8/10/25

DEEP DIVE - OF/1B Randy Guzman - Yunior Amparo -Jeremy Rodriguez

 


Randy Guzman



Randy Guzman

A deep dive…

Randy Enmanuel Guzman is a 20-year-old outfielder and first baseman in the New York Mets' minor league system.

Born on April 19, 2005, in Tenares, Dominican Republic, he stands at 6'4" and weighs 215 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed.

Currently, he’s playing for the St. Lucie Mets, the team’s Low-A affiliate, after being promoted from the Florida Complex League (FCL) Mets on July 25, 2025.

Guzman has shown promise in his first season stateside. In Low-A with St. Lucie, he’s had a hot start, hitting multiple extra-base hits, including a home run, a double, and an RBI double, with a standout performance on August 3, 2025, where he went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, and 4 RBIs.

 His overall OPS in St. Lucie is reported at .996, reflecting his offensive impact. Earlier in the FCL, he dominated, which led to his promotion. On July 31, 2025, he contributed a two-run single in a comeback win against the Jupiter Hammerheads, helping St. Lucie secure a 10-5 victory and their eighth consecutive game won.

Guzman’s journey in the Mets’ system began with assignments to the Dominican Summer League (DSL) Mets Blue and Orange teams in 2023, where he moved between the two rosters. His recent performances indicate he’s a prospect to watch, with notable power (one hit had an exit velocity of 109 MPH) and versatility, playing both first base and corner outfield positions.

                Me?

                It always amazes me how some 20-year olds are in the majors while others are playing in Low-A or for rookie teams.

Well, in this case, Guzman started playing for the DSL teams at 18/years old, at least one year older than most. In fact, some start at 16. Next came batting .175 in 143-AB, so you can shit can 2023. 2024 brought only 107-AB for the combined DSL teams. It took until this year, stateside, for him to start putting up decent numbers.

Should they promote him this year to Brooklyn? Nah, the lion share of this season he played for the FCL Mets (156-AB, .282) and he only has 36-ABs so far for Lucy (.333).

Is he for real?

Check back with me this time next season.


Mets Prospect Group                     @bkfan09

18 yr old Yunior Amparo having a great 1st Pro debut.. 


Yunior Amparo is an 18-year-old shortstop in the New York Mets organization, currently playing for the DSL Mets Orange in the Dominican Summer League (DSL).

Born on September 18, 2006, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he stands at 6'0" and weighs 170 pounds.

A right-handed batter and thrower, Amparo was signed by the Mets in August 2024, marking his first professional season in 2025.

Amparo has shown significant promise as a prospect. He’s noted for his compact, athletic frame and quick-twitch abilities, which allow him to make a wide range of plays in the field. His defensive skills are highlighted by his ability to move left and right with ease and a plus arm, potentially even stronger, making him a standout shortstop.

At the plate, he’s demonstrated a strong performance in his debut season, posting a 1.012 OPS through 93 at-bats, with nine extra-base hits and 19 walks, indicating good plate discipline and power potential. Observers, including Baseball America’s Josh Norris, have praised his competitive at-bats, loud contact, and speed, marking him as one of the more intriguing prospects in the DSL for 2025.


Daniel Wexler                   @WexlerRules

Jeremy Rodriguez is now 4 steals from 30 on the season after swiping 3 bags last night for St. Lucie.

                A deep dive…

           

Jeremy Rodríguez is a promising infield prospect in the New York Mets organization, acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade for outfielder Tommy Pham on August 1, 2023. Born on July 4, 2006, in Esperanza, Dominican Republic, Rodríguez is a left-handed batter and right-handed thrower, standing at 6’0” and weighing 170 pounds. At just 19 years old (as of August 2025), he’s considered one of the Mets’ top prospects, ranked No. 7 by MLB Pipeline and No. 3 by FanGraphs, where he was also listed as the 96th-best prospect in baseball in 2023.

