Junior Guerra
{{short description|Venezuelan baseball player (born 1985)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Guerra [ghe'-ra]|Maurera [mo-reh'-ra]|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name = Junior Guerra
|image = Junior Guerra (cropped).jpg
|caption = Guerra with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018
|width = 266
|team = Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos
|number = 41
|position = Pitcher
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|1|16}}
|birth_place = San Felix, Bolivar, Venezuela
|bats = Right
|throws = Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate = June 12
|debutyear = 2015
|debutteam = Chicago White Sox
|statyear = 2021 season
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label = Win–loss record
|stat1value = 31–25
|stat2label = Earned run average
|stat2value = 4.06
|stat3label = Strikeouts
|stat3value = 465
|teams =
- Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2015}})
- Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2019}})
- Arizona Diamondbacks ({{mlby|2020}})
- Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2021}})
}}
Junior José Guerra Maurera (born January 16, 1985) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Los Angeles Angels. He was originally signed by the Atlanta Braves in 2001.
Guerra is notable for his development of a split-finger fastball, a pitch which he learned while playing in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League and ultimately led to his 2015 rise to the MLB. Guerra said of the pitch in 2017, "I have no idea where I would be without it."{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/junior-guerra-rollie-fingers-fans-of-splitter-c217563888|title=Guerra, HOFer Fingers boosted by splitter|last=McCalvy|first=Adam|date=2017-03-01|newspaper=jsonline.com|access-date=2021-07-10}}
Career
= Early years =
In October 2001, the Atlanta Braves signed the then 16 year old Guerra, as an international free agent out of Venezuela, to play as a catcher. After being converted to a pitcher in 2006,{{Cite web|url=http://www.brewcrewball.com/2016/6/23/12011804/the-ascension-of-junior-guerra|title=The Ascension of Junior Guerra|last=Lesniewski|first=Kyle|date=2016-06-23|website=Brew Crew Ball|access-date=2017-02-16}} he was released by the Braves and signed with the New York Mets in 2008, where he gained traction but failed a PED test in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://archive.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/milwaukee-latest-stop-in-baseball-odyssey-for-junior-guerra-b99716936z1-377825621.html/|title=Milwaukee latest stop in baseball odyssey for Junior Guerra|first=Tom|last= Haudricourt|date=May 2, 2016|access-date=October 17, 2018|work=Journal Sentinel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017234730/http://archive.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/milwaukee-latest-stop-in-baseball-odyssey-for-junior-guerra-b99716936z1-377825621.html/|url-status=live|archive-date=October 17, 2018}}
In 2010, he signed with Sant Boi of the Spanish División de Honor de Béisbol in Sant Boi de Llobregat.{{cite news |title=CB Sant Boi adds Junior Guerra, Ruben Fente, announces 2010 Roster |url=https://www.mister-baseball.com/cb-sant-boi-adds-junior-guerra-ruben-fente-announces-2010-roster/ |access-date=3 January 2021 |work=Mister Baseball |issue=June 9, 2015}} Guerra spent some time at first base en route to winning a championship in the league.{{cite news |title=CB Sant Boi wins 2010 Championship in Spanish Division de Honor |url=https://www.mister-baseball.com/cb-sant-boi-wins-2010-championship-spanish-division-de-honor/ |access-date=3 January 2021 |work=Mister Baseball |date=July 11, 2010}} The following season, Guerra returned to the United States where he played for the independent Wichita Wingnuts.{{cite news |title=Breaking down the Wingnuts |url=https://www.kansas.com/sports/other-sports/wichita-wingnuts/article1115364.html |access-date=3 January 2021 |work=The Wichita Eagle |publisher=Kansas.com |date=May 14, 2013}} He spent 2012 with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League before returning to Wichita in 2013.{{cite news |title=T&A San Marino signs Venezuelan righty, Junior Guerra |url=https://www.fibs.it/en/news/32543-t-a-san-marino-signs-venezuelan-righty,-junior-guerra.html |access-date=3 January 2021 |publisher=Federazione Italiana Baseball e Softball |date=January 21, 2014}} In 2014, he pitched for San Marino of the Italian Baseball League, winning eight games and putting up an earned run average of 1.29 en route to winning the European Cup.{{cite news |title=Jair Jurrjens, Junior Guerra sign with MLB Organizations |url=https://www.mister-baseball.com/jair-jurrjens-junior-guerra-sign-mlb-organizations/ |access-date=3 January 2021 |work=Mister Baseball |date=November 11, 2014}} Guerra played each winter from 2008 to 2015 with the Tiburones de La Guaira of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League in order to stay on the radars of MLB scouts.{{cite web |title=Junior Guerra Minor, Winter, Independent & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=guerra001jun |website=Baseball-Reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=3 January 2021 |language=en}} Before the 2015 season, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.
= Chicago White Sox =
Guerra was called up to the majors for the first time on June 7, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/06/07/sox-place-dan-jennings-on-dl-call-up-junior-guerra/|title=White Sox Place Dan Jennings On DL, Call Up Junior Guerra|date=7 June 2015}} He made his major league debut a few days later on June 12, and pitched in a total of three games with the White Sox.
