Kansas City Royals: Offseason Prospect Watch, Jeison Guzman

Though MLB Pipeline will soon re-rank the prospects on their list of top 30 prospects in the Kansas City Royals organization, shortstop Jeison Guzman currently resides in the 22nd spot.

Jeison Guzman signed with the Kansas City Royals in July of 2015. During the 15-16 signing period, the Royals exceeded their international bonus pool for the first time. Guzman received one of the biggest bonuses, along with outfielder Seuly Matias.

Guzman played for the Burlington Royals and Lexington Legends in the 2018 season, and MLB Pipeline predicts he will hit the big leagues in the 2021 season.

Scouting Report

Based on MLB Pipeline’s grading, he is fairly average overall, with a grade of 45. His arm and fielding grades are the highest, sitting at 55, followed by run at 50, and hitting at 45.

He’s a switch-hitter, and with a bit more power, he should be able to bump up his numbers. In 2018, he hit 12 doubles, four triples, four home runs, and knocked in just 29 RBI’s in 85 games worth of play.

In 2018, he slashed .254/.327/.356 overall. His career slash is a little lower, sitting at .239/.312/.327.

2019 Expectations

The 20 year old will likely begin the season with the Lexington Legends again in 2019. After all, it wasn’t long ago he was still in the rookie leagues. Before the season is over, though, it is possible he will receive a promotion to Wilmington.

Seeing time in Northwest Arkansas with the Naturals isn’t out of the question, but it isn’t super likely until 2020. According to MLB Pipeline, the Kansas City Royals really like him and his potential both offensively and defensively. They also like the way he has handled the adversity he has faced coming into his new career as a professional baseball player, and they admire his maturity.

He isn’t a flashy shortstop and he isn’t the quickest shortstop in the world, but his arm strength bodes well for him.