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There is a beast of a seventeen year old named Ronald Guzman that was signed by the Texas Rangers for $3.5 million out of the Dominican Republic in July of 2011. I have to stress that this a massive massive kid who is listed at 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds.
The Ranger are raving about the lefty as being a pure hitter with explosive wrists with projectable 70 plus raw power. Simply put, this kid could become a monster if his hit tool develops as they predict. He has already shown an advanced feel for hitting, showing a very good contact rate with the ability to mash the ball to all fields. His throwing arm is a tick below average as is his running ability, thus causing the Rangers to move the seventeen year old from the outfield to first base. Reports from the instructs league were astounding. The great prospect evaluators, Jason Parks of Baseball prospectus said: "I will continue to claim that Guzman is the most impressive 16 year-old prospect I’ve EVER seen". Parks also threw out an Eric Hosmer comp, which quickly caught my attention.
If Guzman reaching his ceiling, he could hit .300, draw walks at a solid clip and mash 30 plus home runs annually. He goes deep into counts and reports rave of a solid approach with an all around instinctual feel for the game. He earns raves for makeup, work ethic, and aptitude to adapt and learn the game. I recently spoke to Jim Callis of Baseball America who mentioned that while he has been burned a few times too many by the international 16 year olds, he puts a high stock in the opinions of the Rangers international evaluators, who gush over this kid.
Video after the jump:
Again, this player is a LONG way away, but if you are in a dynasty league and want to acquire a possible superstar, here is your chance. We will wait and see if the Rangers are aggressive with Guzman and start him Northwest League Spokane where Jurickson Profar made his pro debut, or he could start in rookie league with a possible mid-season promotion to Spokane lurking.
If you look at tape posted below, you will see the most gorgeous and effortless lefty swing of those that cannot vote!
@MarkusPotter
DPL- Ronald Guzman www.dplbaseball.com.wmv (via dplbaseball)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3HXdeqX8DU