Taylor Guerrieri Explained

Taylor Guerrieri
Team:High Point Rockers
Number:21
Position:Pitcher
Birth Date:1 December 1992
Birth Place:Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:September 1
Debutyear:2018
Debutteam:Toronto Blue Jays
Statleague:MLB
Statyear:2019 season
Stat1label:Win–loss record
Stat1value:0–0
Stat2label:Earned run average
Stat2value:5.50
Stat3label:Strikeouts
Stat3value:35
Teams:

Christopher Taylor Guerrieri (born December 1, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers.

Career

Tampa Bay Rays

Guerrieri attended Spring Valley High School in Columbia, South Carolina. He committed to attend the University of South Carolina on a college baseball scholarship.[1] The Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB) selected him in the first round, with the 24th overall selection, of the 2011 MLB draft. He signed with the Rays, receiving a $1.6 million signing bonus. He pitched for the Hudson Valley Renegades of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League, pitching to a 1–2 win–loss record and a 1.04 earned run average (ERA) with 45 strikeouts and five walks in 52 innings pitched.[2] Before the 2012 season, MLB.com rated Guerrieri as the 99th best prospect in baseball.[3]

Guerrieri started the 2013 season with a 6–2 win–loss record and a 2.01 ERA in 14 games started with the Bowling Green Hot Rods of the Class A Midwest League. He was chosen to represent the Rays at the 2013 All-Star Futures Game.[4] He reported fatigue in his arm in June and was given two weeks off. C. J. Riefenhauser replaced Guerrieri at the Futures Game.[5] He then lasted only two innings after suffering elbow discomfort in his throwing arm. He underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow on July 24, 2013.[6] He received a 50-game suspension after the 2013 season, which he served while rehabilitating from surgery, for using a substance of abuse.[7] [8]

Guerrieri rehabilitated from his injury, with the expectation of being assigned to a minor league team by mid-May 2015.[9] In May, he made his season debut with the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League.[10] The Rays promoted him to the Montgomery Biscuits of the Class AA Southern League during the season, and added him to their 40-man roster after the season.[11] He spent the 2016 season with Montgomery.[12] Guerrieri was promoted to the Durham Bulls of the Class AAA International League for 2017. After making two starts, he suffered an elbow injury[13] and did not appear in another game.

Toronto Blue Jays

On November 5, 2017, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired Guerrieri on waivers.[14] He pitched for the Buffalo Bisons of the International League in 2018. The Blue Jays promoted him to the major leagues on September 1, 2018.[15] On November 2, Guerrieri cleared waivers and entered free agency.[16]

Texas Rangers

On January 9, 2019, the Texas Rangers signed Guerrieri to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.[17] He was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to open the 2019 season.[18] On July 16, the Rangers selected Guerrieri's contract.[19] Guerrieri was designated for assignment on November 20, 2019.[20] He accepted an outright assignment to Nashville on November 27.[21] Guerrieri elected free agency after the 2020 season on October 1, 2020.

Seattle Mariners

On February 8, 2021, Guerrieri signed a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training with the Seattle Mariners.[22] Guerrieri appeared in 22 games with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, recording a 4.61 ERA with 28 strikeouts. On August 12, 2021, Guerrieri was released by the Mariners.

Philadelphia Phillies

On August 24, 2021, Guerrieri signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He was assigned to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs,[23] where he made 7 appearances and struggled to a 6.48 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 8.1 innings pitched. He elected free agency following the season on November 7.[24]

High Point Rockers

On May 16, 2023, Guerrieri signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[25] In 30 relief outings for the Rockers, he recorded a 4.55 ERA with 30 strikeouts across innings pitched.

On April 15, 2024, Guerrieri re–signed with the Rockers.[26]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Baseball adds two commitments. thestate. April 29, 2015.
  2. Web site: Humbled Guerrieri prepared to fulfill potential. Tampa Bay Rays. May 28, 2015.
  3. Web site: 2012 Prospect Watch | MLB.com: News . Mlb.mlb.com . December 14, 2013.
  4. Web site: Taylor Guerrieri Selected for 2013 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game – Midwest League News. Midwest League. May 28, 2015.
  5. Web site: Riefenhauser throws heat in All-Star Futures Game. Tampa Bay Rays. July 14, 2013 . May 28, 2015.
  6. Web site: Rays top pitching prospect has Tommy John surgery . Tampabay.com . December 14, 2013.
  7. Web site: Tampa Bay Rays minor league pitcher Taylor Guerrieri suspended – ESPN . Espn.go.com . October 18, 2013 . December 14, 2013.
  8. Web site: Humbled Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Taylor Guerrieri ready to bounce back – MiLB.com News – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball. MiLB.com. April 29, 2015.
  9. Web site: Guerrieri: Time lost to injury not time wasted. A. Stacy Long, Montgomery Advertiser. April 1, 2015. The Montgomery Advertiser. April 29, 2015.
  10. Web site: Taylor Guerrieri not as sharp in second start for Stone Crabs. SUNCOAST SPORTS NOW. May 28, 2015.
  11. Web site: Chastain . Bill . Rays add Snell, 5 others to 40-man roster . M.rays.mlb.com . January 20, 2016 . November 6, 2017.
  12. Web site: Chastain . Bill . Taylor Guerrieri talks TJ recovery, growing up | MLB.com . M.rays.mlb.com . January 20, 2016 . November 6, 2017.
  13. Web site: Bob Sutton . Minor League Notes: Prospect leaves Bulls with elbow injury - Sports - The Times-News - Burlington, NC . The Times-News . November 6, 2017.
  14. Web site: Jays claim Guerrieri; outright four players . November 6, 2017 . November 6, 2017 . tsn.ca.
  15. Web site: Toronto Blue Jays . Blue Jays claim Leiter Jr., recall Reid-Foley, Fernandez, Guerrieri . Sportsnet.ca . September 1, 2018 . January 27, 2019.
  16. Web site: Toronto Blue Jays . Blue Jays create 40-man flexibility by clearing five pitchers off roster . Sportsnet.ca . November 2, 2018 . January 27, 2019.
  17. Web site: Texas Rangers: Rangers add former Tampa Bay first-round draft choice to pitching possibilities | SportsDay . Sportsday.dallasnews.com . January 10, 2019. January 27, 2019.
  18. Web site: Sounds Announce Tentative Opening Day Roster . milb.com . March 27, 2019 . April 4, 2019.
  19. Web site: Rangers' Taylor Guerrieri: Promoted to big club. RotoWire Staff. CBS Sports. July 16, 2019. July 16, 2019.
  20. Web site: Rangers add six prospects to 40-man roster, topped by OF Leody Taveras and 3B Sherten Apostel. The Dallas Morning News. Evan Grant. November 20, 2019. November 20, 2019.
  21. Web site: Rangers' Taylor Guerrieri: Accepts outright assignment. CBSSports.com. RotoWire Staff. November 27, 2019. November 27, 2019.
  22. 1358921057986617349. MsPlayerDev. We have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with RHP Taylor Guerrieri and invited him to Major League Spring… . February 8, 2021.
  23. Web site: Taylor Guerrieri Stats, Fantasy & News. MLB.com.
  24. Web site: 2021-22 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams. April 18, 2023. baseballamerica.com. en.
  25. Web site: Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions .
  26. Web site: 2024 Transactions. April 16, 2024. atlanticleague.com. en.