The Triple Crown watch is officially on for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who slugged his way into a tie for the MLB lead in home runs on Sunday with his 44th of the season against the Orioles.

Now tied with Shohei Ohtani of the Angels, Guerrero has breathed life back into his season with an incredible two weeks at the plate, including eight home runs over his last 14 games. The 22-year-old took a dip in August, leading to some worry after he had run out of gas late in the season as a rookie and in 2020, but Guerrero is back to powering one of baseball’s most dangerous offenses.

“He’s learning,” manager Charlie Montoyo said. “This is the first full year for a lot of these guys, so they need to make an adjustment when they’re tired and he’s done a good job of that. His approach is back. It’s outstanding right now. When his approach at the plate is really good, he’s always going to have a chance to hit one out.”

5. Bo Bichette, SS, Toronto Blue Jays
Baumann rank: 5
Kram rank: 5
Lindbergh rank: 5
Wagner rank: 5

He’s a very good hitter at a premium defensive position. Putting that bat in that lineup spot just makes him so valuable. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Bichette’s game. He’s pluses all around. —Kram

4. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Toronto Blue Jays
Baumann rank: 3
Kram rank: 4
Lindbergh rank: 4
Wagner rank: 4

The comp I keep drawing is Guerrero’s season now to Bryce Harper’s MVP year. These are the last two players that came up with that level of hype as a hitter. And Harper was a very good player at 19 and 20, and in his age-22 season he put together the 1941 Ted Williams year, adjusted for inflation. Guerrero might be the most talented hitter in the world right now. —Baumann

The first act of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s breakout season officially has its trademark moment.

Guerrero launched three home runs against the Nationals on Tuesday night in Dunedin, Fla., single-handedly carrying the Blue Jays to a 9-5 win with the biggest night of his Major League career. The young star got it started in the third inning when he stepped in with the bases loaded against Max Scherzer for a battle of best on best.

Down three, a steep hill to climb against Scherzer, Guerrero launched the go-ahead grand slam deep over the left-field wall, turning on a hanging slider before holding his finish for a moment to admire his work.

Guerrero was tending to some family business, too. Last season, Scherzer struck out Guerrero just over a decade after he first struck out his father for the first time, becoming one of just nine pitchers to strike out both Guerrero’s. The grand slam put Scherzer on a shorter list, though, and one he doesn’t want to be on. Eleven years and four days ago, Guerrero Sr. launched a two-run shot off a 25-year-old Scherzer, who now joins Iván Nova as the only two pitchers to be taken deep by both father and son.