WEST SACRAMENTO -- Things are starting to click for rookie Denzer Guzman.
The 22-year-old has been heating up at the plate after a slow start and crushed a game-tying, three-run blast in the eighth inning on Sunday afternoon, marking his third straight game with a homer. It opened the door for Zach Neto to hit a go-ahead two-run shot in the ninth inning to lead the Angels to a 9-7 win over the Athletics at Sutter Health Park.
“His comfort level, it looks like he’s settling in,” manager Kurt Suzuki said of Guzman. “He puts in the work, and he looks like he belongs. It’s nice to see him get results and all the hard work that he's put in. He's a great teammate, hard worker, so it’s fun to watch him right now.”
Guzman changed the game with one swing, as he jumped all over a 1-1 changeup from lefty reliever Hogan Harris, smacking it a Statcast-projected 416 feet over the center-field fence. And Neto came through with a two-run blast on an 0-1 fastball from right-hander Elvis Alvarado, depositing it a projected 391 feet to left. It was also the fourth homer in six games for Neto, who is red-hot like Guzman.
“It’s always fun hitting a game-winning homer or any big hit, not only for me but for everybody in this clubhouse,” Neto said. “But it's so fun to watch [Guzman]. We all knew what he came with; it was just a matter of him finally settling in and just being able to be himself. That's what we preach about and tell him every single day, just be yourself.”
Guzman, ranked as the club’s No. 7 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was called up on June 8 to take over as the club’s regular third baseman after putting up eye-popping numbers with Triple-A Salt Lake. But he went hitless in his first 12 at-bats before coming through with two hits against the Rays on June 12.
Since then, Guzman has been on a tear, as he’s batted .324/.395/.618 with three homers, a double and 10 RBIs over his last nine games. He also became the first Angels rookie to go deep in three straight games since Jared Walsh homered in four consecutive games from Sept. 8-12, 2020.
“What clicked for me was looking for my pitch,” Guzman said through interpreter Manny Del Campo. “Just concentrate on good pitches because before I was swinging at everything. But now I’m focused on the good pitches. That’s what is important for me.”
It’s the second stint in the Majors for Guzman, but he’s carried himself with more confidence this time around and looks much more comfortable. Last September, he batted .190/.209/.357 with two homers, a double and three RBIs in 13 games. But he earned his way back to the big leagues this year after he slashed .336/.403/.571 with 12 homers, 16 doubles and 57 RBIs in 58 games with Triple-A Salt Lake.
“I have 100 percent more confidence,” Guzman said. “I know I belong here, I prepared for that, and I worked for that and here are the results.”
Guzman helped spark a three-run rally in the second with a single after lefty Reid Detmers gave up four runs in the first, as Detmers uncharacteristically walked three batters in a row. Guzman came around to score on a three-run blast from Donovan Walton, who recorded his sixth straight game with an extra-base hit.
He also walked in the sixth but was caught stealing in a close play at second base. But he came through in a big way with his game-changing blast in the eighth to help make up for it.
The Angels have plenty of arms in their farm system, as 17 of their Top 30 prospects (and six of their Top 10) are pitchers, so the development of Guzman is critical for the organization. He’s a natural shortstop playing third base with Neto entrenched at shortstop, but his defense at third is improving along with his power.
A’s manager Mark Kotsay couldn’t help but take notice of Guzman this series and was impressed by the youngster. Third base has been an issue for the Angels in recent years but Guzman looks like he could be part of a much-needed solution at the position.
"Talented young kid,” Kotsay said. “Really impressive series for him, both offensively and defensively. I think they've found a third baseman that has a future over there."