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Can Guzman be Rangers' long-term first baseman without true homer power? | Fort Worth Star-Telegram

At 23 years old, it's hard to think of Ronald Guzman as a late bloomer, but that's better than what he was being called only a few years ago.

Some were saying that Guzman was already a bust, having opened a third consecutive season at Low A Hickory and then struggled initially at the hitters' paradise that was High A High Desert.

Maybe the doubts spread because the 6-foot-6 baseball behemoth doesn't hit 40 homers a season. Or 30. Or even 20.

Maybe it was because his best buddy and fellow 2011 international signee, Nomar Mazara, made his MLB debut at age 21 and was seemingly always a level or two closer to the Texas Rangers' lineup.