Jeison Guzman

Position: SS
Level: Instructs
Affiliate: Royals Instructs
League: Instructional League
Born: 10/08/1998 (Age: 25)
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 180
B/T: Left / Right
Acquired: Signed as international free agent 7/3/2015 (KCR)

Prospect Spotlight

The Royals signed Guzman to a robust $1.5 million as part of their high-upside 2015 international free agent class. Now 19, Guzman has grown into his body, looking a strong 6’2” and at least 185 pounds. He started his 2018 campaign repeating the Appalachian League before a call to Class A Lexington in July. I saw Guzman in 2017 and recently got to check in on him for two instructional league games.

Since my 2017 look, Guzman has matured physically and added polish. In prior looks, he relied on his plus arm too much at shortstop while showing a game clock in need of refinement. My instructs looks showed a more confident and mature defender, attacking balls with more intent. With his physical growth and average lateral footwork, Guzman fits best for me at third base. His approach has also matured, albeit he still gives away too many at bats. He expanded the zone less in instructs and he showed some feel to look to the opposite field.  Guzman is more of a power over hit prospect. He has grown into 50 raw power with strength in his wrists and on the body, but his swing length and barrel feel will likely expose him against higher-quality arms. There’s enough athleticism and strength to project a future 40 hit tool with 45 game power, and he adds 55 speed.

Guzman’s toolset could work in a full-time regular role if he can stick at shortstop. I think he’ll be stretched there making him a tweener at third base where he may excel defensively but fall short with the stick to profile. The likely projection for Guzman is as a utility infielder able to play strong defense at 3B and 2B and fringe-average at SS, and with his athleticism, possibly corner outfield.