Joel Guzmán

Infobox MLB player


width = 150px
name=Joel Guzmán
position=Infielder
team=Tampa Bay Rays
number=29
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1984|11|24
birthplace=Quisqueya, Dominican Republic
debutdate=June 1
debutyear=2006
debutteam=Los Angeles Dodgers
statyear=September 18, 2008
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.232
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=0
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=7
teams=
*Los Angeles Dodgers (by|2006)
*Tampa Bay Devil Rays (by|2007)

Irvin Joel Vigo Guzmán (born November 24, 1984 in Quisqueya, Dominican Republic) is an infielder in Major League Baseball who plays in the Tampa Bay Rays minor league system.

Guzmán signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an international free agent on July 2, by|2001. He worked his way through the minor leagues, becoming a top prospect. He was named the Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year in by|2004 and was elected to the Florida State League All-Star Game. In by|2005, he was named a Southern League All-Star. Guzmán has also played in the All-Star Futures Game twice, in 2004 and by|2006. With a jump to the Major League level predicted for the mlby|2006 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. Since, he has made a brief appearance with the Devil Rays, but has spent most of his time with the Triple-A Durham Bulls.

External links

* [http://thebaseballcube.com/players/G/Joel-Guzman.shtml The Baseball Cube]
* [http://www.minorleaguesplits.com/cgi-bin/pl.cgi?pl=433591 Minor League Splits and Situational Stats]