= Milwaukee Brewers =
On October 7, 2015, Guerra was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers as the first roster move of general manager David Stearns.{{Cite news|url=http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/331117601.html|title=Brewers claim pitcher Junior Guerra off waivers from White Sox|access-date=2017-02-16|language=en}} The Brewers chose to make him a starting pitcher rather than a reliever.
==2016==
Guerra experienced success in his first season with the Brewers, posting a 9–3 pitching record and a 2.81 ERA over 20 games. His rookie season, at the age of 31, resulted in accolades including the BBWAA naming Guerra the Brewers' Most Valuable Pitcher of 2016.{{Cite news|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2016/10/10/braun-voted-brewers-mvp-2016-season/91845576/|title=Braun voted Brewers MVP for 2016 season|last=Haudricourt|first=Tom|newspaper=jsonline.com|access-date=2021-07-10|language=en}}
A shoulder injury kept Guerra out of play in August 2016 and forced him to skip winter league baseball in the 2016–17 offseason.{{Cite news|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/sports/baseball/professional/brewers-zach-davies-junior-guerra-look-forward-to-new-year/article_a889e17f-996a-563d-9da7-25ab652f8af7.html|title=Brewers: Zach Davies, Junior Guerra look forward to new year|author=BRIAN M. BERGNER JR.|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=madison.com|access-date=2017-02-16|language=en}} Despite that, Guerra earned his spot in the rotation with a consistent 2016 season in the majors.{{Cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2017/02/14/brewers-position-rotation-shake-out-during-camp/97871192/|title=Brewers by position: Rotation will shake out during camp|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|access-date=2017-02-16|language=en}}
==2017==
On April 3, 2017, Guerra was the starting pitcher for the Brewers on Opening Day.{{Cite web|url=http://www.brewcrewball.com/2017/3/18/14968010/milwaukee-brewers-name-junior-guerra-opening-day-starter|title=Milwaukee Brewers name Junior Guerra Opening Day starter|last=L|first=Jaymes|date=2017-03-18|website=Brew Crew Ball|access-date=2017-04-06}} He left after three innings with a strained right calf, an injury suffered while bunting in the 3rd inning.{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/51a2fef436394e70aa83a2d85293c0e5/Rockies-win-in-debuts-of-Black,-Holland,-beat-Brewers-7-5|title=Rockies win in debuts of Black, Holland, beat Brewers 7-5|last=Armas|first=Genaro|date=2017-04-03|work=AP News|access-date=2017-04-06|language=en-US}}
Guerra did not return for the Brewers until late May and struggled to return to his 2016 form. He posted a 5.85 ERA in June, and was subsequently optioned to the minor leagues.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brewcrewball.com/2017/10/9/16427268/the-2017-milwaukee-brewers-season-in-review-a-pleasant-surprise|title=The 2017 Milwaukee Brewers season in review: A Pleasant Surprise|last=@BrewersFanJP|first=JP |date=2017-10-09|website=brewcrewball.com|access-date=2021-07-10|language=en}} Guerra returned but finished his season with a disappointing 1–4 record and career-worst 5.12 ERA in 21 games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/guerrju02.shtml|title=Junior Guerra|last=Staff|first=Baseball Reference|date=2021|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=2021-07-10|language=en}}
==2018==
The Brewers hoped Guerra could return to his 2016 season form for 2018, and Guerra did have mostly successful outings in 2018 at the beginning of the season. On May 30, 2018, Guerra pitched six shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals and allowed no walks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2018/05/31/junior-guerra-has-re-emerged-force-brewers-starting-rotation/658322002/|title=Quietly yet efficiently, Junior Guerra has re-emerged as a force in Brewers' rotation|last=Haudricourt|first=Tom| website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=2018-05-31|access-date=2021-07-10}} Guerra avoided the major injury problems that plagued him in prior seasons, appearing in a then-career best 31 games, but finished the 2018 campaign with a 6–9 record and a 4.09 ERA.
==2019==
Guerra was transitioned to a relief role for the 2019 season and led the National League in relief innings pitched at {{frac|83|2|3}}. Guerra appeared in 72 games for Milwaukee, securing a 9–5 record and 3.55 ERA, while also notching the first three saves of his career.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/junior-guerra-448855|title=Junior Guerra|last=Staff|first=MLB.com|date=2021|website=MLB.com|access-date=2021-07-10|language=en}}
Guerra was non-tendered on December 2, 2019, and became a free agent.{{cite web|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2019/12/02/brewers-dont-tender-contracts-shaw-nelson-claudio-and-guerra/4350473002/|title=The Brewers opt not to tender 2020 contracts to Shaw, Nelson, Claudio, Guerra and Saladino|author=Tom Haudricourt|website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=December 2, 2019}}
=Arizona Diamondbacks=
On December 9, 2019, Guerra signed a one-year contract, with a club option, with the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/news/junior-guerra-d-backs-deal|title=D-backs, Guerra agree on 1-year deal|website=MLB.com|author=Sarah Langs|date=December 9, 2019|access-date=December 9, 2019}} On July 5, 2020, it was announced that Guerra had tested positive for COVID-19.{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2020/07/05/diamondbacks-junior-guerra-silvino-bracho-test-positive-covid-19/5382108002/|title=Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers Junior Guerra, Silvino Bracho test positive for COVID-19|publisher=The Arizona Republic|date=July 5, 2020|access-date=July 7, 2020}} On November 20, 2020, Guerra was designated for assignment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/diamondbacks-designate-junior-guerra.html|title = Diamondbacks Designate Junior Guerra| date=20 November 2020 }} On November 23, Guerra was released by the Diamondbacks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/junior-guerra-448855|title = Junior Guerra Stats, Fantasy & News|website = MLB.com}} In 25 games for Arizona, he was 1–2 with a 3.04 ERA in {{frac|23|2|3}} innings.
