Joel Guzmán

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**Joel Guzmán**

Tampa Bay Rays — No. 29
Infielder
Born: November 24, 1984 (1984-11-24) (age 23)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
June 1, 2006 for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Selected MLB statistics (through October 2, 2006)
Batting average	.232
Home runs	0
Runs batted in	7
Teams
Los Angeles Dodgers (2006) Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays (2007)

Irvin Joel Vigo Guzmán (born November 24, 1984 in Quisqueya, Dominican Republic), is an infielder in Major League Baseball who plays in the Tampa Bay Rays minor league system.

Guzmán signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an international free agent on July 2, 2001. He worked his way through the minor leagues, becoming a top prospect. With a jump to the Major League level predicted for the 2006 season, Dodgers manager Grady Little converted Guzmán to left field during spring training. With Rafael Furcal, Cesar Izturis, and Oscar Robles already shortstops on the Dodgers major league roster, the position change was made in an attempt to give Guzmán increased opportunity to play with the Dodgers in 2006.

Guzmán was traded on July 31, 2006 to the Devil Rays with Sergio Pedroza for Julio Lugo. Since, he has made a brief appearance with the Devil Rays, but has spent most of his time with the triple-A Durham Bulls.

[edit] Awards & Honors

No. 35 - MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 - Minor League News
2004 - Los Angeles Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year, Florida State League All-Star SS
2005 - Southern League All-Star SS
Named to the All-Star Futures Game (2004, 2006)