Dodgers 2014 Player Reviews: Alex Guerrero

[new_royalslider id=”34″] Quickly after the Los Angeles Dodgers were eliminated in the 2013 postseason, they signed a middle infielder from Cuba that was expected to be their everyday second baseman in 2014.

Things never quite materialized for Guerrero as he had trouble with injuries in Winter League and issues with his visa that caused him to come to the United States later than expected. He spent the spring with the Dodgers, working for a roster spot, but was behind in his development at second base. Although he made the travel roster for Australia, he struck out in his one at-bat and was optioned to Triple-A once the season started back up in the U.S.

He hit well in Triple-A, adjusting to playing second base and was on the verge of being promoted to the big leagues when he was involved in an altercation with teammate Miguel Olivo that resulted in Guerrero’s ear being partially bitten off. The scuffle made national headlines and put Guerrero on the disabled list after plastic surgery to reattach his ear.

Once Guerrero worked his way back, the Dodgers were not in need of his services until the expansion of rosters on September 1. He never appeared at second base in the major leagues, appearing in three games as a left fielder only. Overall, he participated in 11 games and had one hit in 13 at-bats.

For the Isotopes, the 27-year-old hit .333 with 17 home runs and 57 RBIs in 77 games.

2014 Season Highlight

Against the San Francisco Giants on the road, Guerrero came in to play left field in the seventh inning of a blowout by the Dodgers. He came to bat in the top of the eighth and delivered a line drive to left field that would fall in for his first career hit. He advanced as far as third base that inning, but did not score.

2015 Outlook

The future seems bleak for Guerrero with the Dodgers, assuming that Gordon builds on his breakout season. He will have to work on his defense and hope that he can make the team in a backup role, and possibly platoon with Gordon against left-handed pitchers. If the Dodgers bring back Justin Turner in a utility role, Guerrero would be competing with Miguel Rojas and Erisbel Arruebarrena for a second infield role, based on if Hanley Ramirez returns.