Left-hander Gustavo Chacin (Astros) went seven scoreless innings allowing five hits as Caracas evened the Venezuelan Winter League’s championship series at 3-3 to force a deciding game seven versus Magallanes. Caracas scored five runs in the top of the fourth inning. Carlos Maldonado hit a two-run homerun, outfielder Josh Kroeger added a solo homerun (2 hits), and second baseman Jose Lopez (Mariners) also added a solo homerun. There were over 16,000 fans in attendance.

Carlos Maldonado

There was excitement in the air in Venezuela as the top two teams squared off for the winter league title and a shot at representing the host country in the Caribbean Series. Even Pablo Sandoval was given special permission from the SF Giants to return to Magallanes for the decisive Game 7 to DH and help his team win (he went 1-for-4). Unfortunately for Magallanes, Caracas’ Jason Standridge was too much as he went seven innings allowing an earned run on seven hits to lead Caracas to a 7-2 title-clinching win. Julio Manon, Orber Moreno, and Juan Gutierrez combined to go three no-hit innings in relief of Standridge. Caracas’ offense was also too much as they scored four runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back (they had 16 hits total). Maldonado went 4-for-5 with a double and two RBIs and outfielder Gregor Blanco (Braves) had a solo homerun and scored two runs to pace Caracas. Yurendell de Caster had two hits, drove in a run, and scored a run for Magallanes. It was Caracas’ first title since 2006 and over 16,000 fans were in attendance.

Aaron Bates

The Puerto Rican Winter League finals lasted just five games with another extra inning affair. Through seven innings, Mayaguez led 5-3 but Caguas stormed back to tie the game at 5-5 in the eighth inning. Cesar Nicolas and Aaron Bates (Red Sox) hit back-to-back homeruns to tie the game. Both teams scored a run in their half of the tenth, but in the eleventh Mayaguez scored two runs to win the game. Both Jesus Feliciano (Mets) and Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) scored a run in the eleventh to take the championship series 4-1. Angel Sanchez went 4-for-6 with two runs scored and an RBI and Bates also doubled and scored two runs to pace Mayaguez to its first championship since 2005.

Mazatlan forced a decisive Game 7 in the Mexican Pacific League’s championship series by taking Game 6 4-3 over Hermosillo. Sergio Gastelum singled in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning as well as compiling three RBIs. Veteran Ruben Rivera homered again for Mazatlan. Mazatlan squandered a 3-0 lead in the game. Veteran Vinny Castilla drove in two runs while fellow veteran Geronimo Gil had three hits for Hermosillo. Veteran Esteban Loaiza went 6.2 innings allowing eight hits and two runs for Mazatlan while minor league veteran Travis Blackley went 6 innings allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out three in the loss.

Outfielder Chris Roberson led off Game 7 for Hermosillo with a triple and scored the game’s only run on a Castilla double. Roberson also made the key defensive play of the game in the sixth inning as he made a sliding grab of Robert Saucedo’s fly ball and doubled Rivera off of second base to end Mazatlan’s best threat. Mexican League veteran Juan Delgadillo went 7.2 innings allowing six hits while striking out three to earn the 1-0 title-clinching win. The hard-luck loss went to Walter Silva who gave up just the one run on two hits over eight innings while striking out seven. Hermosillo won the title for the second time in four years.

Tags:

Aaron Bates, Angel Sanchez, Caribbean Series, Carlos Maldonado, Chris Roberson, Gustavo Chacin, Jason Standridge, Jose Lopez, Mexican Pacific League, Pablo Sandoval, Puerto Rican Winter League, Randy Ruiz, Ruben Rivera, Venezuelan Winter League, Vinny Castilla

In the Dominican, the championship series was heating up as Escogido, who was facing elimination, tied the best-of-nine championship series with Gigantes up at 4-4. This game had a dramatic ending as infielder Argenis Reyes doubled and scored the winning run in the 11^th inning to give Escogido a 4-3 walk-off win. Gigantes had taken the lead in the top of the ninth, only to see Escogido tie it in the bottom of the inning. Infielder Wilson Betemit hit his second solo homerun of the game in the ninth inning off of Santiago Casilla to give Gigantes the short-lived lead. DH Brayan Pena (Royals) added two hits for Escogido. This tie in the series forced a decisive Finals game with a trip to the Caribbean Series in Venezuela on the line.

