February 28th, 2014 at 6:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka There is an old saying that has proven itself time and time again – “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” and from the looks of things, Cuban shortstop-turned-second baseman Alex Guerrero doesn’t need to worry about that.
“If I get 25 efforts like I get from Alex every day we’re going to be fine,” said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly of the 27-year-old Guerrero. “This guy comes to work everyday. He gives himself the best chance to have success because he comes here everyday with a good attitude, he works hard, he could be here working before, he could be here working after, he works on ground balls, he works in the cage – Alex gives himself the best chance for success.”
That’s quite an endorsement for a guy who had never even faced an opposing MLB pitcher until Wednesday afternoon. And even though Guerrero went 0 for 2 in his spring training debut, he collected two base hits (both singles) in Thursday afternoon’s game in the designated hitter role and continues to impress his manager and his teammates on both sides of the ball.
In addition to picking up his first two hits of the spring on Thursday, Guerrero also picked up his first RBI.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
“I think we’ll see him get better and better as this camp goes on,” Mattingly added. “I think the fluidity of his game is going to get better as he gets to play regularly. I’m going to try to keep him in there almost every day, not necessarily on the field, but getting DH at bats like today, I’m going to DH him, tomorrow (Friday) he’ll play second again. (I’m going to) try to keep him regular and then give him a (day off) now and then, but try to keep him on the field as much as we can.”
Through the first two spring training games, Guerrero has split time at second base with Dee Gordon and Miguel Rojas and all three have played error free defense. If this trend continues, it could boil down to who has the best offensive success to determine who will win the everyday second baseman job. Thus far Guerrero is 2 for 6 (.333), Gordon 0 for 5 (.000) and Rojas 1 for 3 (.333).
Yasiel Puig cheers for his fellow countryman after Guerrero picked up his second hit on Thursday afternoon.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)
There is no doubt that both Dee Gordon and Miguel Rojas are also working very hard to win the everyday second baseman job with the Dodgers, but from what Guerrero is doing and from what Mattingly is saying, it appears that Guerrero will not need a second chance to make a first impression.
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Guerrero looked very good at the plate in this second ST game and I’m happy about that but I think this is going to be an interesting competion for second base, even though I think it’s Guerrero’s job to lose. Meaning if they all do well we’ll see Guerrero on opening day. Am I right?
I like him. I have been mostly watching the games thus far to see he plays. He carries himself well on the field and at the plate. While Dee Gordon is an interesting option, this is Guerrero’s to win or lose by how he plays in spring training. Mattingly is going to give him every opportunity to play. If he hits and handles himself well at 2nd, I don’t see why they wouldn’t start him with the Dodgers to begin the season. If he struggles this spring, I am sure he will be sent down for more seasoning but as things look with just a few games, he looks like a keeper.