Guzman runs hitting streak to 14 games

If Ronald Guzman was tired at the end of the first half, his numbers didn't reflect it. But he admitted the Texas League All-Star break came at the perfect time for him, both physically and mentally.

"The rest really helped me a lot," Guzman said. "I feel fresh and my mind feels fresh. I feel like I can make adjustments quicker than what I was doing at the end of the first half. I'm just trying to keep it up now. I'm feeling good with my swing, on defense, and the team has been playing a lot better, which helps me, too." 

The Rangers' No. 22 prospect went 3-for-4 with a double, homer and two RBIs to extend his hitting streak to 14 games on Friday as Double-A Frisco beat host Corpus Christi, 6-1. 

With three homers in his last four games, Guzman has surpassed last season's total of 12 -- in 47 fewer contests. Through his first 84 Double-A games, he's slashing .302/.364/.505 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs.

"In the offseason, I worked a lot with a weighted bat," the 21-year-old outfielder said. "I expected to have a better year hitting home runs but also wanted to hit the ball harder, which has happened. I don't worry about hitting home runs. I know that if I hit the ball hard, it will carry because of the work I did." 

Guzman homered to left field in his first at-bat, giving him long balls in two consecutive plate appearances going back to the ninth inning of Thursday night's game. He singled to right in the third and drove a double to left in the fifth that scored Rangers No. 2 prospect Lewis Brinson. Needing a triple for the cycle, Guzman grounded out in his final at-bat in the seventh.

The native of the Dominican Republic led Rangers Minor Leaguers with 87 RBIs last year while playing for Class A Hickory and Class A Advanced High Desert. Guzman got off to a hot start this year before hitting .215 in 27 June games. But he's bounced back, hitting .370 with three homers and nine RBIs in 12 games since the All-Star break.

"During Spring Training, I kept everything simple," he said. "The coaches were tough on me about staying consistent with my swing. I've had basically the same swing since I was 13 or 14, but towards the end of the first half, I lost myself a little bit mentally. So during the break, I went through videos from Spring Training, made a few adjustments and I'm feeling good now."

Guzman also took another minor break last weekend when he traveled to San Diego to take part in the All-Star Futures Game. He went 0-for-1 with a walk in the World's 11-3 win and left with terrific memories.

"It was the best experience in my life, baseball-wise," Guzman said. "The guys were amazing. So was the crowd, the coaches and everything about it. Having a chance to take batting practice on a big league field was unreal and just being around so many talented players and competing together -- it was an unbelievable experience." 

Alex Burg chipped in three RBIs to help make a winner of Rangers No. 30 prospect Victor Payano (6-6). The 23-year-old southpaw allowed one run on nine hits and no walks while striking out six over 6 2/3 innings.

Corpus Christi starter Evan Grills (3-3) allowed six runs -- five earned -- on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts in five innings.