Francisco Liriano

With the series all tied up in the Dominican Winter League championship, Escogido sent Minnesota Twins lefty Francisco Liriano to the mound. Liriano dominated, going five shutout innings allowing just one hit while striking out ten. This is just the dominant performance the Twins are hoping for in the 2010 season. Liriano improved to 3-1 with a 0.49 ERA in seven playoff games (37 innings) while striking out 47. Outfielder Wladimir Balentien (Reds) hit a solo homerun in Escogido’s three-run second inning. Infielder Joaquin Arias (Rangers) went 2-for-4 with an RBI single. Alex Valdez (A’s) drove in two runs and scored a run in the ninth inning, providing the necessary insurance for reliever Casilla, who threw a scoreless ninth inning for the save. Escogido won their first Dominican championship since 1992 (and 14^th overall) and move onto the Caribbean Series to represent the Dominican Republic.

In Puerto Rico, Mayaguez took a commanding 3-0 series lead over Caguas. However this game wouldn’t end until fourteen innings were complete. Jesus Feliciano (Mets) went 4-for-6 with an RBI triple and a run scored while Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) had an RBI single in the 3-2 win. Bobby Cramer went 6.1 innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out four. Caguas came back to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth inning off of closer Fernando Cabrera. Benigno Cepeda went three no-hit innings for Mayaguez in extra innings. Saul Rivera threw four shutout innings allowing one hit while striking out four in extra innings for Caguas. Cesar Nicolas and Aaron Bates (Reds Sox) contributed two hits each in the loss.

Alex Cora with the Red Sox

Caguas held off elimination by handing Mayaguez a 9-2 loss. Carlos Rivera doubled twice and drove in three runs. Infielder Alex Cora (Mets) drove in two runs and Adrian Ortiz homered. Bates and Nicolas also contributed two hits a piece. Willie Collazo went seven innings allowing four hits and an earned run for the win.

Game 5 of the Mexican Pacific League finals went to Hermosillo by way of a rout, 9-0. Edgar Gonzalez tossed a complete game five-hit shutout over Mazatlan. He walked two and struck out five. Veteran Karim Garcia had a three-run homerun and Luis A. Garcia added a two-run homerun while scoring three times (and he had three hits). Leftfielder Nelson Teilon went 3-for-4 and catcher Geronimo Gil went 2-for-3. Shortstop Reid Brignac (Rays) had two of Mazatlan’s five hits in the loss.

Tags:

Alex Cora, Argenis Reyes, Bobby Cramer, Dominican Winter League, Edgar Gonzalez, Escogido, Francisco Liriano, Jesus Feliciano, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Winter League, Randy Ruiz, Willie Collazo

Chris Roberson with Ottawa

Mazatlan took a 2-1 series lead over Hermosillo in their Game 3 8-7 victory. Veteran Ruben Rivera continued to hit and hit for power as he homered and drove in three runs. Rivera’s homerun was the game winner, as he hit a two-run blast off of Mexican League veteran pitcher Jose Vargas in the top of the ninth inning. Outfielder Jon Weber also continues to hit, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI. Both teams had ten hits. Close to 13,000 fans turned out in Hermosillo.

Hermosillo tied the championship series up at 2-2 over Mazatlan in Game 4. Outfielder Chris Roberson fell a triple short of the cycle, going 4-for-5 with a homerun, two runs scored, and four RBIs. Mexican League veterans, catcher Geronimo Gil and shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval both went 2-for-4. Left-hander Juan Oramas went 6.1 innings allowing just two hits while striking out six. He allowed just one run in the win despite walking six batters. In the loss, Rivera hit another homerun, one of Mazatlan’s four hits. Over 13,000 fans were in attendance for Game 4.

