Joel Guzmán
Encyclopedia
Irvin Joel Vigo Guzmán is an infielder
and currently a member of the Chunichi Dragons
organization in Japan.
Guzmán signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
as an international free agent
on July 2, . He worked his way through the minor leagues, becoming a top prospect. He was named the Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year in and was elected to the Florida State League
All-Star Game. In , he was named a Southern League
All-Star. Guzmán has also played in the All-Star Futures Game
twice, in 2004 and . With a jump to the Major League level predicted for the season, Dodgers manager Grady Little
converted Guzmán to left field during spring training
. With Rafael Furcal
, Cesar Izturis
, and Oscar Robles
already shortstops 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.
Guzmán was traded on July 31, 2006, to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
with Sergio Pedroza for Julio Lugo
. In , he made a brief appearance with the Devil Rays, but spent most of his time with the Triple-A Durham Bulls
. He became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals. On February 4, 2010, The Orioles signed Joel Guzman to a minor league deal, and he completed the 2010 season at the AA level playing for the Bowie Baysox
. On December 22, 2010 it was announced that he signed a deal to play in Japan for the Chunichi Dragons
in 2011.
Cuando el estaba en la pension de Carlos Guzman sacaba la pelota por saco sin ninguna autorizacion.
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
and currently a member of the Chunichi Dragons
Chunichi Dragons
The are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, the chief city in the Chubu region of Japan. The team is in the Central League. They won the 2007 Japan Series and 2007 Asia Series.-History:...
organization in Japan.
Guzmán signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
as an international free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
on July 2, . He worked his way through the minor leagues, becoming a top prospect. He was named the Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year in and was elected to the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
All-Star Game. In , he was named a Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
All-Star. Guzmán has also played in the All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
twice, in 2004 and . With a jump to the Major League level predicted for the season, Dodgers manager Grady Little
Grady Little
William Grady Little is a former manager in Major League Baseball. He managed the Boston Red Sox from 2002 to 2003 and the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2006 to 2007...
converted Guzmán to left field during spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. With Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
, Cesar Izturis
César Izturis
César David Izturis is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent. He is the half-brother of shortstop Maicer Izturis, who plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Julio Izturis, who plays in the minor leagues in the San Francisco Giants organization.Izturis' greatest...
, and Oscar Robles
Oscar Robles
Oscar Manuel Robles Arenas is a Major League Baseball infielder. He currently plays for the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League....
already shortstops 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.
Guzmán was traded on July 31, 2006, to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
with Sergio Pedroza for Julio Lugo
Julio Lugo
Julio Cesar Lugo is a Dominican professional baseball infielder but is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed. Lugo is the older brother of baseball pitcher Ruddy Lugo....
. In , he made a brief appearance with the Devil Rays, but spent most of his time with the Triple-A Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
. He became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals. On February 4, 2010, The Orioles signed Joel Guzman to a minor league deal, and he completed the 2010 season at the AA level playing for the Bowie Baysox
Bowie Baysox
The Bowie Baysox are a minor league baseball team located in Bowie, Maryland. They are the class-AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and play in the Eastern League...
. On December 22, 2010 it was announced that he signed a deal to play in Japan for the Chunichi Dragons
Chunichi Dragons
The are a professional baseball team based in Nagoya, the chief city in the Chubu region of Japan. The team is in the Central League. They won the 2007 Japan Series and 2007 Asia Series.-History:...
in 2011.
External links
- Minor League Splits and Situational Stats
- http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-joel-guzman-0204,1,3489685.story
Cuando el estaba en la pension de Carlos Guzman sacaba la pelota por saco sin ninguna autorizacion.