Marlins Minor Leagues: Jorge Guzman makes his case for Sept. 1 callup

Will the recent success of the Marlins No. 17 prospect Jorge Guzman lead to him joining the team when Miami expands its roster on Sept. 1?

The Miami Marlins have done their fair share of moving players the past two weeks. Trades, player assignments and changes to both the Major League and minor league rosters have this team in a bit of transition as the organization prepares for the end of the 2019 season.

As the Marlins move toward yet another losing season, minor leaguers are pushing through at the right time, showing the front office what they are capable of and hoping for an invite to the big leagues when the roster expands on Sept 1.

Jorge Guzman is making the best of the situation at the right time. As a member of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the Marlins Double-A affiliate, the consistency Guzman has shown in recent weeks will bode well for him this season and heading into 2020.

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Where Guzman fits with the Marlins in the future is not known, where his fastball could mean a trip to the bullpen as a future closer. He has been solid for the Jumbo Shrimp as they fight for a second-half title in the Southern League and a playoff berth. He and Sixto Sanchez, the team’s top prospect, have formed a potent punch in the rotation.

You can add Edward Cabrera as another prospect who is knocking on the door for a late-season invite.

Guzman is the Marlins No. 17 prospect, a player sent over from the New York Yankees in the deal for Giancarlo Stanton. There was talk early on about where he fit in the Marlins pitching staff in two seasons. Now, the front office has a better idea of what is to come from the 23-year-old.

“Already on the 40-man roster, Guzman’s strong finish has put him in consideration for a September callup. Miami is not yet solidifying any promotions for when rosters expand on Sept. 1,” Joe Frisaro of MLB.com writes.“Traditionally, September is when clubs bring in pitching reinforcements. And Miami is hopeful that in the final month they will have José Ureña (herniated disc) and Pablo López (right shoulder strain) ready to pitch.”

It could be a numbers game that keeps Guzman off the Marlins late-season roster. As Lopez, who has pitched in Jacksonville on his rehab assignment, continues to get ready to return to the parent club, the Marlins may be faced with a situation of addition canceling out Guzman’s chance to take the next step forward.

“Guzman, meanwhile, is expected to remain in Jacksonville as part of a strong rotation that includes top prospect Sixto Sanchez and Edward Cabrera (ranked seventh),” Frisaro added.“The organization, though, is still weighing if Guzman projects as a starter or reliever, where he could be a future closer candidate if he shows he can reduce his 4.73 percent walk rate.”

Whatever the organization does with Guzman and where he fits, if he continues to throw with success in the future, the Marlins have another dominant starter/reliever they can use in the future as a puzzle piece in Miami or potentially a trade chip to help another position that needs more depth in the future.