Angels Surprisingly Calling Up Top Shortstop Prospect: Report

Feb 28, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the Los Angeles Angels logo on a hat in the dugout during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels are calling up No. 9 prospect Denzer Guzman ahead of their third game of a four-game series against the Seattle Mariners, per Mike Rodriguez.

Guzman, a shortstop, has played all around the infield this season, however after Zach Neto's absence from the lineup he may come up as an immediate replacement.

Según mis fuentes, el prospecto dominicano Denzer Guzmán, campocorto, ha sido llamado a las Grandes Ligas por los Angels. #DenzerGuzman #Angels pic.twitter.com/JhY2qxVW7z

— Mike Rodriguez (@mikedeportes) September 13, 2025

The 21-year-old began the season with Double-A Rocket City, where he played 93 games. He had 11 home runs with the Trash Pandas, posting a .242/.334/.415 slash line at that level. He also cut down on his strikeout rate in Double-A, shaving his 2024 mark of 30.4 percent in Double-A to 23.8 percent in 2025.

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The Halos promoted Guzman to Triple-A in a huge minor league overhaul at the beginning of August, and he hit the ground running in Salt Lake. He had a hit in five of his first six games with the Bees, and four of those were multi-hit performances. He has ripped the cover off the ball in the Pacific Coast League, crushing six homers and posting an .820 OPS through 36 games.

The Angels signed Guzman as an international free agent in 2021, and have sent him through every level in their minor league system since 2022.While Guzman may start at short while Zach Neto is out, that won't be his permanent home in this team.

Both Luis Rengifo and Yoan Moncada will most likely leave in the offseason, presenting Guzman with a golden opportunity to insert himself into the major league roster if he finds success during his time with the Angels.

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MLB's scouting report on Guzman profiles him as an above average defender with solid upside with the bat, and the Halos will hope to tap into some of that potential during his stint in MLB, however long it may be.

"One thing that continues to trend upwards is Guzman’s defense," the scouting report reads. "He’s really improved at shortstop with a plus arm, good hands and instincts, and the talk of him possibly outgrowing the position has died down. His glove work gives him a floor of getting to the big leagues as as defensive-minded utility type. He's playing at age 21 for all of the 2025 season, so there’s time for him to tap into that offensive upside the Angels were betting on when they signed him, and that could make him a regular at shortstop in the big leagues."

For more Angels news, head over to Angels on SI.