1. Early Life and Background
Alexander Guerrero's early life and professional beginnings were rooted in Cuba, where he developed his baseball skills before seeking opportunities in professional leagues outside his home country.
1.1. Birth and Early Baseball Career in Cuba
Alexander Guerrero Perez was born on November 20, 1986, in Las Tunas Province, Cuba. At the age of 17 in 2004, he began his professional baseball career in the Cuban National Series with the Las Tunas team. His performance earned him a selection to the 2010-2011 All-Star team. He also represented the Cuba national baseball team in various international tournaments, including the 2011 World Port Tournament and the 2012 Haarlem Baseball Week, where the Cuban team secured a gold medal. Guerrero was initially named to the preliminary roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic, but he did not make the final team. Reportedly upset by this snub, he chose to sit out the regular Cuban National Series season.
1.2. Defection from Cuba and US Residency
In 2013, Alexander Guerrero defected from Cuba, seeking to pursue a career in Major League Baseball (MLB). Following his defection, he obtained residency in Haiti. On September 9, 2013, he received clearance from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control, which allowed him to sign with U.S. baseball teams. He subsequently began training in the Dominican Republic to prepare for his professional career outside of Cuba.
2. Major League Baseball (MLB) Career
Guerrero's Major League Baseball career began with a high-profile signing by the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he spent several seasons navigating between the major and minor leagues.
2.1. Signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers
After his defection, Alexander Guerrero was highly sought after by MLB teams. Initially, there were rumors of a seven-year, 32.00 M USD deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, his initial agents were found to be unlicensed, leading him to switch representation to Scott Boras, a prominent baseball agent. On October 21, 2013, it was reported that Guerrero had reached a new agreement with the Dodgers, a four-year contract worth 28.00 M USD, which included a 10.00 M USD signing bonus. The deal also stipulated that he could become a free agent after his age 30 season. The Dodgers officially announced his signing on October 22. Following the signing, Guerrero made his professional debut with the Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League. However, his time there was limited to just 12 games due to hamstring issues, during which he batted .289.
2.2. Los Angeles Dodgers (2014-2016)
Alexander Guerrero's tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers was marked by his MLB debut, a significant off-field incident, and periods of impressive performance, ultimately concluding with his release.
2.2.1. 2014 Season
Alexander Guerrero made the Los Angeles Dodgers' 25-man opening day roster for the 2014 season. He made his MLB debut on March 22, 2014, as a pinch hitter against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Sydney, Australia. However, before he could record an at-bat, Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson brought in a right-handed pitcher, prompting Dodgers manager Don Mattingly to substitute Guerrero with a left-handed pinch hitter. Guerrero had his first official at-bat the following night but struck out. After the two-game opening series, he was optioned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes.
A significant incident occurred on May 20, 2014, during a game against the Salt Lake Bees when Guerrero was involved in a dugout altercation with his Albuquerque teammate, Miguel Olivo. During the scuffle, Olivo bit off a portion of Guerrero's ear, necessitating a complex plastic surgery operation to reattach it. This injury required him to spend several days in the hospital and led to a long absence from play. He returned to action on July 10 with the Rookie-level Arizona League Dodgers, playing seven games before being promoted to the A+ Rancho Cucamonga Quakes on July 20, where he hit .368 in five games. On July 26, he was reassigned to Triple-A Albuquerque, where he played 32 games, batting .286 with 5 home runs, 20 RBI, and 3 stolen bases. The Dodgers recalled him on September 1 when rosters expanded. On September 13, he recorded his first Major League hit, a single off Erik Cordier of the San Francisco Giants. He appeared in 13 games for the Dodgers, primarily as a pinch hitter, and had just one hit in 13 at-bats, resulting in a .077 batting average for the season.
2.2.2. 2015 Season
During spring training in 2015, Alexander Guerrero made it clear he intended to exercise a unique clause in his contract that allowed him to refuse a minor league assignment. His strong performance in spring training convinced the Dodgers to include him on their opening day roster, despite some defensive concerns. In his first start of the season, Guerrero excelled, collecting three hits in five at-bats, including his first MLB home run, hit off Óliver Pérez of the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 12.
Within two weeks of the season, Guerrero's impressive hitting led to calls for him to become the regular third baseman, as the incumbent Juan Uribe had a slow start. However, Uribe improved his performance, and Guerrero continued to be utilized in a utility role, playing at third base, left field, and as a pinch hitter. Despite not being a regular starter, Guerrero was named the Rookie of the Month for April 2015, his first full month in the Major Leagues. During April, he batted .423 with five home runs and 13 RBI in only 13 games. On June 2, with the Dodgers trailing the Colorado Rockies by three runs and down to their last strike in the top of the 9th inning, Guerrero hit the first grand slam of his career, a shot over the center field wall, which proved to be the winning run for the Dodgers. His production tapered off towards the end of the season, but he concluded the year playing in 117 games, with 11 home runs, 36 RBI, and a .224 batting average.
