Tampa Bay Rays: Joel Guzman IF/OF #29

40 Rays 40 Days









Joel Guzman
IF/OF #29
HT:6'6 WT:250

The Dish: Joel Guzman was signed as an undrafted free agent in July 2001. Guzman was only 16 years old at the time and looked like a future star at SS for the Dodgers. In 2002-2003 Guzman struggled at the lower levels of the minor leagues before having a sort of break out season at the plate in 2004. At age 19 Guzman hit .297/.341/.540 with 23 home runs and 86 RBI in a combined 133 games between Class A and AA. In 2005 the solid hitting continued for Guzman at AA Jacksonville hitting .287/.351/.475 with 16 home runs and 75 RBI propelling him to the top of the Dodgers prospect list. His size became a problem for him, as he out grew SS by 2006. He was moved to 3B, 1B and LF. He briefly made an apperance with the Dodgers, making his debut on 6/1/06. He was traded to the Rays with Sergio Pedroza for Julio Lugo on 7/31/06. He played 25 games for AAA Durham hitting an awful .193/.228/.386. In 2007 he started back with AAA Durham again displaying a sluggish line at the plate .242/.284/.408 with 16 home runs. The Rays called him up in September and Guzman played in 16 games.

2007 Numbers: (AAA Durham) .242/.284/.408 with 16 home runs and 64 RBI.(Rays) .243/.282/.378 0 Home Runs 4 RBI


Jules Fantasy Impact: He's a bench player. You could draft him in AL-Only leagues and he may add a little value, but I doubt it.

Role for '08: Guzman has a total of 56 major league AB's so its a little hard to call him a complete bust. He has no true position and continues to play 1B, 3B and the corner OF positions. He is still a favorite to make the club as a 3B/RF especially now with the injuries to Rocco Baldelli and Ben Zobrist..


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