FORT MYERS, Fla. — Tayron Guerrero, a non-roster invitee with the Boston Red Sox, has a unique origin story for a professional baseball player. He discovered the sport at age 16, inspired by watching the Red Sox win the 2007 World Series.

From Late Discovery to Professional Pitcher

Guerrero’s introduction to baseball came unexpectedly. I was passing the TV room,” Guerrero said Saturday at JetBlue Park. His grandfather was watching a sporting event, and Guerrero’s curiosity led him to stop and watch. I was curious. I’m like, ‘What’s that sport?’“

That sport turned out to be baseball, specifically Game 4 of the 2007 World Series between the Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies. He witnessed the Red Sox complete a sweep, capped by a strikeout from closer Jonathan Papelbon. That night I watched the Red Sox win the championship. The next day I’m like, ‘I want to play baseball,’” Guerrero recalled.

Overcoming Obstacles in Bocachica, Colombia

Growing up in Bocachica, Colombia, a tiny village on Tierra Bomba Island, Guerrero faced significant challenges in pursuing his newfound passion. I didn’t realize anything about baseball” before that night in 2007, he said. Resources were scarce. I didn’t have the money” to immediately buy a glove.

Bocachica lacked even a baseball field. Guerrero and his friends improvised, playing in the streets with makeshift bats and balls. We used to go to like the jungle,” Guerrero said. They cut branches and made those into baseball bats. They stuffed objects into socks to make makeshift baseballs.“

To receive proper training, Guerrero had to travel to Cartagena, requiring a daily ferry commute. He would wake up around 5 a.m. To catch the ferry, practice, and then navigate a complex return journey involving multiple boats and a two-hour walk.

A Career Forged Through Perseverance

Guerrero signed an amateur international free agent contract with the San Diego Padres in December 2009, approximately 26 months after he began playing baseball. He has since appeared in 113 MLB games with the Padres (2016), Miami Marlins (2018, 2019), and pitched in Japan for the Chiba Lotte Marines (2022, 2025). He currently throws a fastball reaching speeds over 100 mph, having hit 104 mph against the Braves in 2018.

The 35-year-old signed a minor league deal with Boston on January 9. He expressed his excitement about the opportunity. Eighteen years later, here I am, with the team that made me like baseball,” Guerrero said. I have been enjoying it since the first day they called me and say, ‘Hey, we’re gonna sign you.’ I’ve been dreaming of this moment. And nothing is gonna be like the day, if I have the opportunity to pitch at Fenway Park.”

Learning from the Best

Guerrero is currently working on refining his skills, including a split-finger fastball he learned from Roki Sasaki while both played for the Chiba Lotte Marines. He is also seeking guidance from Red Sox veteran Aroldis Chapman to improve his control and command. Every day I have a question for him as he has been in the league for plus 10 years,” Guerrero said. We have almost like same velocity. Obviously he can throw more harder than me. But I just ask him how he can be better in the strike zone, how he uses the breaking balls and pitches.”

FAQ

• How did Tayron Guerrero discover baseball? He discovered it while watching the 2007 World Series between the Red Sox and Rockies.
• Where is Tayron Guerrero from? He is from Bocachica, Colombia.
• What teams has Tayron Guerrero played for? He has played for the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, Chiba Lotte Marines, and is currently with the Boston Red Sox.