Brandon Guyer Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1291
AVG	.250
OBP	.339
SLG	.388
HR	32

Full name Brandon Eric Guyer
Born 01/28/1986 in West Chester, PA
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Virginia
Debut 05/06/2011
Drafted in the 5th round (157th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2007 (signed for $148,000).

View Draft Report

Guyer played poorly in the Cape Cod League last year, and he ultimately could fall into the category of solid hitter without enough power for a corner or quickness for the middle of the diamond. The consistent hard contact he made for the Cavaliers this spring opened the eyes of scouts, however, and in a draft thin in college hitters, he had a chance to go off the board in the top five rounds. He plays the game with fervor and has an aggressive, all-out approach. He doesn't work counts and he will swing and miss often, but he has solid-average bat speed and an ability to lash line drives from gap to gap. He's a 60 runner on the 20-80 scale, but lacks the lateral quickness to develop into an above-average defensive second baseman, and his fringy arm strength plays best in left field.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Guyer had an impressive first season in the Rays system after arriving from the Cubs in the Matt Garza trade. He tied for second in the International League in runs (78) and ranked fourth in on-base percentage (.384) and fifth in hitting (.312) and slugging (.521). He also hit a two-run homer off Zach Britton in his first big league at-bat in May, and went deep again against Derek Holland in September. Guyer offers an impressive combination of speed and power. He has an ideal body and a smooth swing that produces solid pop from gap to gap. A career .297 hitter in the minors, he should hit for average in the big leagues once he tightens his strike zone and shows more patience looking for pitches he can drive. Guyer has plus speed and is a constant threat to take the extra base. He could steal 20 bases annually in the majors. He's capable of playing all three outfield spots, and with above-average arm strength and good carry on his throws, he fits nicely in right field. Guyer is ready to become a big league regular and is just waiting for an opening in Tampa Bay.
When the Cubs scouted Guyer at a 2007 NCAA playoff game, they saw him dislocate his left shoulder in a home-plate collision. The shoulder bothered him for his first two years in pro ball, and it led to another stint on the disabled list last May. That didn't stop him from leading the system in batting (.344) and the Double-A Southern League in slugging (.588) and OPS (.986), which earned him the organization's minor league player of the year award and a spot on the 40-man roster. An all-Virginia high school running back and linebacker who drew interest from college football programs, Guyer has solid power, plus speed and the best present outfield skills in the system. He's aggressive in all phases of the game, which hurts him at the plate because he makes contact so easily that he doesn't draw many walks. He knows how to use his quickness on the bases, swiping 30 bags in 33 tries last year. Guyer can play all three outfield positions, thanks to his speed and instincts. His arm has improved to where it's now average, and it's accurate as well. Scouts see Guyer as a lesser version of Brett Jackson or a stronger version of Reed Johnson. Guyer's encore this year in Triple-A will help determine whether he'll become a regular or a fourth outfielder.
The best athlete in the system, Guyer needed some time before he was able to truly show off his tools in pro ball. He dislocated his left shoulder in a home-plate collision during an NCAA regional game shortly before the Cubs made him a fifth-round pick in 2007. Doctors recommended rehab rather than surgery, and he played in pain during his pro debut before having an operation in the offseason. While working his way back into shape during spring training, he came down with a stress fracture in his right elbow. Guyer finally joined Peoria in mid-May, and he showed what he can do once he was 100 percent in mid-June. Guyer has plus-plus speed and raw power. He homered and fell a double shy of hitting for the cycle when Peoria hosted a Midwest League game at Wrigley Field on July 29. Guyer will need to make some adjustments at the plate, such as improving his pitch recognition, plate discipline and ability to handle breaking balls. He brings a football mentality to the ballpark, a remnant of his days as an all-state running back and linebacker for his Virginia high school. That aggressiveness helps him on the basepaths, where he has the quickness to steal bases in the big leagues. Though Guyer played mostly left field last year to reduce the strain on his shoulder and elbow, he has the range to play center and an adequate arm for the position. If everything comes together for him, he could be a stronger version of Aaron Rowand. The Cubs won't be surprised if Guyer has a breakout year and pushes his way to Double-A in 2009, and it's possible that he could begin the season there.

Minor League Top Prospects

Guyer made a great impression in his first year in the Rays organization after coming over from the Cubs in the Matt Garza deal. He spent most of the season in Durham as one of the league's top hitters, and he belted a two-run homer in his first big league at-bat in May. He excited IL observers with his enthusiastic, heady play and expansive toolbox. Guyer is an aggressive hitter who will be a threat to hit .300, especially if he can iron out his streaky peaks and valleys. He has the power to hit 20 homers while amassing a healthy number of doubles as well. He'll become even more dangerous when he tightens up his strike zone a little and looks for pitches he can drive. A plus runner, Guyer creates excitement on the basepaths by looking to take the extra base whenever possible. He has the wheels and instincts to steal 20 or more bases annually and play any of the three outfield spots. His strong arm lends itself well to right field.
Guyer isn't young for a prospect at 24, but he has solid across-the-board tools and turned in the best season of his four-year pro career. He led the league in slugging (.588) and OPS (.986) while stealing 30 bases 33 attempts. The ball jumps off Guyer's bat and he's a potential .280 hitter with 15 homers annually in the majors. He's still developing as a hitter, though, as he tends to hunt for pitches off the plate and sometimes gets himself out by taking defensive swings. He makes good contact but doesn't work counts or draw walks as much as he should. Guyer has plus speed and an aggressive mentality on the basepaths. Capable of playing all three outfield positions, he reads balls well off the bat and makes strong accurate throws. One scout compared Guyer to Reed Johnson as a hard-working, max-effort player who may stick more as a good fourth outfielder than as an everyday player.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Outfield Arm in the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012
Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Chicago Cubs in 2011
Rated Best Athlete in the Chicago Cubs in 2009