Randy Ruiz

Game 1 of the Puerto Rican Winter League finals got underway and it took extra innings to declare a winner. Mayaguez won 7-6 over Caguas in ten innings. Andres Torres hit a game-tying two-run triple in the ninth inning for Mayaguez off of losing pitcher Joe Torres. First baseman Donny Leon and Angel Sanchez both collected three hits in the win. DH Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) collected two doubles and scored two runs. In the loss, outfielder Eddy Martinez-Esteve (Giants) collected two doubles and an RBI. Also for Caguas, second baseman Jose Castro and DH Cesar Nicolas went 3-for-4. Veteran pitcher Mike Maroth started for Mayaguez, going 4.1 innings allowing seven hits, four walks, and three runs, while striking out three.

Game 2 was also a one run game that went to Mayaguez. Ruiz was the offensive hero as he went 2-for-3 with two doubles while he drove in all five of the team’s runs. In the 5-4 loss, Edgardo Baez had a three- run homerun. Winning pitcher Juan Padilla went 5.2 innings allowing five hits and three runs while striking out three, as he gave up Baez’ homerun. Veteran infielder Alex Cora went 2-for-3 and catcher Raul Casanova went 2-for-4 in the loss.

In the Venezuelan Winter League finals, Magallanes took a 3-2 series lead over Caracas to come within one win of the title and a trip to the Caribbean Series. Shortstop Elvis Andrus (Rangers) went 3-for-4 with a homerun and two runs scored in the 3-0 win. First baseman Yurendell de Caster continues hit hot-hitting as he went 2-for-4. Raul Valdes continued his playoff dominance as he went seven innings allowing just two hits and no runs while striking out four. Jean Machi and Francisco Rodriguez (who got the save) combined to go two one-hit innings in relief of Valdes. Veteran Ramon Ortiz went 5.1 innings allowing four hits and two runs while striking out five in the loss. Over 20,000 fans were in attendance.

Tags:

Chris Roberson, Eddy Martinez-Esteve, Elvis Andrus, Jon Weber, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Winter League, Ramon Ortiz, Randy Ruiz, Raul Valdes, Ruben Rivera, Venezuelan Winter League

Juan Francisco

With the Dominican Winter League’s championship series all tied up at 2-2, Gigantes took Game 5 by a 3-2 score over Escogido. Jose Capellan went six innings allowing two runs on four hits while striking out four in his second championship start. Reds prospect Juan Francisco went 2-for-3 and drove in all three runs for Gigantes. Kevin Barker provided the only offense for Escogido, with a two-run homerun, which was his third of the postseason.

In Game 6, Escogido again tied the best-of-nine series, this time at 3-3. Heath Phillips (Royals) continued his dominance in winter league by striking out seven in six innings and allowing one run on six hits. In the 5-4 victory, catcher Wilkin Castillo drove in two runs. Infielder Alexi Casilla (Twins) accounted for three of Gigantes four runs as he delivered a bases-clearing triple.

Game 7 was a pitcher’s duel, as Gigantes outlasted Escogido 2-0 to take a 4-3 series lead. Former big league pitcher Victor Zambrano went 5.1 shutout innings allowing three hits while striking out four. Left-hander Antonio Bastardo (Phillies) got the win, going 1.2 scoreless innings of relief allowing one hit while striking out three. Left fielder Lucas Montero went 3-for-4 for Gigantes. In the loss, veteran Nelson Figueroa went 7.1 innings allowing seven hits and two unearned runs while striking out four.

Eddy Martinez-Esteve with Single-A San Jose

The Puerto Rican Winter League’s semifinal series both came to an end with Game 7’s. Caguas took their Game 7 over Carolina 3-1 behind the arm of Andrew Baldwin (Mariners) who scattered two hits in his eight innings of work. Baldwin allowed just one run while striking out eight. Saul Rivera (Indians) worked the ninth for the save. Outfielder Eddy Martinez-Esteve (Giants) continued his hot-hitting in the playoffs, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Caguas scored all three of their runs in the third inning.