Background and Acquisition

Rodríguez was a highly touted international free agent, signing with the Diamondbacks for $1.25 million in January 2023. He was the top signing in Arizona’s 2023 international class and ranked No. 47 among international prospects by MLB.com. After a strong start in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) with Arizona, the Mets acquired him in the Pham trade, a move now viewed as a potential steal for New York.

Performance and Stats

2023 (DSL): Rodríguez debuted professionally at age 16, playing 51 games split between Arizona’s DSL team and the Mets’ DSL Mets Orange. Overall, he slashed .293/.411/.467 with 10 doubles, 5 triples, 3 home runs, 19 stolen bases (25 attempts), and a remarkable 33 walks to 31 strikeouts. With the Mets’ DSL team, he posted an exceptional .422/.536/.711 line over 13 games, with 11 walks and just 4 strikeouts, showcasing his elite plate discipline.

2024 (Florida Complex League): In his stateside debut with the FCL Mets, Rodríguez played 50 games, hitting .282/.355/.400 with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 3 home runs, 17 stolen bases (25 attempts), and 21 walks to 37 strikeouts. He was the second-youngest player in the league, with a 17.1% strikeout rate, one of the lowest among players 17 or younger in stateside complex ball.

2025 (Single-A St. Lucie): Rodríguez started the 2025 season with Low-A St. Lucie, where he’s continued to impress. On July 6, 2025, he had a season-high three hits in a game, as noted by MLB.com.

Playing Style and Skills

Offense:              Rodríguez is a contact-oriented hitter with a smooth, compact left-handed swing. His elite plate discipline (1.06 BB/K ratio in 2023 DSL) and ability to recognize pitches allow him to spray line drives across the field. While his power is currently gap-to-gap, with an average exit velocity of 83.6 mph in the DSL, his athletic frame suggests room for added strength as he matures. His plus speed (19 SB in 2023, 17 in 2024) makes him a threat on the basepaths.

Defense:              Primarily a shortstop, Rodríguez has the tools to stay at the position long-term, including an above-average to plus arm, quick reactions, soft hands, and smooth fielding actions. In 2024, he played 37 games at shortstop, 10 at second base, and 3 at third base, with 17 errors, typical for a young infielder still developing. Scouts believe he could remain at shortstop but has the versatility to play other infield positions.

 

Baseball IQ:        Rodríguez’s high baseball IQ is evident in his plate discipline and baserunning, where he leverages his speed effectively (17/25 SB in 2024). His advanced approach for his age sets him apart.

Prospect Outlook

Rodríguez is lauded for his high ceiling, combining defensive potential at a premium position with a polished offensive game. FanGraphs compares his skill set to high school infielders selected in the first round of the MLB Draft, highlighting his upside. His ETA to the majors is projected for 2027 or 2028, depending on his development. He’s expected to start the 2025 season at Low-A St. Lucie, with potential to move to High-A if he continues progressing.

Analysis

Rodríguez’s combination of contact hitting, elite plate discipline, speed, and defensive tools makes him a standout prospect. His performance after joining the Mets in 2023 suggests he thrives in their system, and his 2024 FCL stats show he’s adapting well to stateside ball despite being younger than most peers. The Pham trade is increasingly seen as a coup for the Mets, with Rodríguez potentially becoming a cornerstone player if he maintains his trajectory. However, his power development and defensive consistency will be key areas to watch as he faces tougher competition.


4 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Jeremy Rodriguez is hitting .211 for St Lucie this year, where Guzman seems to have no problem hitting. Amparo has slowed a bit but doing real well.

Syracuse, Binghamton and Lucie have been blistering hot.

Brooklyn lost Benge, Reimer and Suero to promotion and after that,lately, can’t hit a lick and have lost a lot. One hit for the Cyclones yesterday.

Rds 900. said...

Maybe Lindor's replacement is not far away.

Mack Ade said...

That's okay about the Clones going in the tank

As I said on the earlier post, producing prospects should never be held back regardless of current team's wants or needs

Mack Ade said...

I'll tell you this...

His hitting is in a slump but his defense is regressive