| Joel Guzmán | |
|---|---|
 Guzmán as a non-roster invitee of theWashington Nationals in2009 spring training. | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: (1984-11-24)November 24, 1984 (age 41) Quisqueya, Dominican Republic | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 1, 2006, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 30, 2007, for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .232 |
| Home runs | 0 |
| Runs batted in | 7 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Irvin Joel Vigo Guzmán (born November 24, 1984) is a Dominican professionalbaseball player. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theLos Angeles Dodgers andTampa Bay Devil Rays, and inNippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for theChunichi Dragons.
Guzmán signed with theLos Angeles Dodgers as an internationalfree agent on July 2, 2001.[1][2] He was signed for $2.25 million, a franchise record signing bonus.[3][4] Guzmán worked his way through the minor leagues, becoming a top prospect.[5] He was named the Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year in 2004 and was elected to theFlorida State League All-Star Game.[6][7] In 2005, he was named aSouthern League All-Star,[8] and ranked the fifth-best overall prospect byBaseball America.[9] Guzmán also played in theAll-Star Futures Game twice, in 2004 and 2006.[10] With a jump to the Major League level predicted for the 2006 season, Dodgers managerGrady Little converted Guzmán toleft field duringspring training. WithRafael Furcal,César Izturis, andOscar Robles already playingshortstops on the Dodgers major league roster, the position change was made in an attempt to give Guzmán increased opportunity to play with the Dodgers in 2006.[11] He made his major league debut on June 1 of that year, as a defensive replacement in the eighth inning of a game against thePhiladelphia Phillies. Guzmán grounded into a double play in his first at-bat in the bottom half of the inning.[12]
On July 31, 2006, Guzmán and Sergio Pedroza were traded to theTampa Bay Devil Rays in exchange forJulio Lugo.[13] He spent most of the 2007 season with the Triple-ADurham Bulls, but made his Devil Rays debut on August 19 against theCleveland Indians. Guzmán recorded his first major league hit, a walk-off single off ofRafael Pérez, that day.[14][15]
Guzmán spent the entirety of the 2008 season with Durham, hitting .248/.276/.438 with 20 home runs and 72 RBI. On September 9, 2008, Guzmán wasdesignated for assignment by Tampa Bay; he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Durham on September 12.[16]
On December 13, 2008, Guzmán signed a minor league contract with theWashington Nationals organization.[17] He split the 2009 season between the Double-AHarrisburg Senators and Triple-ASyracuse Chiefs, slashing .268/.338/.421 with 12 home runs and 59 RBI across 120 total appearances. Guzmán elected free agency following the season on November 9, 2009.
On February 4, 2010, theBaltimore Orioles signed Guzmán to a minor league contract.[18] He made 130 appearances for the Double-ABowie Baysox, batting .279/.344/.519 with 33 home runs and 98 RBI.[19] Guzmán elected free agency following the season on November 6.[20]
On December 14, 2010, Guzmán signed with theChunichi Dragons ofNippon Professional Baseball League.[21] Guzmán made 73 appearances for the Dragons during the 2011 season, hitting .181/.219/.298 with seven home runs and 15 RBI.
On January 10, 2012, Guzmán signed a minor league contract with theCincinnati Reds. He made 65 appearances for the Double-APensacola Blue Wahoos, hitting .263/.328/.394 with seven home runs and 35 RBI. Guzmán was released by the Reds organization on June 22.[22]
On June 30, 2012, Guzmán signed with theVaqueros Laguna of theMexican League.[23] Guzmán played in 22 games for the Vaqueros, hitting .322/.344/.494 with four home runs and 15 RBI.
On March 21, 2013, Guzmán signed with theOlmecas de Tabasco. In eight appearances for Tabasco, he went 8-for-28 (.286) with one home run and two RBI. Guzmán was released by the Olmecas on April 2.[24]
On May 17, 2013, Guzmán signed with theSaraperos de Saltillo of theMexican League. In 30 appearances for Saltillo, he batted .241/.323/.345 with four home runs, 13 RBI, and one stolen base. Guzmán was released by the Saraperos on June 27.[25]
In 2015, following a year of inactivity, Guzmán signed with theCamden Riversharks of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. Guzmán made 127 appearances for the Riversharks during the regular season, batting .250/.278/.383 with 13 home runs, 70 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.[26]
On March 25, 2016, Guzmán signed with theYork Revolution of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 122 appearances for the team, he slashed .278/.316/.423 with 16 home runs and 85 RBI.[27]
On April 12, 2017, Guzmán re-signed with the Revolution.[28] In 35 appearances for York, he batted .232/.285/.360 with four home runs and 17 RBI. Guzmán was released by the Revolution on June 11.
Guzmán finished the 2016 season with theSugar Land Skeeters of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 10 appearances for Sugar Land, Guzmán went 2-for-37 (.054) with one home run, three RBI, and two walks.[29]
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