Giants Bring In Former Top 1B Prospect Turned Pitcher

One of baseball's top prospects as a first baseman in 2018, the now 28-year-old never lived up to the hype and is now trying his hand as a left-handed pitcher.

Giants signed 1B/LHP Ronald Guzmán (28.2Y, 6'5" 225) to a minor league contract. 2011 IFA signing by TEX-D.R.
MLB: 832 PA, 84 DRC+.

Guzmán has worked to convert to pitching this winter. 94-96 FB w/ high spin SL, CH, decent feel. Don't know if Giants signed him as P or 1B. pic.twitter.com/TLmv1ROx1Q

— GPT (@giantsprospects) January 19, 2023

The San Francisco Giants have given Ronald Guzman a minor league contract. The former Texas Ranger prospect has been working on his conversion to the mound this winter. He's been hitting 94-96 mph with his fastball.  

In his debut season with the Rangers, he batted .235 with a .722 OPS and 16 HR, including a 3-HR game against the New York Yankees. But his at-bats and production slipped more and more over the next few years. The Rangers let him go after the 2021 season. 

The Yankees didn't forget, however, and gave him a shot at Triple-A in 2022, where he hit .255 with an .822 OPS along with 16 longballs. He got in six plate appearances with the big club in September, but failed to register a hit. 

Whether his attempt to convert to a pitcher is successful or not remains to be seen, but in the meantime, he'll serve as a depth piece for the Giants' organization. 

Photo: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports