Stockstill on Guzman and more
Earlier this month the Orioles signed Joel Guzman, a former Dodgers number one prospect, to a minor league contract.
The 25-year-old Guzman, who was a minor league free agent, did not get an invite to Major League spring training.
The 6'5", 245-pound, right-handed hitter batted .281-12-57 in 108 games at Double-A Harrisburg last summer and hit just .121 in 12 games at Triple-A Syracuse with the Nationals organization.
"He's got a lot of power and athleticism and plays multiple positions. We look for him to try and make our Triple-A club," O's Director of Player Development, David Stockstill said.
"He can help at first, third and outfield, but we also have a lot of competition for those spots. If it turns out that it is best that he plays at Double-A, that's an option also."
Guzman could provide Bowie or Norfolk a veteran middle of the order bat.
"We would certainly hope so, he's done it in the past. He's driven in runs before and he doesn't strike out that much. He hit .272 in the Dominican winter league vs. some tough pitching. He battles with the bat."
Guzman hit .232 in 56 big league at bats with the Dodgers in 2006 and Tampa in 2007.
In July of 2001, the product of the Dominican Republic got a 2.25 million dollar signing bonus, then a record for an international player. He was the Dodgers minor league player of the year in 2004 and named their number one prospect by Baseball America in the spring of 2005.
Stockstill said the Orioles have signed fewer minor league free agents this year. What does the club look for when pondering signing a minor league free agent?
"We look first of all at what holes we need to fill. You also look at who your scouts and staff feel are players that have Major League tools. When one of those become available as a minor league free agent, you work hard to add him to your system," Stockstill said.
Last March during spring training the Orioles had some home games at their Twins Lakes Park minor league facility moved to road contests due to poor field conditions.
That won't happen this year as the four fields at the complex have all undergone major work and upgrades.
"The fields have been upgraded tremendously at Twins Lakes Park. They've done an outstanding job and have made a big difference."
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
Kinda off subject other then its minor league related, but I thought kinda neat. I stumbled across something that makes it appear that Caleb Joseph graduated from the same high school as Winona and Ashley Judd and also pitcher Derek Turnbow
Steve,
any idea where Mike Costanzo is scheduled to play this yesr ? He did poorly
at both Bowie and Norfolk....is he running out of chances ?
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He hit .202-3-37 last year in 82 games between AA and AAA, mostly at Bowie. He has probably dropped a notch or two down with that poor year and could use a big one this year. Apparently he did play a lot last year on an injured knee and had arthscopic surgery in the winter and is now said to be 100 percent.. He should play at AA or AAA again but may really need to show something in spring to avoid that "numbers game".....Steve
Anytime you add a .251 career hitter at 3A, the spin doctors in the Warehouse BETTER be working OT!
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Stockstill really put the spin on it, didn't he. Saying "we look for him to try and make our Triple-A club." You sit there and criticize the front office when they don't explain moves to your satisfaction. Then a club official takes the time to talk about the acqusition of a minor lg free agent that is not even going to camp and you rip that.
What is wrong with you??? Steve
Brummie_Oriole said:
Anytime you add a .251 career hitter at 3A, the spin doctors in the Warehouse BETTER be working OT!
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Steve,
As I told Roch, this man has been exposed as a former KGB agent who is aging and miserable with his life. Therefore, now he spends his time ripping Andy McPhail for everything. I do not recall McPhail meeting in Gorky Park exchanging trade recommendations with Nikita Khrushchev.
Today he rips a young man who is trying to maintain his playing days in professional baseball. Best of health to you Joel Guzman.
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I try to resist giving him the attention he must crave. Couldn't help myself today. I need to get back to ignoring him as we all probably should......Steve
Hi Steve,
There are many things that just aren't "right" with certain people (and we both know who they are).
Regarding the Guzman signing, I like the fact that the Orioles are taking a shot on Guzman. There have been other guys who have found their groove later than others, and Guzman is still only 25. He's a big kid, has power, and was highly thought of (former #1 pick) but a pretty good talent-evaluating team (LA Dodgers). I don't really see anything wrong with this picture. In 6 months, when Guzman has hit 25 homers at AA, many of the same people complaining now will be calling for Andy's head for not calling Guzman up. You can't win, you know that, right?
I am all in favor of signing guys with upside. I'd much rather do that than sign guys coming off of career years who will never duplicate their production again.
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I've been covering the O's long enough to know you can't win and will be criticized for anything and everything you write. On the Sun message board the other day a guy called me a lousy reporter because I wrote that the O's signed 11 from Venezuela where an earlier published story said it was only 3. I got the info from David Stockstill himself, he said they signed 11, I have the interview on tape, but I still am a terrible reporter. Oh well.
Steve
Steve - just had to laugh out loud. Brummie's just making his cake and eating it too! As a newby, I've read a lot of his comments and skipped just as many. It gets tiring to read the same bashing over and over. Especially when its of the "damned if you do, damned if you don't" variety.