2.2.3. 2016 Season and Release
Alexander Guerrero sustained a knee injury during spring training in 2016, which led to him starting the season on the disabled list. In May, during a minor league rehabilitation stint across three different levels, he played in 16 games and batted .136. Upon his readiness to return, there was no available spot on the Dodgers' active roster. Consequently, Guerrero was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on May 31, 2016, and removed from the 40-man roster. The Dodgers officially released him on June 8.
3. Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Career
After his departure from Major League Baseball, Alexander Guerrero embarked on a successful and impactful career in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.
3.1. Chunichi Dragons (2017)
On November 26, 2016, Alexander Guerrero signed with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), with a reported salary of 150.00 M JPY. He was assigned jersey number 42. Although he initially struggled in the early part of the 2017 season, he gradually adapted to Japanese baseball. From May 28 against the Tokyo Yakult Swallows to June 3 against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, Guerrero set a new Chunichi franchise record by hitting home runs in six consecutive games. However, he fell short of equaling the NPB record of seven consecutive home run games, held by Randy Bass and Sadaharu Oh, as he failed to register a hit in the final game of the series against the Eagles on June 4.
Guerrero was selected by the manager's choice for the 2017 Central League All-Star team. Throughout the year, he was a pivotal player for the Dragons, contributing as a third baseman and left fielder. In his first year in Japan, he recorded a .279 batting average and led the league with 35 home runs, securing the home run title. Following the season, negotiations for his return with the Chunichi Dragons broke down, as the team had adopted a stance of not engaging in a "money game." The Dragons announced his departure on December 2, and he was officially designated as a free agent.
3.2. Yomiuri Giants (2018-2019)
On December 15, 2017, Alexander Guerrero signed a two-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants of NPB, worth a total of 800.00 M JPY. He was given jersey number 5.
In the 2018 season, Guerrero started strong, batting .329 with five home runs in April. However, his performance declined around the interleague play period. In mid-June, he was demoted to the minor league due to poor condition, and reports indicated a lack of communication with the coaching staff. His return to the first team was delayed until August 26. Although he hit several home runs immediately after his return, his performance soon declined again, and by the end of the season, he often did not start. He finished the 2018 season with 15 home runs and 40 RBI. After the season, with the acquisition of Hiroyuki Nakajima and new manager Tatsunori Hara's preference for jersey number 44 for foreign sluggers, Guerrero's jersey number was changed to 44.
In 2019, Guerrero had a promising start, recording four RBI in his first start on March 30 against the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and hitting home runs in two consecutive games starting from April 2 against the Hanshin Tigers. However, by May 5, his performance declined, as he appeared in 30 games with a .226 batting average, 4 home runs, and 13 RBI, leading to his demotion to the minor league on May 6. After being recalled to the first team, he had a strong August, contributing significantly to the team's resurgence by hitting numerous home runs. While he cleared 20 home runs for the first time in two years and achieved an OPS of .850, his batting average remained in the .230s, falling even lower than the previous year due to another slump in September. Despite a two-run home run in the 8th inning against the Hanshin Tigers on September 15 that led to a comeback victory, he was designated as a free agent on December 2, concluding his contract with the Giants.
4. Post-NPB Career
Following his time in Japanese professional baseball, Alexander Guerrero sought further opportunities, though his subsequent career was impacted by unforeseen global events.
4.1. Fubon Guardians (2021)
In May 2021, Alexander Guerrero reached an agreement to sign with the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in Taiwan. However, shortly after the agreement, Taiwan implemented strict border controls due to a major COVID-19 outbreak, which prevented Guerrero from entering the country. When the borders eventually reopened, Guerrero opted out of his contract with the team without having played in a single game for the Guardians.
5. Player Profile
Alexander Guerrero was recognized for his versatile defensive capabilities and his significant power at the plate, though his batting approach also drew particular attention for specific patterns.
5.1. Playing Style and Strengths
Alexander Guerrero was primarily known as a versatile utility player, capable of playing various infield and outfield positions. While he played predominantly as a shortstop in Cuba, he adapted to playing third base and left field during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His offensive strength was his notable power-hitting ability, demonstrated by his 11 home runs in MLB in 2015 and his 35 home runs in NPB in 2017, where he led the league. Standing at 72 in (182 cm), he possessed significant long-ball power despite being relatively small for an MLB power hitter.
5.2. Batting Characteristics and Nicknames
A distinctive characteristic of Alexander Guerrero's batting was the high proportion of solo home runs he hit. For instance, in his 2017 NPB home run title season, 22 of his 35 home runs (approximately 63%) were solo shots, with 8 two-run homers and 5 three-run homers. His batting average with runners in scoring position was .258 that year. In 2018, 11 of his 15 total home runs (approximately 73%) were solo home runs, with the remaining 4 being two-run homers. Due to this tendency, Japanese fans and media frequently referred to him by the nickname "Soloro" (ソローロJapanese), a portmanteau of "solo" and "Guerrero."
6. Notable Incidents
Throughout his career, Alexander Guerrero was involved in a particularly significant non-playing incident that gained widespread attention.
