Jorge Guzman: Marlin on the Rise

Jorge Guzman was acquired by the Marlins this past offseason in the infamous deal that sent Giancarlo Stanton to the New York Yankees.

Guzman was originally signed by the Houston Astros in June 2014 as an international free agent out of the Domincan Republic due to his electric fastball at such a young age.

The right-hander recently turned 22 and weighs in at 182 pounds while standing at six feet two inches tall.

According to MLB Pipeline, he currently ranks as Miami’s No. 4 prospect heading into the 2018 season.

His fastball is by far the most devastating tool in his repertoire, it usually sits around 97-100 mph but has even reached 101-103 which is unheard of from a starting pitcher. However, there is a lack of control when it comes to the heat.

Guzman’s lack of consistency with hitting his spots is one of the main knocks scouts have on him, but should be able to improve as he adjusts his mechanics and gets a feel for his velocity.

He also throws a power slider which could be considered an above average pitch as well as a changeup which he is just beginning to work on to make a solid third pitch.

Unless he is able to develop his changeup into an average to above average pitch, the bullpen is where Guzman looks like he might end up, but that is not a bad thing. With his fastball that reaches 103 mph and his power slider, he could very well turn into a right-handed Aroldis Chapman.

His max potential as a starter would most likely be as a No. 2 or No. 3, but it does not seem like he has the stuff to be the definitive ace of a rotation.

2017 was the first season of Guzman’s professional career where he was not in rookie level baseball, he spent the season with the Yankees low-A affiliate Staten Island Yankees.

In 13 starts, the flamethrower went 5-3 while sporting a 2.30 ERA and 11.9 K/9. This was easily his best season since coming over from the Dominican Republic and seemed to really get a feel for his potential.

If he keeps this up he should be getting an opportunity in the Miami bullpen in little to no time, he has the potential to be a special talent. In his stint in Staten Island, Guzman was considered a “hidden gem” by many.

Regardless, Marlins fans should get excited for Guzman to reach the majors and if he keeps up at this pace it should be sooner than you can say rebuild “build.”