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Texas Rangers Top 10 Prospects For 2017

By Benjamin Chase

Sep 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; A general view of the Texas Rangers logo during a rain delay in the eighth inning between the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; A general view of the Texas Rangers logo during a rain delay in the eighth inning between the Texas Rangers and the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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5. Ronald Guzman, 1B

Birthdate: 10/20/94 (22 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: AA, AAA
Stats in 2016: .274/.333/449, 16 HR, 2 SB

Guzman was one of the more sought-after players in the 2011 international market. Though he received a lesser bonus than fellow 2011 signee Nomar Mazara, many thought Guzman to be the better prospect at the time.

Guzman has struggled to turn those raw tools into pro skills, however. A third baseman at signing, he’s been forced across the diamond due to poor footwork and instincts at third along with an average arm.

Though he received a lesser bonus than fellow 2011 signee Nomar Mazara, many thought Guzman to be the better prospect at the time.

His best asset at the plate is his contact tool as he has the ability to contact the ball seemingly wherever it’s pitched. This has led to a lack of plate discipline and some high strikeout totals for Guzman as well as low walk rates.

Guzman’s power is certainly there in batting practice, but he hones his swing in as a line-drive swing in games, which produces good doubles power, but has led to less home runs than you’d expect from his big 6’5 frame.

He did begin to tap into some of that home run power in 2016, and team officials began to speak of Guzman as a middle of the order bat that they’ve been waiting on.

He’ll likely open 2017 in AAA, but with Texas’ first base hole currently, he may have an opportunity to move up if there isn’t a definite guy added to fill that spot for the big league club.

Next: #4

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