- Full name Junior Guerrero
- Born 08/21/1979 in
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
The nephew of famed Latin American scout Epy Guerrero, Junior looked like a great find in 1999, when he dominated the Carolina League and ranked among the minor league leaders in ERA and strikeouts per nine innings (10.46). But last year he was probably the most disappointing player in the system. Double-A hitters feasted on Guerrero, showing that a pitcher can’t live on velocity alone. He throws in the mid-90s and can reach 98 mph, but his fastball is straight and up in the strike zone, and advanced hitters can pound it. Compounding his troubles, he has no secondary pitches he can trust. His mid-80s slider has potential, though he can’t throw it for strikes and Double-A batters refused to chase it. He’s also working on a splitter and a changeup, and neither is close to average yet. Guerrero will get a second chance in Wichita in 2001.