Javier Guerra

Javier Alexis Guerra [gayr'rah] (born September 25, 1995) is a Panamanian professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). Guerra began his career as an infielder, reaching MLB as such in 2018, but converted to pitching in 2019.

Career as an infielder

Guerra signed as a shortstop with the Boston Red Sox as an international free agent in 2012, coming to terms on a contract calling for a reported signing bonus of $250,000. At the time Guerra drew mixed reviews for his defense because he had fringy speed, but he showed a very quick first step and excellent range to both sides. He had very soft but quick hands and was assured in the field, which complemented his arm, perhaps the strongest in the Red Sox system.

Guerra made his professional debut with the Rookie league Dominican Summer League Red Sox in 2013, hitting .248/.356/.290 with nine doubles and 23 runs batted in in 60 games. He then played for the Rookie league Gulf Coast Red Sox in 2014, batting .269/.286/.408 with two home runs and 26 RBI in the Gulf Coast League.

He had a breakout season with the Class A Greenville Drive in 2015, where he displayed highlight-reel defensive plays at shortstop with the ability to drive the ball. Guerra put up a .279/.329/.449 slash line with 68 RBI, along with 23 doubles, three triples and 15 home runs in a career-high 116 games, while earning a selection to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game. In addition, Guerra ranked among the best hitters in the Red Sox system, ending second in home runs, third in RBI and total bases (195), fourth in slugging (.449) and fifth in runs scored (64). On defense, he made 27 errors at shortstop, and had a .954 fielding percentage.

On November 13, 2015, the Red Sox traded Guerra, Carlos Asuaje, Manuel Margot, and Logan Allen to the San Diego Padres for Craig Kimbrel. He spent 2016 with the Class A-Advanced Lake Elsinore Storm, where he batted .202/.264/.325 with nine home runs and 41 RBIs in 105 games, as on defense he made 30 errors at shortstop and had a .940 fielding percentage. The Padres added him to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season.

He spent 2017 with Lake Elsinore and the Class AA San Antonio Missions, batting .222/.266/.349 with nine home runs and 53 RBIs in 128 games between both teams. He began 2018 with the Class AAA El Paso Chihuahuas, for whom he batted .223/.269/.398 in 122 games. Through 2018, in 582 minor league games he had batted .237/.290/.374, while playing nearly all the games at shortstop.

Guerra was called up to the majors for the first time on May 4, 2018 and made his MLB debut that night. In 16 at-bats in 2018 with the Padres, he batted .125 with one RBI.

Conversion to pitcher

During 2019 spring training, Guerra was converted into a relief pitcher. Guerra opened the season on the injured list due to an oblique injury. After being activated, he was assigned to Lake Elsinore. He was promoted to the Amarillo Sod Poodles on August 20. On September 1, Guerra was promoted to the major leagues as a pitcher for the first time.