Angel Guzman

2013

There was no outlook written for Angel Guzman.

2010

Once the Cubs' top pitching prospect, Guzman had been derailed by shoulder and elbow problems for the better part of five years - until 2009. Guzman was the team's most consistent reliever last year, posting a 2.95 ERA and 1.049 WHIP. His peripherals weren't quite so good - 47:23 K:BB in 61 IP with eight home runs allowed, aided by an unsustainable .209 BABIP. But he kept the ball on the ground, so his good luck with balls in play was somewhat offset by bad luck with balls going out of the park. The bottom line - he's another year removed from elbow surgery, still throws in the mid-90s with a hard slider and changeup and will occupy a primary setup role to the dominant yet wild Carlos Marmol. Guzman is always a health risk, but he's an excellent closer-in-waiting gamble with significant upside.

2009

Once the Cubs' top pitching prospect, Guzman has had arm problems for the better part of the last five years. His latest surgery, an elbow reconstruction, took place in September 2007, but Guzman actually made it back at the tail end of last year, logging 10 innings. Keep an eye on him this spring - he'll be competing for a middle-relief job.

2008

Guzman underwent reconstructive elbow surgery last September and won't be available until late 2008 at the earliest. At this point, we'd be surprised if he ever lived up to his one-time top prospect status.

2007

They say the last thing to come back when a pitcher returns from injury is command, and Guzman seems to be a case in point. Plagued by a series of arm problems, including a minor labrum tear in 2003, a fatigued shoulder in 2004 and a forearm injury in 2005, Guzman stayed largely healthy in 2006 and managed more than a strikeout per inning at Triple-A Iowa and for 56 innings in the majors. But during his stay with the Cubs, Guzman walked too many batters, and gave up too many fly balls and home runs. His ugly ERA and WHIP are partially due to an unlucky hit rate, though, and he actually pitched fairly well at Triple-A. While Guzman might never live up to his top prospect status, there's still some upside here if his command returns now that he's two seasons removed from injury.

2006

Once the top pitching prospect in the Cubs organization, a series of arm problems, including a minor labrum tear in 2003, a fatigued shoulder in 2004 and a forearm injury in 2005 have derailed Guzman's career. There is some cause for hope, however, as Guzman pitched well in the Arizona Fall League with a 28/12 K/BB ratio in 30 2/3 IP with just two home runs allowed. Before he got hurt, Guzman had a 90-plus mph fastball with great life, a heavy sinker and a big overhand curve, and there were reports that he was throwing in the mid-90s again in the AFL.

2005

Once the top pitching prospect in the Cubs organization, Guzman was cruising along at Double-A before shoulder trouble ended his 2003 season. Arthroscopic surgery revealed only a minor tear to the back of the labrum and no damage to his rotator cuff. He returned at high Single-A last spring and struck out 40 batters in 30 IP before getting recalled to Double-A. He struggled there, complained of shoulder fatigue and was shut down again last August. Before he got hurt, Guzman had a 90-plus mph fastball with great life, a heavy sinker and a big overhand curve, but right now his status for the start of 2005 is unclear.

2004

The top pitching prospect in the Cubs' organization, Guzman was cruising along at Double-A before being sidelined with shoulder trouble. He eventually had arthroscopic surgery, which revealed only a minor tear to the back of the labrum and no damage to his rotator cuff. As a result, Guzman should be with the Cubs in spring training, though his 2004 debut may not come until May. Before the surgery, Guzman had a 90+ mph fastball with great life and movement, a heavy sinker, a big overhand curve and an outstanding change-up, so if he can return to form, there's an excellent chance that he'll contribute to the major league club at some point this season either as a fifth starter or out of the pen.

2003

Guzman took off in 2002 at the Class-A level. He possesses a 90+ MPH fastball with great life and movement, a heavy sinker, a big overhand curve, and an outstanding change-up that some organization scouts believe is the best within the system. Like Mark Prior, he has an easy, compact delivery that shouldn’t create undo stress on his arm over the long haul. He should begin the year at Double-A Tennessee but could move as high as Triple-A in 2003. Could be ready to compete for a rotation spot as early as 2004 but should be in 2005.