04/13/16 / Padres360.com / @Padres360
by Rebecca Herman & Wayne McBrayer at Lake Elsinore, CA
Javier Guerra (Photo by SoxProspects News)
Trading an All-Star closer like Craig Kimbrel was a huge gamble by the San Diego Padres. One of the players the Padres acquired in the deal with the Boston Red Sox was shortstop Javier Guerra.
Lake Elsinore Storm Javier Guerra (Photo by Rebecca Herman)
Signed in 2013 by the Boston Red Sox, they assigned the 17 year old shortstop to the Dominican Summer League where he got his first taste of organized baseball. He hit .248 with 23 RBI’s and displayed a very powerful throwing arm despite struggling in the field making 14 errors in 59 games. Promoted to the Gulf Coast League for 2014, Javier’s offensive stats showed improvement with his average moving up to .269 with 14 doubles, 4 triples, 2 homers and 23 RBI’s in only 51 games, but he did make 11 errors at shortstop. For 2015, he was moved up to A ball Greenville of the Southern Atlantic League where his hitting stats went through the roof! His average increased to .279, and his home run total moved up to 15, his doubles to 23, he had 3 triples and drove in 68 runs. His only struggle has been in the field where he made 27 errors, but he has displayed above average range and like we previously mentioned, a powerful throwing arm.
Warms-ups at Lake Elsinore (Photo by Rebecca Herman)
During Spring Training, Javier played for Panama in the World Baseball Classic, batting .231 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI’s and will begin the season with the Lake Elsinore Storm of the A+ California League. We had an opportunity to talk to Javier about baseball and his expectations for the 2016 season.
Lake Elsinore Storm
Be sure to take the short drive up the I-15 and catch some games with our Padres high A affiliate. It’s always a fun day at The Diamond and it gives you a chance to see the future Padres. Their home opener is this Thursday, April 14, 2016. Click here for the full schedule.
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