Jorge Guzman: Is he the Marlins closer of the future?

Miami Marlins prospect Jorge Guzman might be the hardest throwing pitcher in the team’s minor league system. Will a lack of control lead him to the bullpen? Is he this team’s closer of the future?

Could it be that Jorge Guzman just needs more time to work on his game? The Miami Marlins No. 6 prospect has been regarded as the organization’s hardest throwing pitcher, but his inability to have a command of his control on the mound may ultimately determine his fate on the minor league level.

While the Marlins feel they got a future building block of the pitching staff in the trade that sent Giancarlo Stanton to New York, Guzman’s development may take a little longer than the front office anticipated.

Joe Frisaro of MLB.com writes Guzman wants to be in the Marlins starting rotation once he makes it to the Majors, but that might not be possible if he cannot put together more consistency on the mound.

“The flamethrower spent the entire 2018 season at Class A Advanced Jupiter, where his velocity maxed at 101 mph. Guzman is a physical presence, who also is polishing up his slider and changeup,” Frisaro writes.More from Marlins NewsMiami Marlins news: Another target goneWhy didn’t the Miami Marlins sign JDM?Miami Marlins rejected Boston‘s trade offerMiami Marlins are pursuing Michael ConfortoMiami Marlins need to spend to win“The Marlins added the 22-year-old right-hander to their 40-man roster in the offseason, and he is expected to start off at Double-A Jacksonville, where he will be in the rotation.”

The Jumbo Shrimp have had success over the past couple of seasons sending pitchers to the Majors, with Pablo Lopez dominating the Southern League in the first month of the 2018 season before being fast-tracked to Triple-A New Orleans and then to Miami before the All-Star break.

Jarlin Garcia, Drew Steckenrider, Dillon Peters [no longer with the team]  and Trevor Richards have all made stops in North Florida along the way to south Florida.

“This season will give a better indication of whether Guzman profiles as a future option for the rotation,” Frisaro added.“If he moves to the bullpen, whether he becomes a closer or not will depend on how effective he is at missing bats. To close, you need swing-and-miss pitches.”

Guzman, whose arm has been compared to Aroldis Chapman in the past, has a chance to also becoem the team’s ace in time.

A crowded rotation and plenty of prospects in the Marlins minor league system could also have an effect on when and where he winds up on the team’s pitching staff.

“Of course, the preference is for Guzman to be a starter. But if he isn’t able to command his fastball to both sides of the plate, then his future may ultimately be as a reliever,” writes Frisaro.