenez and Guerrero were ranked as the top MLB prospects in 2019.

The players

Eloy Jimenez

A 26-year-old outfielder who was once a top MLB prospect, hitting 31 home runs in his rookie season for the Chicago White Sox in 2019 before struggling in recent years.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

A 24-year-old slugger for the Toronto Blue Jays who was ranked as the #1 overall MLB prospect in 2019 and has since become a superstar.

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What they’re saying

“The @MLBPipeline Top 100 prospects list entering the 2019 season: [Guerrero at #1, Tatis at #2, Jimenez at #3]”

— Keegan Matheson, Reporter

What’s next

Jimenez will look to make the most of his opportunity with the Blue Jays and potentially rekindle the promise he showed as a top prospect, while Guerrero will aim to continue his ascent as one of the game's elite players.

The takeaway

The reunion of Jimenez and Guerrero on the Blue Jays roster serves as a reminder that prospect rankings and early career success do not always translate to long-term stardom in the major leagues. Their shared history as top prospects provides hope that Jimenez can rediscover his form and potentially learn from Guerrero's development path.