Career Transactions

OF Brandon Guyer retired.
OF Brandon Guyer assigned to Sacramento River Cats.
RF Brandon Guyer assigned to San Francisco Giants.
LF Brandon Guyer assigned to Criollos de Caguas.
OF Brandon Guyer elected free agency.
Charlotte Knights activated OF Brandon Guyer from the 7-day injured list.
Charlotte Knights placed OF Brandon Guyer on the 7-day injured list.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent OF Brandon Guyer to a minor league contract.
OF Brandon Guyer assigned to Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox released OF Brandon Guyer.
Charlotte Knights released OF Brandon Guyer.
OF Brandon Guyer assigned to Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent OF Brandon Guyer to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
RF Brandon Guyer elected free agency.
Cleveland Indians activated RF Brandon Guyer from the 10-day disabled list.
Cleveland Indians sent RF Brandon Guyer on a rehab assignment to Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Indians sent RF Brandon Guyer on a rehab assignment to Akron RubberDucks.
Cleveland Indians placed RF Brandon Guyer on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to May 20, 2018. Left cervical strain.
Cleveland Indians activated RF Brandon Guyer.
Cleveland Indians reassigned RF Brandon Guyer to the minor leagues.
Cleveland Indians reassigned RF Brandon Guyer to the minor leagues.
Cleveland Indians sent OF Brandon Guyer on a rehab assignment to Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Indians placed LF Brandon Guyer on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to May 13, 2017. Left wrist injury.
Cleveland Indians activated LF Brandon Guyer.
Tampa Bay Rays traded LF Brandon Guyer to Cleveland Indians for RHP Jhonleider Salinas and OF Nathan Lukes.
Tampa Bay Rays activated LF Brandon Guyer from the 15-day disabled list.
Tampa Bay Rays sent LF Brandon Guyer on a rehab assignment to Charlotte Stone Crabs.
Tampa Bay Rays placed LF Brandon Guyer on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 4, 2016. Strained left hamstring
Tampa Bay Rays activated LF Brandon Guyer from the 15-day disabled list.
Tampa Bay Rays sent LF Brandon Guyer on a rehab assignment to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays placed LF Brandon Guyer on the 15-day disabled list. Fractured left thumb
Tampa Bay Rays activated LF Brandon Guyer from the 60-day disabled list.
Tampa Bay Rays transferred LF Brandon Guyer from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. Fractured right middle finger.
Tampa Bay Rays sent LF Brandon Guyer on a rehab assignment to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays sent LF Brandon Guyer on a rehab assignment to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled LF Brandon Guyer from Durham Bulls.
Brandon Guyer roster status changed by Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned LF Brandon Guyer to Durham Bulls.
Brandon Guyer roster status changed by Tampa Bay Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays transferred RF Brandon Guyer from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.
Tampa Bay Rays placed RF Brandon Guyer on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 13, 2012. Left shoulder strain.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled Brandon Guyer from Durham Bulls.
Brandon Guyer roster status changed by Durham Bulls.
Durham Bulls placed RF Brandon Guyer on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to April 27, 2012.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned RF Brandon Guyer to Durham Bulls.
Brandon Guyer roster status changed by Tampa Bay Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled Brandon Guyer from Durham Bulls.
Brandon Guyer roster status changed by Tampa Bay Rays.
Brandon Guyer roster status changed by Durham Bulls.
Durham Bulls placed RF Brandon Guyer on the 7-day disabled list.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned RF Brandon Guyer to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled Brandon Guyer from Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned Brandon Guyer to Durham Bulls.
Tampa Bay Rays recalled Brandon Guyer from Durham Bulls.
Hudson Valley Renegades Traded LHP Zac Rosscup to Boise Hawks; Tampa Bay Rays Traded CF Fernando Perez and RHP Matt Garza to Chicago Cubs; Peoria Chiefs Traded SS Hak-Ju Lee to Bowling Green Hot Rods and Chicago Cubs Traded RF Brandon Guyer, RHP Chris Archer, C Robinson Chirinos and LF Sam Fuld to Tampa Bay Rays.
Tampa Bay Rays optioned Brandon Guyer to Durham Bulls.
Chicago Cubs selected the contract of Brandon Guyer from Tennessee Smokies.
Tigres de Aragua signed RF Brandon Guyer.
Brandon Guyer roster status changed by Tennessee Smokies.
Tennessee Smokies placed RF Brandon Guyer on the 7-day disabled list.
Tennessee Smokies activated RF Brandon Guyer from the 7-day disabled list.
Tennessee Smokies placed RF Brandon Guyer on the 7-day disabled list.
RF Brandon Guyer assigned to Chicago Cubs.
RF Brandon Guyer assigned to Tennessee Smokies from Daytona Cubs.
Brandon Guyer assigned to Daytona Cubs from Tennessee Smokies.