How Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drew from his dad to become an MVP candidate

A name like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., comes with expectations.

Vladimir Guerrero Sr., of course, is a Baseball Hall of Famer, the 2004 American League Most Valuable Player and a nine-time all-star.

In his heyday, Guerrero Sr., who spent the first eight years of his career with the Montreal Expos, was known for his utter dismissal of the strike zone. He once collected a hit off a pitch that bounced before reaching the plate.

And so you wouldn't expect Guerrero Jr., the Toronto Blue Jays first baseman, to be a master of the strike zone. And yet, the 22-year-old strikes out only somewhat more than he walks.

Put the ball over the plate, and Guerrero Jr., might send the ball off his bat at over 110 miles per hour. Leave it off, and he'll happily take a walk.

It's apparent by his play that Guerrero Jr., managed to both emulate and, somehow, improve upon how his father succeeded in the batter's box. The approach has led him into the AL MVP discussion and his team into the playoff race.  

The younger Guerrero's discipline makes a pitcher's job more difficult, says Canadian Olympic softball hurler Danielle Lawrie, who was part of the bronze-medal squad in Tokyo.