Junior Guerra

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Guerra [ghe'-ra] and the second or maternal family name is Maurera [mo-reh'-ra].
Junior Guerra
Guerra with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos – No. 41
Pitcher
Born: (1985-01-16) January 16, 1985 (age 39)
San Felix, Bolivar, Venezuela
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 12, 2015, for the Chicago White Sox
MLB statistics
(through 2021 season)
Win–loss record31–25
Earned run average4.06
Strikeouts465
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Junior José Guerra Maurera (born January 16, 1985) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Los Angeles Angels. He was originally signed by the Atlanta Braves in 2001.

Guerra is notable for his development of a split-finger fastball, a pitch which he learned while playing in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League and ultimately led to his 2015 rise to the MLB. Guerra said of the pitch in 2017, "I have no idea where I would be without it."[1]

Career

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Early years

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In October 2001, the Atlanta Braves signed the then 16 year old Guerra, as an international free agent out of Venezuela, to play as a catcher. After being converted to a pitcher in 2006,[2] he was released by the Braves and signed with the New York Mets in 2008, where he gained traction but failed a PED test in 2009.[3]

In 2010, he signed with Sant Boi of the Spanish División de Honor de Béisbol in Sant Boi de Llobregat.[4] Guerra spent some time at first base en route to winning a championship in the league.[5] The following season, Guerra returned to the United States where he played for the independent Wichita Wingnuts.[6] He spent 2012 with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League before returning to Wichita in 2013.[7][8] In 2014, he pitched for San Marino of the Italian Baseball League, winning eight games and putting up an earned run average of 1.29 en route to winning the European Cup.[9] Guerra played each winter from 2008 to 2015 with the Tiburones de La Guaira of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League in order to stay on the radars of MLB scouts.[3][8] Before the 2015 season, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.[3]

Chicago White Sox

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Guerra was called up to the majors for the first time on June 7, 2015.[10] He made his major league debut a few days later on June 12, and pitched in a total of three games with the White Sox.

Milwaukee Brewers

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On October 7, 2015, Guerra was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers as the first roster move of general manager David Stearns.[11] The Brewers chose to make him a starting pitcher rather than a reliever.

2016

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Guerra experienced success in his first season with the Brewers, posting a 9–3 pitching record and a 2.81 ERA over 20 games. His rookie season, at the age of 31, resulted in accolades including the BBWAA naming Guerra the Brewers' Most Valuable Pitcher of 2016.[12]

A shoulder injury kept Guerra out of play in August 2016 and forced him to skip winter league baseball in the 2016–17 offseason.[13] Despite that, Guerra earned his spot in the rotation with a consistent 2016 season in the majors.[14]

2017

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On April 3, 2017, Guerra was the starting pitcher for the Brewers on Opening Day.[15] He left after three innings with a strained right calf, an injury suffered while bunting in the 3rd inning.[16]

Guerra did not return for the Brewers until late May and struggled to return to his 2016 form. He posted a 5.85 ERA in June, and was subsequently optioned to the minor leagues.[17] Guerra returned but finished his season with a disappointing 1–4 record and career-worst 5.12 ERA in 21 games.[18]

2018

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The Brewers hoped Guerra could return to his 2016 season form for 2018, and Guerra did have mostly successful outings in 2018 at the beginning of the season. On May 30, 2018, Guerra pitched six shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals and allowed no walks.[19] Guerra avoided the major injury problems that plagued him in prior seasons, appearing in a then-career best 31 games, but finished the 2018 campaign with a 6–9 record and a 4.09 ERA.

2019

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Guerra was transitioned to a relief role for the 2019 season and led the National League in relief innings pitched at 83+2⁄3. Guerra appeared in 72 games for Milwaukee, securing a 9–5 record and 3.55 ERA, while also notching the first three saves of his career.[20]

Guerra was non-tendered on December 2, 2019, and became a free agent.[21]

Arizona Diamondbacks

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On December 9, 2019, Guerra signed a one-year contract, with a club option, with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[22] On July 5, 2020, it was announced that Guerra had tested positive for COVID-19.[23] On November 20, 2020, Guerra was designated for assignment.[24] On November 23, Guerra was released by the Diamondbacks.[25] In 25 games for Arizona, he was 1–2 with a 3.04 ERA in 23+2⁄3 innings.