6.1. Altercation with Miguel Olivo
On May 20, 2014, while playing for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, Alexander Guerrero was involved in a physical altercation with his teammate, Miguel Olivo, during a game against the Salt Lake Bees. The dispute began on the field and escalated into a scuffle in the dugout. During the confrontation, Olivo bit off a portion of Guerrero's ear. The severe injury required Guerrero to undergo a complicated plastic surgery operation to reattach the part of his ear, leading to a prolonged recovery period and a significant absence from play. The incident resulted in Olivo being suspended for the act.
7. Awards and Achievements
Alexander Guerrero received several significant individual awards and achieved notable records throughout his professional baseball career across different leagues.
7.1. Major Titles and Awards
- Home Run King (NPB): 1 time (2017)
- Rookie of the Month (MLB): 1 time (April 2015)
- All-Star Game selection (NPB): 1 time (2017)
- Cuban National Series All-Star team: 1 time (2010-2011)
7.2. Career Records
Alexander Guerrero achieved a significant milestone in NPB by setting a Chunichi Dragons franchise record for hitting home runs in six consecutive games. This streak occurred from May 28 to June 3, 2017. He narrowly missed equaling the NPB record of seven consecutive home run games.
8. Career Statistics
Alexander Guerrero's statistical performance across MLB and NPB illustrates his contribution and impact during his professional career.
8.1. Batting Statistics
| Year | Team | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | TB | RBI | SB | CS | SH | SF | BB | IBB | HBP | SO | GDP | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | LAD | 11 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | .077 | .077 | .077 | .154 | |
| 2015 | LAD | 106 | 230 | 219 | 25 | 51 | 9 | 1 | 11 | 95 | 36 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 57 | 7 | .233 | .261 | .434 | .695 |
| MLB Total (2 years) | 117 | 243 | 232 | 25 | 52 | 9 | 1 | 11 | 96 | 36 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 63 | 7 | .224 | .251 | .414 | .665 | |
| 2017 | Chunichi | 130 | 510 | 469 | 67 | 131 | 22 | 3 | 35 | 264 | 86 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 0 | 15 | 98 | 13 | .279 | .333 | .563 | .896 |
| 2018 | Yomiuri | 82 | 323 | 287 | 34 | 70 | 17 | 0 | 15 | 132 | 40 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 0 | 6 | 62 | 8 | .244 | .325 | .460 | .785 |
| 2019 | Yomiuri | 101 | 333 | 287 | 33 | 68 | 16 | 2 | 21 | 151 | 54 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 40 | 2 | 4 | 59 | 5 | .237 | .337 | .526 | .863 |
| NPB Total (3 years) | 313 | 1166 | 1043 | 134 | 269 | 55 | 5 | 71 | 547 | 180 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 93 | 2 | 25 | 219 | 26 | .258 | .332 | .524 | .856 | |
- Bold denotes league best
- Totals as of the end of the 2020 season for NPB.
8.2. Fielding Statistics
| Year | Team | Third Base (3B) | Left Field (LF) | Outfield | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | PO | A | E | DP | FLD% | G | PO | A | E | DP | FLD% | G | PO | A | E | DP | FLD% | ||
| 2014 | LAD | - | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | - | ||||||||||
| 2015 | LAD | 22 | 10 | 34 | 1 | 3 | .978 | 29 | 29 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .938 | - | |||||
| MLB Total | 22 | 10 | 34 | 1 | 3 | .978 | 32 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .941 | - | ||||||
| 2017 | Chunichi | 32 | 20 | 53 | 3 | 3 | .961 | - | 89 | 146 | 7 | 1 | 1 | .994 | |||||
| 2018 | Yomiuri | - | - | 76 | 103 | 2 | 3 | 0 | .972 | ||||||||||
| 2019 | Yomiuri | - | - | 89 | 105 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .991 | ||||||||||
| NPB Total | 32 | 20 | 53 | 3 | 3 | .961 | - | 254 | 354 | 12 | 5 | 1 | .987 | ||||||
- Totals as of the end of the 2020 season for NPB.
9. Personal Information
Beyond his on-field performance, Alexander Guerrero's personal details and connections within the baseball community offer additional insights into his career.
9.1. Jersey Numbers
Throughout his professional baseball career, Alexander Guerrero wore several jersey numbers:
- No. 7 (2014-2015, Los Angeles Dodgers)
- No. 42 (2017, Chunichi Dragons)
- No. 5 (2018, Yomiuri Giants)
- No. 44 (2019, Yomiuri Giants)
9.2. Entrance Music
Alexander Guerrero used various songs as his entrance music when coming to bat:
- "Pa' La Camara" by Chacal (2017)
- "Superbien" by El Taiger (2018 - June 2019)
- "Caro" by Bad Bunny (July 2019 - end of season)
9.3. Relationships
Alexander Guerrero maintained a close relationship with Yadir Drake, another baseball player who also defected from Cuba. Drake consulted Guerrero regarding his decision to play in the Japanese baseball league, indicating a friendly and supportive connection between the two Cuban players.