Two of the Padres’ top pitching prospects — MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patino — are advancing to the California League for the first time. Javy Guerra is returning … as a pitcher.
Once billed as the Padres’ shortstop of the future, the 23-year-old’s struggles at the plate have led to an attempt to find a future on the mound.
On the 40-man roster, Guerra was a gifted defender with an highly graded arm. But he struck out in 47.4 percent of his at-bats as a pro and hit .223/.269/.398 last year at Triple-A El Paso.
Guerra was also 2-for-16 last September as a call-up with the Padres and was in big league camp this spring as a shortstop.