Mayaguez won their Game 7 over Arecibo 5-2 as Randy Ruiz (Blue Jays) hit a solo homerun and Andres Torres blasted a two-run homerun for Mayaguez. Shortstop Angel Sanchez went 2-for-4 in the win. Brodie Downs went four innings for Mayaguez without giving up a run. Mayaguez will face-off against Caguas in the championship series for a spot in the Caribbean Series in Venezuela.

Caracas took Game 3 of the Venezuelan Winter League championship series 5-3 over Magallanes to shrink the lead to 2-1. Raul Padron and Carlos Maldonado both contributed RBI doubles and two hits. Caracas got three innings of shutout baseball from their relievers. Magallanes scored all three of their runs in the second inning, with two scoring on Emilio Bonifacio’s (Marlins) single. Over 20,000 fans showed up to cheer on Caracas.

Jose Lopez

Game 4 of the series also went to Caracas to tie the championship series at 2-2. However this game ended in dramatic fashion in the tenth inning. Jackson Melian hit a walk-off three-run homerun off of Yoel Hernandez to send Caracas to a 10-7 victory. Infielder Jose Lopez (Mariners) had a double and drove in four runs for Caracas. Caracas scored seven runs from the seventh inning on, with outfielder Gregor Blanco (Braves) tying the game off of closer Francisco Rodriguez (Mets) with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning with a solo homer. Each team tallied 11 hits. This was another game in which over 20,000 fans were in attendance.

Tags:

Alexi Casilla, Andrew Baldwin, Antonio Bastardo, Dominican Winter League, Heath Phillips, Jose Capellan, Jose Lopez, Juan Francisco, Nelson Figueroa, Puerto Rican Winter League, Randy Ruiz, Venezuelan Winter League, Victor Zambrano

Robinson Chirinos

The Venezuelan Winter League’s championship series got underway as Magallanes blasted Caracas 9-0 in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series. Robinson Chirinos continued his playoff hot-hitting, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Michael Ryan contributed a two-run double and scored twice. NY Yankees prospect Reegie Corona also went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Raul Valdes (who was previously pitching in the Dominican Winter League) went five scoreless innings allowing six hits while striking out six. Over 16,000 fans were in attendance for Game 1.

Game 2 was a high-scoring affair, as Magallanes beat Caracas 12-10. Alex Escobar went 4-for-5 with a homerun, four RBIs, and three runs scored. Netherland’s alum Yurendell de Caster had three hits and two RBIs as Magallanes took a 2-0 series lead. Magallanes blasted three homeruns off of Caracas starter Gustavo Chacin, who went just 3.1 innings allowing 10 hits and six runs. Josh Kroeger, Gregorio Petit, and Luis Maza all had three hits a piece for Caracas. Lots of crooked numbers were put up on the scoreboard, as Magallanes had a five-run inning and a four-run inning, while Caracas also had a four-run inning. Over 14,000 fans were in attendance.

Ruben Rivera

The Mexican Pacific League championship series began over the weekend as Mazatlan took Game 1 by a score of 5-3 over Hermosillo. Former Major Leaguer Ruben Rivera had a two-run homerun and Christian Quintero went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored. Reid Brignac, John Lindsay, and Jon Weber each had two hits in the win. Outfielder Chris Roberson went 3-for-4 with a double for Hermosillo. Pablo Ortega went 6.2 innings allowing three runs on seven hits for Mazatlan as a little over 15,000 fans were in attendance.

Game 2 went to Hermosillo as Travis Blackley went 5.2 innings allowing five hits and no runs while striking out four. In the 4-2 win, former big leaguer Vinny Castilla homered and drove in two runs to tie the series at 1-1. NY Yankees minor leaguer Jon Weber went 4-for-5 in the loss with two RBIs.

