Colorado Rockies: Finding under-the-radar free agent hitters

Ronald Guzman, 1B, 27 years old on Opening Day

I’d like to think Ronald Guzman could be this year’s Greg Bird for the Colorado Rockies

Whether or not he makes an MLB roster in 2022, Guzman brings quality depth to an organization.

Pre-2018, Baseball Prospectus ranked Guzman as the 94th-best prospect in baseball. Later that year, the Rangers gave the mammoth first baseman his first taste of the bigs. He took that opportunity and ran, asserting himself as a part of Texas’ future.

Unfortunately, he stagnated during his sophomore season before losing out on playing time in 2020 to Todd Frazier and Danny Santana. Then, in 2021, the Rangers opted to invest almost all their first base time in Nate Lowe. Guzman was then outrighted following the season.

Frankly, Guzman didn’t get the best hand dealt to him and operated on a short leash. Between his mammoth raw power (112 mph career max exit velocity) and patient approach, the chance for a break-out is better than most.

Guzman made a couple of brief appearances in left field for the Rangers and, despite his limited athleticism, if he can acquire some versatility, there’s intriguing upside as a righty-mashing role player.