Los Angeles Angels

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On January 30, 2021, Guerra signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization and was invited to Spring Training.[26] On March 16, 2021, the Angels selected Guerra's contract to the 40-man roster.[27] Guerra made 41 appearances for the Angels in 2021, struggling to a 6.06 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 65.1 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment following the season on November 16, 2021.[28] He was released by the Angels three days later.[29]

Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos

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On March 8, 2022, Guerra signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League.[30] Guerra started 16 games for Dos Laredos in 2022, pitching to an 8–3 record and 3.56 ERA with 87 strikeouts in 83+1⁄3 innings of work. On February 3, 2023, Guerra was released by the team after undergoing elbow surgery.[31]

On January 8, 2024, Guerra re–signed with the Tecolotes after a season of inactivity.[32] In 20 games (18 starts) for the team, he posted a 7–5 record and 5.61 ERA with 76 strikeouts across 85 innings pitched.

International career

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Guerra pitched for Venezuela in the 2009 Baseball World Cup.[4]

On October 29, 2018, he was selected to play for the MLB All-Stars at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.[33]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ McCalvy, Adam (March 1, 2017). "Guerra, HOFer Fingers boosted by splitter". jsonline.com. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  2. ^ Lesniewski, Kyle (June 23, 2016). "The Ascension of Junior Guerra". Brew Crew Ball. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Haudricourt, Tom (May 2, 2016). "Milwaukee latest stop in baseball odyssey for Junior Guerra". Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "CB Sant Boi adds Junior Guerra, Ruben Fente, announces 2010 Roster". Mister Baseball. No. June 9, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  5. ^ "CB Sant Boi wins 2010 Championship in Spanish Division de Honor". Mister Baseball. July 11, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  6. ^ "Breaking down the Wingnuts". The Wichita Eagle. Kansas.com. May 14, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  7. ^ "T&A San Marino signs Venezuelan righty, Junior Guerra". Federazione Italiana Baseball e Softball. January 21, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Junior Guerra Minor, Winter, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  9. ^ "Jair Jurrjens, Junior Guerra sign with MLB Organizations". Mister Baseball. November 11, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  10. ^ "White Sox Place Dan Jennings On DL, Call Up Junior Guerra". June 7, 2015.
  11. ^ "Brewers claim pitcher Junior Guerra off waivers from White Sox". Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  12. ^ Haudricourt, Tom. "Braun voted Brewers MVP for 2016 season". jsonline.com. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  13. ^ BRIAN M. BERGNER JR. "Brewers: Zach Davies, Junior Guerra look forward to new year". madison.com. Associated Press. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  14. ^ "Brewers by position: Rotation will shake out during camp". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  15. ^ L, Jaymes (March 18, 2017). "Milwaukee Brewers name Junior Guerra Opening Day starter". Brew Crew Ball. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  16. ^ Armas, Genaro (April 3, 2017). "Rockies win in debuts of Black, Holland, beat Brewers 7-5". AP News. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  17. ^ @BrewersFanJP, JP (October 9, 2017). "The 2017 Milwaukee Brewers season in review: A Pleasant Surprise". brewcrewball.com. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  18. ^ Staff, Baseball Reference (2021). "Junior Guerra". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  19. ^ Haudricourt, Tom (May 31, 2018). "Quietly yet efficiently, Junior Guerra has re-emerged as a force in Brewers' rotation". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  20. ^ Staff, MLB.com (2021). "Junior Guerra". MLB.com. Retrieved July 10, 2021.
  21. ^ Tom Haudricourt (December 2, 2019). "The Brewers opt not to tender 2020 contracts to Shaw, Nelson, Claudio, Guerra and Saladino". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  22. ^ Sarah Langs (December 9, 2019). "D-backs, Guerra agree on 1-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  23. ^ "Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Junior Guerra, Silvino Bracho test positive for COVID-19". The Arizona Republic. July 5, 2020. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  24. ^ "Diamondbacks Designate Junior Guerra". November 20, 2020.
  25. ^ "Junior Guerra Stats, Fantasy & News". MLB.com.
  26. ^ "Angels to Sign Junior Guerra to Minor-League Deal". January 30, 2021.
  27. ^ "Angels Select Junior Guerra, Option Brandon Marsh". March 16, 2021.
  28. ^ "Angels' Junior Guerra: DFA'd by Halos". November 17, 2021.
  29. ^ "Angels released Junior Guerra to make room for Noah Syndergaard". November 17, 2021.
  30. ^ "JUNIOR GUERRA SE SUMA A LA ROTACIÓN DE ABRIDORES DE TECOLOTES". tecolotes2laredos.com (in Spanish). March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  31. ^ "Tecolotes: Anthony Vizcaya se suma al bullpen de los Dos Laredos".
  32. ^ "LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 08 de enero de 2024". milb.com. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  33. ^ "2018日米野球 MLBオールスターチーム コーチ・出場予定選手発表". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). October 29, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
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