Levale Speigner with the Nats

In Puerto Rico, Arecibo and Mayaguez had to play another doubleheader, but this time the sweep went to Arecibo. In the first game, Radames Nazario went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored while D’Angelo Jimenez also drove in a run. Levale Speigner went 1.1 scoreless innings to pick up the 3-2 win. Juan Padilla pitched a complete game in the loss. In the second game, Speigner pitched 3.1 shutout innings to pick up another win as Arecibo scored four runs in the top of the ninth inning. Edwin Maysonet went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Jeffrey Dominguez added an RBI single in that ninth inning. Game 7 was suspended.

In the other Puerto Rican semifinal series, Carolina won 6-4 over Caguas to take a 3-2 series lead. Pedro Valdez went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and Andy Gonzalez also drove in two runs. Outfielder Bradley Coon delivered an RBI triple and also scored two runs. The bullpen for Carolina went 4.2 innings allowing just two runs on five hits. The top of the order for Caguas (Adrian Ortiz, Luis Figueroa, and Eddy Martinez-Esteve) accumulated seven of the team’s eleven hits. In Game 6, Caguas tied up the series at 3-3 with a 5-4 victory as Edgardo Baez delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning to go along with his other two hits.

Tags:

Alex Escobar, Edwin Maysonet, Jon Weber, Levale Speigner, Mexican Pacific League, Puerto Rican Winter League, Robinson Chirinos, Ruben Rivera, Travis Blackley, Venezuelan Winter League

Fernando Martinez

The Dominican Winter League Championship Series heated up a bit in Game 3, as Escogido busted out the hits with 22. Outfielder Fernando Martinez (Mets) blasted a three-run homerun and finished the game 6-for-6 with five RBIs as Escogido pounded Gigantes 13-4. DH Willis Otanez doubled and drove in three runs and infielder Joaquin Arias (Rangers) went 4-for-6 with two runs scored to help pace Escogido. Nelson Figueroa went 6.2 innings allowing 1 run on six hits while striking out six. The lone run he allowed came off the bat of Wilson Betemit (who drove in all four of Gigantes runs). Escogido scored nine runs in the eighth and ninth innings off of three Gigantes relievers. Escogido shrunk Gigantes lead to 2-1 in the series.

In Game 4, it was again about pitching. Edward Valdez went six innings allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four to lead Escogido to a 3-2 victory. The bullpen for Gigantes pitched 5.1 no-hit innings to keep them in the game, with Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Antonio Bastardo going two innings with three strikeouts. The victory tied the best-of-nine championship series at 2-2. Arias again provided offense as he hit a two-run homerun to pace the Escogido offense.

Edwin Maysonet

In Puerto Rican Winter League action, Arecibo tied their semifinal series with Mayaguez 1-1 on the arm of Mike Smith, who went six innings allowing five hits and no runs while striking out four. In the 6-0 win, infielder Edwin Maysonet (Astros) went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored to raise his playoff batting average to .625. League MVP Michel Abreu (who is a free agent) had three hits and third baseman D’Angelo Jimenez added two hits and an RBI. The next day required a double-header due to earlier postponements and Mayaguez swept the double-header winning 7-1 in Game 1 and 3-2 in Game 2. This increased Mayaguez’s semifinal series lead to 3-1 over Arecibo in the best-of-seven series. In Game 1, Brodie Downs (Mariners) went five innings allowing one run on just two hits. Reliever Pete Parise followed that up with two no-hit innings to close out the win. Being down 1-0 after the first inning, Mayaguez plated seven runs in the top of the sixth inning to take over the game. Offensively, Mayaguez was led by Mexican League veterans Donny Leon and Edwards Guzman, who both had two-run doubles. In Game 2, Mayaguez busted out 12 hits, with four players having multi-hit games. Ruddy Lugo went five innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out two for Mayaguez.