=Los Angeles Angels=
On January 30, 2021, Guerra signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization and was invited to Spring Training.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/angels-to-sign-junior-guerra-to-minor-league-deal.html|title=Angels to Sign Junior Guerra to Minor-League Deal|date=30 January 2021 }} On March 16, 2021, the Angels selected Guerra's contract to the 40-man roster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/03/angels-select-junior-guerra-option-brandon-marsh.html|title = Angels Select Junior Guerra, Option Brandon Marsh| date=16 March 2021 }} Guerra made 41 appearances for the Angels in 2021, struggling to a 6.06 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 65.1 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment following the season on November 16, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-junior-guerra-dfad-by-halos/|title = Angels' Junior Guerra: DFA'd by Halos| date=17 November 2021 }} He was released by the Angels three days later.{{Cite web|url=https://chicagotoday.news/sports/angels-released-junior-guerra-to-make-room-for-noah-syndergaard/|title = Angels released Junior Guerra to make room for Noah Syndergaard|date = 17 November 2021}}
=Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos=
On March 8, 2022, Guerra signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League.{{cite web|url=https://tecolotes2laredos.com/junior-guerra-se-suma-a-la-rotacion-de-abridores-de-tecolotes/|title=JUNIOR GUERRA SE SUMA A LA ROTACIÓN DE ABRIDORES DE TECOLOTES|work=tecolotes2laredos.com|date=8 March 2022|language=Spanish|access-date=9 March 2022}} Guerra started 16 games for Dos Laredos in 2022, pitching to an 8–3 record and 3.56 ERA with 87 strikeouts in {{fraction|83|1|3}} innings of work. On February 3, 2023, Guerra was released by the team after undergoing elbow surgery.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/tecolotes-anthony-vizcaya-se-suma-al-bullpen-de-los-dos-laredos | title=Tecolotes: Anthony Vizcaya se suma al bullpen de los Dos Laredos }}
On January 8, 2024, Guerra re–signed with the Tecolotes after a season of inactivity.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 08 de enero de 2024|url=https://www.milb.com/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-08-de-enero-de-2024|access-date=January 14, 2024|website=milb.com|language=en}} In 20 games (18 starts) for the team, he posted a 7–5 record and 5.61 ERA with 76 strikeouts across 85 innings pitched.
International career
Guerra pitched for Venezuela in the 2009 Baseball World Cup.
On October 29, 2018, he was selected to play for the MLB All-Stars at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.{{cite web | url=http://www.japan-baseball.jp/jp/news/press/20181029_5.html | title=2018日米野球 MLBオールスターチーム コーチ・出場予定選手発表 | work=野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト | language=ja | date=October 29, 2018 | access-date=December 5, 2018 }}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{baseballstats|mlb=448855|espn=34241|br=g/guerrju02|fangraphs=5702|brm=guerra001jun|retro=G/Pguerj003}}
- [http://www.pelotabinaria.tk/beisbol/mostrar.php?ID=guerjun001 Pelota Binaria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227121825/http://www.pelotabinaria.tk/beisbol/mostrar.php?ID=guerjun001 |date=2017-12-27 }}
- [http://www.rfebs.es/estadisticas/2010/liga/beisbol/lgplyrs.htm Spanish Baseball Statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908112230/http://www.rfebs.es/estadisticas/2010/liga/beisbol/lgplyrs.htm |date=2015-09-08 }}
- {{Twitter|name=Junior Guerra}}
- {{Instagram|juni1685}}
{{Milwaukee Brewers Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Guerra, Junior}}
Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players
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Category:Kingsport Mets players
Category:Leones de Yucatán players
Category:Los Angeles Angels players
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers
Category:Major League Baseball players from Venezuela
Category:21st-century Venezuelan sportsmen
Category:Mexican League baseball pitchers
Category:Milwaukee Brewers players
Category:Baseball players from Bolívar (state)
Category:Savannah Sand Gnats players
Category:St. Lucie Mets players
Category:T & A San Marino players
Category:Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos players
Category:Tiburones de La Guaira players
Category:Venezuela national baseball team players
Category:Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in Mexico
Category:Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in the United States
Category:Venezuelan expatriate baseball players in San Marino