This week I’m going to look at sort of an unsung hero. Before the end of the season, Juan Gutierrez of the Shorebirds will turn 25 years old. To be that age and in the lowest rung of class “A” ball is usually a sign that your pro career is nearing an end, and this may be the case for Juan.
But I think the Orioles organization has kept Juan around for another go-round with Delmarva for two reasons: one is that he’s a hard worker and always ready to play wherever needed, and secondly he’s the mentor for two young catchers I’ve previously selected as Shorebirds of the Week, Brandon Snyder and Kyle Dahlberg.
Last season I recall Gutierrez playing behind the plate, over at first, and occasionally at third, meanwhile hitting a respectable .264 in 84 games and drawing a lot of walks – he was third on the team in walks (46) but trailed two guys with at least 100 more at bats. It’s been more of a struggle this season though, the average is at .185 in 81 at bats spread over 30 games (just over half of Delmarva’s contests.)
So right now the only thing you see Juan Gutierrez doing in a lot of games is trotting out at the start of the innings to warm up the pitcher. But every team has a guy who sits at the end of the bench hoping to get in and contribute. Good teams have a good guy who does that, and I think Gutierrez fits the bill.
It may be that Juan Gutierrez never makes it to the Show, but if Brandon Snyder or Kyle Dahlberg do get that far they may look back at a mentor they had at Delmarva and lessons learned on how to stay ready to get into the game at a moment’s notice and conduct yourself in a professional manner.