Wasn't Guzman a SS in the Dodgers organization? It sounds like the O's aren't really interested in him there, yet at just 25-years old, it would seem he's still got a chance to be a "late bloomer" and maybe be a 1 or 2 year gap-filler after Izturis' contract expires and until they can get a "Hanley Ramirez-type" prospect. (wink wink)
Even if he doesn't fill a need at SS, it sounds like he could be a valuable and versitle bat. Someone who will push Andino and Turner or even make Wigginton expendible. Deep depth. I like it.
Dug out from under all the snow? Ready for the next one Tuesday night?
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Our subdivision in Harford Co didn't see a plow until 4pm Sunday. All my friends and relatives in the County had long since been plowed out at their homes.
I'm pretty sure Guzman's SS days are over. He is said to be a shaky defender even at third, so short is likely out of the question. Right now he is just depth for the higher levels of the minors. Perhaps he could play his way more into the picture with a big year.
Steve
Actually Steve I was being sarcastic and cynical, two literary tools that are probably banned from the Oriole press corp. LOL
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Laugh all you want. Don't you get it man. You've just been so constantly critical of everything that most just skip past what you write. You seem to want constant attention to your posts.
What you don't get is when you rip everything, everyday, it is screaming out that you just have an agenda. If you choose to be funny, cynical or sarcastic, or ever have a legit criticism, how could anyone ever tell that from the usual shtick??? You've boxed yourself into a hole......Steve
Yea, Brummie, whats wrong with you exactly?
Saw Guzman play at Harrisburg last year-probably the best overall player on that club, certainly the most consistent-plays a good third base and a pretty good hitter-so if it's for inventory's sake, it's a good move, and who knows? He's only 25.
Brummie_Oriole said:
Actually Steve I was being sarcastic and cynical, two literary tools that are probably banned from the Oriole press corp. LOL
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Laugh all you want. Don't you get it man. You've just been so constantly critical of everything that most just skip past what you write. You seem to want constant attention to your posts.
What you don't get is when you rip everything, everyday, it is screaming out that you just have an agenda. If you choose to be funny, cynical or sarcastic, or ever have a legit criticism, how could anyone ever tell that from the usual shtick??? You've boxed yourself into a hole......Steve
February 8, 2010 5:21 PM
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Well said Steve. The little-boy-in-his-mommys-basement always craves attention because, well he has no life. Another fact is when he is hit with the FACTS, as you nailed him with, he always comes back to say he was only joking. *LMAO*...poor child; must be getting very dark in that basement.
Steve,
Brummie as well as Jack and the other few, they are Nestor cronies. You should read Schmuck's blog sometime, it has been taken over by Nestor and his band of merry men. I believe Nestor had what, about 30 people do that walkout, then he told them to hit the blogs and spew as much negative crap as they can and maybe they can run Angelos and MacPhail out of town. They don't understand, they have no power at all.
Sam, I think I hit a button that erased your questions. How smooth of me. But you asked about Troy Patton, his health and could he be in the Majors this year.
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I really like Patton and it sounds like his health is good heading to camp. I saw him at Bowie last year and he looked awesome, like a real polished pitcher, somewhat like Matusz. Some are concerned that his fastball velocity has not or won't come back fully after the surgery and it could hinder his ML chances.
Brad Komminsk was his manager last year at Bowie and told me this about Patton for an artilce I wrote in December.
"I love Troy, he was a gamer, he pitched. For us he dominated without question, I don't know what happened at Triple-A. He can throw his pitches for strikes. He's still coming back from that shoulder surgery, he'll be okay. I don't worry about Troy, he's a real gamer and likes to pitch."
Was he throwing more in the 80's than 90's? "I don't remember what his gun was. He might have touched 90 or 91 a few times. Probably he was at one time (a harder thrower) but after the surgery he's probably more 88 to 90 now."
Is his style similar to Matsuz? "I don't know, it's hard to categorize Matusz with anyone, he's really special. Troy threw a really good change for us and his breaking ball was getting better. He's more of a finesse guy, kind of Tom Glavine-like for me. He has to hit his spots. Troy would pitch inside too, which was good, to get guys off the plate."
I won't discount his AAA stats, but I am a Patton fan and think he has a chance to be in the Majors this year for sure.......Steve
Steve,
I think Patton is an interesting guy. A lefty with a bunch of upside who was the centerpiece of the Tejada deal. I'd really like to see him put up some numbers down at AAA so he gets a look. Patton was such a nice guy at FanFest I can't help but really root for him. However, even if Millwood gets traded at the deadline, I would imagine Arrieta would get the first look. I guess depth is always a good thing though.
Keep up the good work Steve, always love reading the blog. You and Roch distract me from my homework, but that's ok. And keep putting Brummie in his place, always good stuff.
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Don't let your teacher know we are keeping you from homework. Try to make some time for it (now I do sound old) but, by all means, keep reading our blogs. Thanks for that.......Steve