Jesus Guzman
From BR Bullpen
Jesus Antonio Guzman
- Bats Both, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 216 lb.
- High School Liceo Luis Beltran Sanabria
- Debut May 21, 2009
[edit] Biographical Information
Jesus Guzman has hit .300 or better in 4 of his first 8 pro seasons.
Guzman signed with the Seattle Mariners less than a month after turning 16 years old. He hit .139/.262/.157 in 40 games for the Mariners' Venezuelan Summer League affiliate in 2001, with 37 strikeouts in 108 AB in 2001. In 2002, he improved to .280/.345/.404 for Aguirre (VSL) but made 30 errors in 59 games. In his third year in the VSL, he batted .359/.450/.519 with 46 runs in 56 games. Guzman led the VSL in average, runs and hits (74). He was named as the All-Star third baseman and picked up MVP honors.
Coming stateside in 2004, Guzman jumped from the lowest minor league in Organized Baseball to high-A ball with the Inland Empire 66ers, for whom he hit .310/.393/.443. He made 29 errors but hit 35 doubles and scored 80 runs. Guzman led Mariners farmhands in doubles and was 9th in the California League in batting average.
Jesus finally slowed his ascent in 2005, with the AA San Antonio Missions. He batted .258/.330/.393 and was thrown out in 11 of 17 steal attempts. The lone positive was 8 triples. He tied Doug Bernier for the most sacrifice hits (11) in the Texas League and his 28 double plays led the loop's third basemen.
In 2006, Guzman returned to San Antonio and had a nearly identical batting line (.258/.336/.383). He was demoted to the High Desert Mavericks for 2007 and hit .301/.370/.539 with 38 doubles, 25 home runs, 102 runs and 112 RBI. Guzman was second in the California League in RBI (behind Zach Daeges), tied for second in homers (one behind leader Tommy Everidge), tied for second in extra-base hits, was third in doubles, 4th in hits and 5th in runs. Chris Davis beat him out for All-Star honors at third base. He led Seattle farmhands in runs, total bases (279) and RBI.
A free agent, Guzman signed with the Oakland Athletics for 2008. He hit .364/.419/.560 in 80 games for the Midland RockHounds, driving in 76, and batted .237/.281/.373 in 15 contests for the Sacramento River Cats. His .345 composite average led A's minor leaguers and was 8th in the affiliated minors. He won the Texas League batting title.
Guzman was on the provisional Venezuelan roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic but did not make the final cut.
Guzman joined the infield-desperate San Francisco Giants chain for 2009. He hit .363/.391/.592 with 32 RBI in his first 37 games for the Fresno Grizzlies, earning him a shot at the majors. He made his debut for the Giants on May 21, pinch-hitting for Travis Ishikawa in the 7th inning against the Padres with a 1-1 tie. Facing Joe Thatcher, he grounded into a double play. Guzman stayed in at first base and struck out in his second at-bat, against Heath Bell.
[edit] Sources
- 2004-2009 Baseball Almanacs
- 2008 A's Media Guide
