Carlos Guevara

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Diego Padres #20 prospect in 2008
  The Padres were more active during the major league phase of the Rule 5 draft than any other club, adding Guevara (Reds), righthander Michael Gardner (Yankees) and second baseman/outfielder Callix Crabbe (Brewers). All three players would have to remain on the 25-man roster this season, or else they have to clear waivers and be offered back to their original clubs. While that seems like a longshot, San Diego could have room in its bullpen for both Guevara and Gardner. General manager Kevin Towers made it no secret that Guevara was the club's No. 1 target in the Rule 5 draft. Though the Padres didn't select Guevara--the Marlins took him fifth overall--they acquired him after the draft for cash considerations. Guevara repeated Double-A in 2007 despite a solid campaign there the year before, and he was even more impressive the second time around. His fastball, which sits 86-88 mph and touches 90, and curveball are fringe-average offerings, but his screwball gives him a true plus pitch. He learned it in college from from St. Mary's (Texas) pitching coach John Maley, who was a disciple of Mike Marshall's pitching methods. Because Guevara relies on the screwball to strike batters out, some scouts dismiss him as a trick-pitch artist. But because the Padres' track record with other teams' discarded pitchers, such as 2006 Rule 5 pick Kevin Cameron, is so enviable, Guevara seems like a safe bet to crack the Opening Day roster.
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #27 prospect in 2005
  Guevara is a short righthander who went to St. Mary's, where he played with Jesse Gutierrez and helped the team win the 2001 NCAA Division II national championship. Guevara lacks a plus fastball, as his sits in the 87-89 mph range. His curveball is just a decent pitch, clearly his third-best. And he already has had elbow problems, as bone chips sidelined him for much of the 2003 season. But he's on this list because he has a plus screwball that he commands well. St. Mary's pitching coach John Maley was a disciple of Mike Marshall's pitching methods and taught Guevara the pitch, which he took to immediately. It makes hitters swing and miss, and it was the biggest reason that Guevara ranked third among minor league relievers last year with 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings. His build and elbow trouble, plus his reliance on a gimmick pitch, consign him to the bullpen. He probably will open this year as a closer in high Class A.