Game 3 for Caguas and Carolina lasted ten innings until Luis Figueroa singled and scored on an Aaron Bates (Red Sox) single in the top of the tenth to give Caguas a 2-1 win. Eddy Martinez-Esteve (Giants) drove in Caguas’ first run in the seventh to tie the game at 1-1 and Bates finished with two hits. Hector Mercado went five innings allowing a run on just two hits while striking out six. For Carolina, Carlos Castillo went six shutout innings allowing just two hits while striking out four. Game 4 went to Carolina 7-3, which evened the best-of-seven semifinal series at 2-2. After being down 3-2, Carolina stormed back in the later innings, scoring five runs from the fifth inning on. Carolina’s Andy Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with a solo homerun. Outfielders Armando Rios and Bradley Coon contributed 2 hits a piece for Carolina, with Rios scoring two runs. For Caguas, Martinez-Esteve continued his hot-hitting, going 2-for-5.

Tags:

Dominican Winter League, Eddy Martinez-Esteve, Edwin Maysonet, Fernando Martinez, Joaquin Arias, Nelson Figueroa, Puerto Rican Winter League

So far, the Dominican Winter League championship series has been all about the pitching. In Game 1, Gigantes and Escogido were deadlocked at 1-1, as both teams’ starters were solid. Escogido’s Francisco Liriano (Twins) went five innings allowing an unearned run on five hits while striking out six. Gigantes’ Jose Capellan went six innings allowing a run on five hits while striking out one. Escogido outfielder Fernando Martinez (Mets) homered in the third after Gigantes jumped out to a 1-0 first inning lead on Juan Francisco’s (Reds) RBI groundout (scoring Alexi Casilla). The tie lasted until the bottom of the seventh inning when Gigantes infielder Alexi Casilla (Twins) homered with two outs off of MLB All-Star closer Francisco Cordero (Reds) to take a 2-1 lead in the game, and a 1-0 series lead. The two teams combined for 15 hits in the game.

Aquilino Lopez with the Tigers

Game 2 was more of the same. Gigantes’ Aquilino Lopez went six innings allowing three hits and no runs while striking out two. Escogido starter Nerio Rodriguez went seven innings allowing one run on five hits.  Gigantes won the game 1-0 on an RBI single in the sixth inning by Casilla, who has been a part of the three runs scored by Gigantes so far in the series. Dario Veras, a Mexican League veteran, notched his second save in as many games and seventh overall in the playoffs. Gigantes holds a 2-0 series lead.

Mario Santiago with Single-A Wilmington

The Puerto Rican Winter League playoffs have finally begun. The Carolina and Caguas series got started as Kansas City Royals prospect Mario Santiago did not allow a hit over 7.1 innings in possibly his best pitching performance of his career. Cesar Nicolas broke up the no-hit bid with a single and Santiago was replaced by reliever Andrew Lorraine, who induced two groundouts to keep the one-hitter in tack. Francis Beltran pitched a perfect ninth. Santiago also struck out five. His dominant pitching performance led Carolina to a 5-0 win and a 1-0 series lead. MLB free agent Carlos Delgado drove in a run and also scored a run.

In Game 2 of the Carolina-Caguas series, Edgardo Baez delivered a walk-off RBI single (one of his two hits) in the tenth inning as Caguas evened up the series at 1-1. In the 2-1 win, SF Giants farmhand Eddy Martinez-Esteve had three hits for Caguas (including a double), while Delgado hit a solo homerun to account for Carolina’s only run. Willie Collazo for Carolina went six shutout innings allowing five hits while striking out three. Andrew Baldwin of Caguas went six innings allowing four hits and one run while striking out five.

The Mayaguez and Arecibo series finally got underway with Mayaguez taking the first game 8-4. Andres Torres had three hits, including a triple, and scored two runs. Mayaguez belted out 15 hits, with six players having multi-hit games. Arecibo had three players with multi-hit games, accumulating six of the team’s eight hits (Mets centerfielder Jesus Feliciano, Blue Jays rightfielder Jorge Padilla, and Astros shortstop Edwin Maysonet). Former Mets big-thing Bill Pulsipher took the loss for Arecibo, as he went just 2.2 innings allowing seven hits and five runs (three earned) while walking two and striking out two. The two teams combined for 5 errors.

