Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Prospect has taken a slithering path
Guerrero braved jungle snakes in Colombia
WEST PALM BEACH — If grandpa says he used to walk for miles to and from school, you may roll your eyes.
When Tayron Guerrero talks about hiking 2 miles through snake-infested jungle as a kid, it’s just an indication of how motivated the Marlins pitching prospect was to play baseball.
“Not a great experience, but that experience was the sacrifice to be here and to work for your dreams to get to the big leagues,” said Guerrero, who at 6 feet, 8 inches is not only the tallest player but the best story in Marlins camp.
It would be difficult to find one with a more unlikely origin who has made it to the major leagues. Guerrero, whose 100-mph fastball is his calling card, is from Isla Tierra Bomba, an island off the coast of Colombia. It’s a day-trip beach destination from Cartagena, accessible only by boat.
Guerrero’s hometown of Bocachica is so remote it has been dubbed “the village tourism forgot.”
No one has a car there. You may encounter wild pigs on the beach but you won’t find a genuine baseball field.
“I always played soccer all my
life. When I was 10 years old some of my friends told me to go play baseball. I was like, no, I’m scared,” said Guerrero, who was coaxed to try it while visiting the mainland and soon found he had an aptitude for baseball.
“One day I was there practicing, and the manager told me, ‘Hey, you’ve got talent, why don’t you come play with us?’ ”
That led to the commutes to Cartagena, where he fell in love with a game in which his live arm was an asset. But the boat on the return trip dropped him in a different part of the island that necessitated those long, perilous treks to get home.
It paid off, as Guerrero reached the majors early last season with the Padres and this month will represent Colombia in the World Baseball Classic.
The hard-throwing right-hander is the only player remaining in the Marlins organization from last season’s ill-fated tradedeadline deal that also brought pitchers Andrew Cashner and (briefly) Colin Rea. He isn’t expected to crack a deep Marlins bullpen but could work his way into a look when an opening arises during the season.
At 26, Guerrero is at the upper end of the prospect range but is regarded as an intriguing talent due to the velocity and downward leverage on his fastball. That, at least, is what he aims for, but command has been an ongoing struggle.
Guerrero, who made one appearance for the Padres before the trade, walked 22 while striking out 51 in 49 2⁄3 innings with three teams in Double-A and Triple-A last season. He did his best work after the trade for the Marlins’ Double-A affiliate at Jacksonville, where he had 15 strikeouts and only three walks in 14 innings and a 1.93 ERA (1.00 WHIP).
Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of Guerrero’s focus on developing his slider into a reliable secondary pitch: “That’s really what separates guys. There’s a ton of guys now that throw really hard. It’s that second pitch that’s the separator, and then being able to change speeds and when to use it.”
“Obviously, big arm,” Mattingly said. “I think with him it’s just a matter of getting command of his fastball. We saw the other day when he really gets on it; the command in the zone wasn’t great that day.”
In his first spring outing, Guerrero walked three in two-thirds of an inning but didn’t allow a run.
“I threw the first game and it wasn’t like very good, but we’re here to keep working,” Guerrero said.
There will be a detour next week as he helps Colombia make its WBC debut in Miami in a firstround matchup against the United States on March 10. The international tournament will be his first experience at Marlins Park, but he hopes to call it home in the future.
“Everybody is excited to get to play for our country,” he said. “I want to get there and play for the Marlins.”
Ellis uncertain for Classic
Catcher A.J. Ellis will stay off the field for a couple of days after straining a hamstring Tuesday. Although the injury shouldn’t be a factor for beginning the regular season, it does jeopardize his participation for Team USA in the WBC.
“He’s obviously worried about us first, but he was excited about being part of the WBC, having a chance to play for his country,” Mattingly said. “We’ll just wait and see. He’s hopeful, we’re hopeful for him. We’ll make the right decision for the club.”
Ichiro close
Mattingly said he expected outfielder Ichiro
Suzuki to resume full baseball activities today and be ready for game action Sunday. Ichiro has been out with a bruised right quadriceps and lower-back soreness since colliding with Brandon Barnes in an outfield drill Feb. 21.