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Duke Basketball: Marcus Stroman compares Zion Williamson to Vlad Jr.

By Kevin Connelly

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 05: Zion Williamson of the Duke Blue Devils speaks during a press conference after being awarded the AP Player of the Year award prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 05: Zion Williamson of the Duke Blue Devils speaks during a press conference after being awarded the AP Player of the Year award prior to the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 5, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Blue Jays called up its top prospect, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and former Duke Baseball star Marcus Stroman compared the star to Duke Basketball sensation, Zion Williamson.

It was a historic day in Major League Baseball as the top prospect in the minor leagues, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made his Major League debut for the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night against the Oakland Athletics.

If you are a baseball fan, it’s very easy to make the connection, as Vlad Jr.’s father is Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, who began his career with the Montreal Expos and then with the Los Angeles Angels before being inducted into Cooperstown in 2018.

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As for the game on Friday, former Duke Baseball star Marcus Stroman was on the mound for the Jays and he was coming off of a start against the same Oakland A’s team just five days ago.

Stroman picked up his first win of the season in Oakland last week after throwing eight innings, allowing six hits and just one run, walking two and striking out six.

It was more of the same on Friday in Toronto as Stroman continued his dominance by pitching seven scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, two walks, and racking up seven strikeouts, but like much of the season the Jays bullpen was unable to hold on to give Stroman the victory.

Marcus Stroman exited the game with a 2-0 lead, but in the top of the eight inning, the A’s would tie the game thanks to a 2-run home run from Robbie Grossman.

With another no-decision on the year, Stroman’s record remains at 1-3, but his ERA dropped to 1.43 on the season.

The Blue Jays were able to win the game in the ninth inning thanks to a leadoff double from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the first hit of his Major League career, followed by a walk-off home run from Brandon Drury.

The hype and buzz around the city of Toronto today was something the Blue Jays organization hasn’t seen since the team was last in the postseason in 2016.

In his postgame interview, the former Blue Devil Stroman compared the hype, excitement, and talent of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Duke Basketball sensation Zion Williamson.

Williamson obviously took over the college basketball world this season in his lone season at Duke and in the minor leagues Vlad Jr. made jaws drop with his monster home runs like Williamson did with his rim-rocking dunks.

Zion Williamson will not be able to take over the city of Toronto with Marcus Stroman and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. since the Toronto Raptors do not have a chance at the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft Lottery, Williamson could team up in New York, if the New York Knicks win the lottery, with Duke quarterback Daniel Jones who was just selected by the New York Giants in the NFL Draft.

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