Tags:

Alexi Casilla, Andres Torres, Andrew Baldwin, Aquilino Lopez, Bill Pulsipher, Carlos Delgado, Dominican Winter League, Eddy Martinez-Esteve, Edgardo Baez, Francisco Liriano, Jose Capellan, Mario Santiago, Nerio Rodriguez, Puerto Rican Winter League, Willie Collazo

Unlike the Arizona Fall League where only top prospects are invited, baseball’s winter leagues are open to young and old alike. Some play winter ball to make up for lost time (like the Cleveland Indians Jake Westbrook). Others play to work on things to make them better or to continue the progress they made during the regular season. Some players play winter ball to audition for a major league club. Hometown players play to give back to their home country’s fans and to show national pride.

There are four countries that offer winter ball leagues (Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic), which culminates in the Caribbean Series that will be held in Venezuela in February. The top four teams in each league represent their country in the series. The Cubs vice president of player personnel Oneri Fleita stated “I think it’s great for anybody’s development” to play winter ball.

I wrote about Jake Westbrook’s comeback attempt in winter ball in Puerto Rico. The NY Yankees have catching prospect Jesus Montero playing in his home country Venezuela to make up for the time he missed after his finger injury with Double-A Trenton. However he is not getting a lot of playing time with Navegantes del Magallanes (although it is not due to aggravating his finger). He has played in just 9 games and is hitting just .115. Another catcher, this one from the Texas Rangers, is also making up for lost time in Venezuela. Max Ramirez suffered injuries to both of his wrists during the season and only accumulated 287 at-bats. With Tiburones de La Guaira, Ramirez is hitting .245 in 42 games with 10 homeruns and 31 RBIs. Sandy Madera is leading the Mexican League in hitting, with a .433 average to go with 14 homeruns and 25 RBIs. The first baseman played in just 5 games with Triple-A Pawtucket and is using his time in Mexico to make up for the lost time.

John Mayberry Jr.

In Mexico, the Philadelphia Phillies have two outfield prospects competing for Yaquis de Obregon. John Mayberry Jr., who played in just 128 games between Triple-A Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia, and Michael Taylor, who is coming off a .320 season split between Double-A Reading and Lehigh Valley, are hoping their time in Mexico can help them crack the Phillies roster or audition for another team looking to make a trade. Despite battling an elbow injury, Taylor is hitting .309 in 19 games with 1 homerun and 11 RBIs. Mayberry is hitting .313 (which is 12^th in the Mexican League) in 38 games with 7 homeruns and 23 RBIs.

With the 3^rd best batting average in the Mexican League (.367), Mike Cervenak is hoping to sign with a team. After being named an International League All-Star with Lehigh Valley the last two seasons (and earning a World Series ring in 2008 with the Phillies), Cervenak is hoping to break through to the big leagues in 2010 (after making the majors for the first time in 2008). The third baseman (though I’ve seen him play a multitude of positions) has played in 43 games with 11 doubles, 10 homeruns, and 38 RBIs in Mexico. Cervenak’s former Triple-A teammate Andy Tracy, who re-signed with the Phillies, is playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic. Tracy hit his first homerun this weekend and is hitting .300 with 5 RBIs in 5 games (5 game hitting streak). Tracy could be the power bat off the bench for the Phillies in 2010.

Josh Schmidt pitching for Trenton

Josh Schmidt of the NY Yankees spent the 2009 season in Double-A Trenton, mainly out of the bullpen though he did spot start for the Thunder. In Venezuela, Schmidt just struck out ten in a 7 inning complete game shutout. He could be a long shot for the Yankees in 2010, but if he continues to pitch well as the All-Star did in 2009, you may see him as a call up next season. The Colorado Rockies young starter Jhoulys Chacin is pitching in his home country Venezuela. Chacin just was outdueled on Sunday, though he gave up just one unearned run in 6 innings. In 7 starts, Chacin is 1-1 with a 3.90 ERA with 9 walks to 22 strikeouts. Chacin should be plugged into the rotation for the Rockies in 2010.

