Player Profile - Dennis Guinn

  
Position: First Base
Hits/Throws: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 6'1''/210
Birthday: 8/2/1985 (Age 23) 
Roster Status: Rule V Eligible after 2011 Season

Background: Guinn came to the Rangers as a 17th round draft pick in this year's draft.  He was signed quickly by scout Guy DeMutis, the scout who covers Florida for the Rangers and is responsible for signing Eric Hurley and Michael Main.  Guinn's reputation entering the Rangers' organization is that of a polished college power hitter.  He entered Florida State from Winter Haven High School, where he led the team to a second place finish in the state playoffs (with the help of teammate Dustin Bamberg, a 34th rounder to the Cubs that year, though he didn't sign).  He was a consistent hitter with some pop in high school, though he flew under the radar enough to not be drafted.  Guinn continued to fly under scouts' radars at Florida State after just getting 11 at-bats his freshman year.  However, he began to be noticed during his sophomore year, where he was the starting first baseman for the Seminoles.  Over the course of that year, he managed to hit .335 with 12 home runs and 69 RBI in 60 games.  He also had a respectable 31-21 strikeout-to-walk ratio.  The knock on Guinn was his defense, where he committed 12 errors in those 60 games in the field, with only a .979 fielding percentage, low for a first baseman.  Had he had a similar year in 2007, his junior year at Florida State, Guinn would have been a draft prospect, though not a high-round one.  However, Guinn struggled with a position move that likely seeped into his performance at the plate.  Playing left field, Guinn suffered a tear to his PCL, and was not himself after a re-aggravation later in the year.  He finished with a .286 average and only 5 home runs and 37 RBI in 45 games.  This disappointment was enough for him to not get drafted and return for his senior year.  Guinn certainly turned around his performance that year, where the Seminoles put him back at first base.  In 68 starts, Guinn finished at .332, with 19 home runs and 76 RBI to his credit.  He did show improved defense, though 10 errors is not especially great.  Overall, he was drafted due to his bat, which showed power potential, and his batting eye.

Tools: Since Guinn has not been in professional baseball for very long, his tools are known more by scouts than outsiders.  As evidenced by his power numbers, he grades out fairly well for raw power.  His ability to hit for average is in doubt, as evidenced by his sophomore year struggles.  He capped out at .335 in college, so a realistic year should be in the .270s at best.  As for fielding, Guinn has shown some struggles over the years.  The error totals have been consistently high, and that has continued at Spokane.  In 29 games at first, he's already committed 5 errors, and he must improve that greatly to even be a pro first baseman.  As of this point, his arm is relatively unknown.  In his sophomore year playing left field for the Seminoles, he did have four outfield assists in 30 starts, but that could be due to a variety of reasons.  His speed is below-average, and he never stole more than four bases in college.  His best chance is to be a smart baserunner, as his speed will not play out against Major League arms. 

Professional Experience: 2008 is his first professional season.

2008 Season: Guinn's transition to pro baseball has been relatively smooth to this point.  As expected, his average has been around .260, and it currently sits at .265.  He is striking out a bit more than in college, but his eye is still playing out, with 17 walks in 30 games, good for a .377 OBP.  He isn't showing too much of his power, but that can be due to many reasons, including the transition from metal to wood bats.  His slugging percentage is .460, and he can easily raise that in the final month of the season.  Overall, his pro debut has been a positive one, as he hasn't struggled too much in translating his skills to pro ball.

Future Outlook: Guinn possibly has a chance to start next year at Bakersfield if he finishes up the year strong.  However, both Mitch Moreland and Mauro Gomez are possibilities for the first base job at Bakersfield next year, so I expect Guinn to be at first base in Clinton to start out the year next year.  If he starts showing his power potential, he can move quickly within a system that is starting to get crowded at first base.  This is pure speculation, but the Rangers could try Guinn back in left field again.  However, in the long run, it's his bat that will get Guinn moved along.  In my opinion, Guinn's ceiling is that of a good pinch-hitter and DH option.  If not, he can be a good organizational soldier until the team finds a space for him.

Profile Coming Tomorrow: LHP Joseph Ortiz

Don't forget to check Rangers Rosters Update for current Ranger roster moves across all affiliations.