Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

The No. 28 prospect on MLB Pipeline’s Top 50 International prospects list when the signing period opened in January 2021, Guzman got $2 million to sign with the Angels. While his debut in the Dominican Summer League was nothing to write home about, he had a much better time of it in the Arizona Complex League for his United States debut in 2022, earning a late bump up to full-season ball. That’s where he spent all of the 2023 season; the overall numbers don’t jump out, but he did show improvements on both sides of the ball as the year wore on.

Guzman was just 19 for the 2023 season, one of many younger players the Angels pushed to Inland Empire last year. His approach got away from him at times in the California League with a strikeout rate that jumped over 27 percent and he needs to work on better swing decisions to reverse that trend. He did start tapping into his raw power late in the year, combining for six homers in July and August, and he could get to it more consistently if he can cut down on the strikeouts.

The Angels are bullish on Guzman’s work defensively. He played a solid shortstop with a strong arm, good hands and instincts, also improving as his first year of full-season ball wore on; the general thinking is that he can stay at the premium position for a long time. He’s not terribly fleet afoot, so if he slows down much more, his arm would work from third, but that would put added pressure on the bat to do elevated damage.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Major League teams handed out 13 bonuses of $2 million or more when the delayed 2020-21 international signing period opened on Jan. 15, 2021. Guzman, ranked as one of the best infielders in the class, was at the bottom of that list as the Angels’ top signee during the period. His numbers during his Dominican Summer League debut that year don’t jump off the page, but the Angels liked how he went about his business and some of the positives he showed in the DSL carried over to a much more productive U.S. debut in the Arizona Complex League in 2022.

Still a teenager for all of the 2023 season, Guzman has already started showing why he was thought to be one of the better pure hitters in his international class. The right-handed hitter has a solid approach at the plate and a feel for the barrel that belies his years. He’s capable of hitting the ball hard to all fields and there should be continued extra-base authority to come as he fills out thanks to his bat speed and ability drive the ball in the air.

With a strong arm, good hands and excellent instincts, the Angels do think he has every chance to stick at shortstop even though he has fringy speed. If he slows down more, he could slide over to second base and become a hit-over-power big league regular on the right side of the infield.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

A member of MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 international prospects list when the delayed 2020-21 signing period began, Guzman got $2 million from the Angels to sign right when the period opened on January 15. In his professional debut, he showed some positive things in terms of approach and feel to hit, as well as solid defensive actions, even if the overall numbers -- a .213/.311/.362 line with 12 errors in the Dominican Summer League -- don’t necessarily reflect that.

Guzman had a reputation as one of the best pure hitters in his international class and he did show a very good feel for the barrel and made more contact than even the Angels thought he would out of the gate, striking out infrequently while also drawing a lot of walks. The right-handed hitter has solid bat speed and the ability to hit the ball hard to all fields and while he has a hit-over-power approach that focuses on going up the middle and hitting the gaps, he should grow into more power as he matures.

The Angels feel he has every chance to stick at shortstop, maybe more than other middle infield prospects in the Top 30. He has outstanding instincts, good footwork and a strong arm, though there is a chance he could slow down enough to necessitate a move, especially given he’s not a burner now. He’s bringing his aptitude and instincts on both sides of the ball to the United States for the first time.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Because of the pandemic, the 2020-21 international signing period didn’t actually begin until Jan. 15, 2021. The Angels were busy, as they often are on the international market, handing out four bonuses of six figures or more. Guzman, ranked No. 29 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 international prospects list, led them all, getting $2 million to sign, before making his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League.

One of the best pure hitters in his class, Guzman utilizes a small leg kick to create good rhythm to his right-handed swing and uses good bat speed to make hard contact to all fields. He has an advanced approach for his age with a solid knowledge of the strike zone, and while he’s content to hit the ball up the middle and to the gaps, there’s raw power for him to tap into while working on adding loft to his swing.

A solid defender with the potential to have a plus arm and good footwork, he may or may not stick at shortstop. A fringy runner, he could very well outgrow the premium position, with his arm and potential offensive profile a good fit for third base in the future.

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50

There’s a lot to like about Guzman. He’s one of the best pure hitters in the class and ultimately, it’s the hit tool that makes him so attractive to scouts.

First and foremost, he knows the strike zone. He shows a sound swing with a small leg kick. There’s a nice rhythm to his approach and he has a knack for making hard contact to all fields. He likes to hit the ball up the middle and into the gaps, and is projected to add some power as he develops. He’s not a big time thumper that will drive the ball out of the ballpark on a consistent basis, at least for now, but he’s consistent and is working on adding loft to his swing.

On defense, he might end up at third base because of his projected size and overall skillset. He’s a solid defender with plus-arm potential. He shows good footwork on both sides of the ball. He’s considered a below average runner.

Guzman trains with Juan Rodriguez at Global Baseball Academy in the Dominican Republic. The Angels are the favorite to sign him.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	10/24/2024	SS Denzer Guzman assigned to Toros del Este.
	05/07/2024	SS Denzer Guzman assigned to Rocket City Trash Pandas from Tri-City Dust Devils.
	04/02/2024	SS Denzer Guzman assigned to Tri-City Dust Devils from Inland Empire 66ers.
	03/07/2024	Los Angeles Angels Prospects activated SS Denzer Guzman.
	03/05/2023	SS Denzer Guzman roster status changed by Los Angeles Angels.
	03/05/2023	SS Denzer Guzman assigned to Los Angeles Angels.
	09/28/2022	Angels Organization activated SS Denzer Guzman.
	09/28/2022	SS Denzer Guzman assigned to Angels Organization.
	08/25/2022	SS Denzer Guzman assigned to Inland Empire 66ers from ACL Angels.
	06/06/2022	SS Denzer Guzman assigned to ACL Angels.
	03/25/2022	SS Denzer Guzman assigned to Los Angeles Angels.
	03/25/2022	SS Denzer Guzman roster status changed by Los Angeles Angels.
	06/08/2021	SS Denzer Guzman assigned to DSL Angels.
	01/15/2021	Los Angeles Angels signed free agent SS Denzer Guzman to a minor league contract.