Pablo Sandoval

The Kung Fu Panda has arrived in Venezuela. Pablo Sandoval, the fan favorite for the San Francisco Giants, has played in just 3 games though he had 3 hits in his second game (with 3 runs scored and an RBI). Also in Venezuela is the NY Mets young catcher Josh Thole, who continuing to hit in winter ball. Thole leads the league in hitting at .391 with 13 doubles, 3 homeruns, and 24 RBIs. In 39 games, Thole has more walks (24) than strikeouts (13).

Tags:

Andy Tracy, Dominican Winter League, Jesus Montero, Jhoulys Chacin, John Mayberry Jr, Josh Schmidt, Josh Thole, Max Ramirez, Mexican Pacific League, Michael Taylor, Mike Cervenak, Pablo Sandoval, Puerto Rican Winter League, Sandy Madera, Venezuelan Winter League

Remember Jake Westbrook? Cleveland Indians fans are hoping he makes them remember him again in 2010. Westbrook teamed with CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee to form a formidable tandem. From 2004-2007, Westbrook averaged over 200 innings a season and over 100 strikeouts in a season. However in that time span, he also has averaged over 50 walks a season. Before the 2007 season, the Indians signed Westbrook to an extension, keeping him through the 2010 season. He was a far cry from an ace, but the 2007 free agent market was set to be weak with starting pitching and Westbrook would have commanded close to $10 million. He was a consistent and steady middle of the rotation starter and the Indians were impressed with his leadership abilities.

Jake Westbrook

However Westbrook made just five starts in 2008, succumbing to Tommy John surgery, Sabathia was traded in July of 2008, and Lee was traded in July of 2009. Westbrook’s last major league start came on May 28, 2008 against the Chicago White Sox. Then he had Tommy John surgery in June. The Indians had hoped to have him back at midseason in 2009 but two setbacks during his minor league rehab shut him down until now. He has been at the Indians winter development complex in Goodyear, Arizona, working on his mechanics with new pitching coach Tim Belcher and stretching out his arm for a run in the Puerto Rican winter league.

Right now, Westbrook is slotted in as the Opening Day starter in 2010. The Indians would like to add a veteran starter to lead their young pitching staff. Westbrook could be that veteran guy if he is healthy. The Indians need to find the right guy because they do not want to block the progress of their young pitchers, including Justin Masterson, Fausto Carmona, Aaron Laffey, Jeremy Sowers, David Huff, Carlos Carrasco, Hector Rondon, and Jeanmar Gomez. Westbrook is in the final year of his contract and will make $11 million in 2010. If Westbrook is healthy and effective, look for him to be traded at the July trading deadline, just as his former teammates Sabathia and Lee were the last two seasons.

In his first start for Ponce against Gigantes del Cibao of the Dominican Republic in Puerto Rico, Westbrook pitched 1.2 innings, giving up 3 hits and one run, while walking one. He got four ground ball outs and one fly ball out. He did not strike out a batter. Westbrook was on a 35-pitch limit and threw 22 in the first inning. Eddie Perez, the Ponce manager and Westbrook’s former Indians teammate, said “his cutter was good, he had good velocity, good sink and good movement”. The day after his start, he was continuing his throwing program without any pain, which was a good sign. Westbrook is scheduled to pitch again on December 6^th and throw three innings or 45 pitches. If everything goes well, he should stay with Ponce through December 17^th.

Westbrook does not care if he is the ace or the fifth starter, as long as he is back pitching in the big leagues in 2010. Indians fans are hoping he can solidify the young pitching staff to help the Tribe compete for the American League Central title.

Tags:

Cleveland Indians, Jake Westbrook, Puerto Rican Winter League