Winter League Participants, Updates

[Mass Haas]

This thread will focus on the exploits of Brewer farmhands in the Mexican, Venezuelan, Dominican, and Puerto Rico Winter Leagues. Players who are due to become minor league free agents this month (such as Ray Olmedo, Sam Narron) won't be included.

 

Mexican Pacific League
Opening Day	10/12/2010
Second half begins	11/23/2010
Regular season ends	12/30/2010
Dominican Winter League
Opening Day	10/22/2010
DWL All Star Game	12/12/2010
Regular season ends	12/21/2010
Venezuelan Winter League
Opening Day	10/12/2010
All-Star Game	11/30/2010
Regular Season ends	12/30/2010
Playoffs begin	01/02/2011
Puerto Rican League
Opening Day	10/22/2010
Caribbean Series
Begins	02/02/2011
Ends	02/07/2011

Mexican League:

 

OF Brendan Katin is on the Aguilas de Mexicali squad

 

RHP Josh Butler is on the Naranjeros de Hermosillo squad

 

Two Mexican League team rosters are yet to appear online.

 

Venezuelan League:

 

C Anderson De La Rosa is on the Cardenales de Lara

 

One Venezuelan League team roster is yet to appear online.

 

As the other leagues get underway, players are added, free agents are signed, we'll provide updates. Stat updates within the thread likely won't be daily, but once or twice a week, unless circumstances warrant.

[Mass Haas]

Brendan Katin 0-for-4 with 3 K's and a HBP in his opener.

[CheezWizHed]

I'm wondering if these winter leagues are the main baseball season for these Latin American teams? Or do they treat it as a developmental league also?

[TooLiveBrew]

Unfortunately, Escobar will be playing winter league ball as well. Link

 

With Sveum's tips in tow, Escobar will report for duty in the Venezuelan Winter League around Nov. 20.

[logan82]

Crap, I hate seeing our daily players participating in winter leagues instead of resting and getting ready for next season.

[TooLiveBrew]

Can't remember if it was TheCrew07 or X ellence who'd said earlier this season that he'd flip out if Escobar plays winter ball again instead of hitting the weights this offseason. I'd really like to see Alcides add some muscle, too.

[TheCrew07]

That was me... what absolute garbage this is. Sometimes the best cure for a player is some time away. I appreciate his work ethic, I do, but if the organization is behind this winter ball thing again I'm rapidly losing faith. He already dominated winter ball last year and that didn't help him during the 2010 season, what good is going back going to do him? He's not a sub .250 hitter, he just never got on an extended hot streak this season and my negative opinion on Macha's handling of him hasn't changed at all. A manager or coach simply cannot pull a young player every single time they struggle, or in Escobar's case every time he went 0-10, that's no way to build confidence which is at least as important as the physical tools a given player may possess.

 

I watched some of the playoffs the other night at my brother's restraunt and saw Andrus for the first time in a year... while Andrus is filling out his frame, Escobar is remaining a toothpick... who was the better player this season? Who's likely going to be the better player next season? The Brewers need to start worry more about building better athletes and less about running players into the ground expecting them to play baseball 12 months a year.

 

There's more to this hitting thing than just getting ABs against inferior competition.

[logan82]

Is this something the Brewers pushed for or Escobar wants to do on his own?

[TooLiveBrew]

I appreciate his work ethic, I do, but if the organization is behind this winter ball thing again I'm rapidly losing faith. He already dominated winter ball last year and that didn't help him during the 2010 season, what good is going back going to do him?

 

I remember hearing (iirc) BA talk on one of the broadcasts this season about how big winter ball is in the Latin American countries. I hope the decision was Alcides's, because I agree if it's the organization that it's disappointing. It's disappointing in any event, but I'd rather have it be disappointing on an individual player basis than organization-wide.

[logan82]

I seem to remember early in the season Macha saying he was giving Escobar days off because he was tired from playing winter ball. I also remember the talk about winter ball being almost more important to some players than playing in the majors.

 

Typically the only players playing winter ball or in the fall leagues for the Brewers are guys who missed a lot of time because of injury or players who are close to the majors getting a few more at bats. I have to imagine this is Escobar's decision.

[Mass Haas]

Brendan Katin doubled in four trips Thursday, fanning twice and committing one error in RF (five K's in eight AB's as the rust gets knocked off). Katin turns 28 in January, as these may be big AB's for him prior to December's Rule 5. RH pop can be a nice commodity off someone's bench.

 

Katin's club lost 19-1 with former Brewer farmhand LHP Brian Mazone taking the loss. Katin's teammate Jacob Blackwood (recent indy league signee by San Francisco) had four errors at third base, all throwing.

[Mass Haas]

Josh Butler (26 years old in December) made his first Mexican League start and had the ground ball working (10-to-1 ratio) but took the loss (4.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 K, two of his baserunners scored after his departure in the 5th, 7-4 was the final) --

 

Mochis Bottom of the 1st

• Justin Christian singles on a ground ball to left fielder Emil Brown.
  
• Ivan Terrazas grounds out, third baseman Walter Ibarra to first baseman Humberto Cota. Justin Christian to 2nd.
  
• Sandy Madera grounds out, shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval to first baseman Humberto Cota. Justin Christian to 3rd.
  
• Carlos Sievers grounds out, second baseman Carlos Gastelum to first baseman Humberto Cota.

Mochis Bottom of the 2nd

• Nelson Teilon singles on a line drive to left fielder Emil Brown.
  
• Luis Suarez walks. Nelson Teilon to 2nd.
  
• Ramon Orantes doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Luis A. Garcia. Nelson Teilon scores. Luis Suarez to 3rd.
  
• Mario Santana grounds out, second baseman Carlos Gastelum to first baseman Humberto Cota. Luis Suarez scores. Ramon Orantes to 3rd.
  
• Juan Carlos Gamboa grounds out to first baseman Humberto Cota.
  
• Justin Christian grounds out, shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval to first baseman Humberto Cota.

Mochis Bottom of the 3rd

• Ivan Terrazas walks.
  
• Sandy Madera grounds into double play, second baseman Carlos Gastelum to shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval to first baseman Humberto Cota. Ivan Terrazas out at 2nd.
  
• Carlos Sievers singles on a fly ball to right fielder Luis A. Garcia.
  
• Nelson Teilon singles on a ground ball to center fielder Chris Roberson. Carlos Sievers to 2nd.
  
• Luis Suarez strikes out swinging.

Mochis Bottom of the 4th

• Ramon Orantes flies out to right fielder Luis A. Garcia.
  
• Mario Santana strikes out swinging.
  
• Juan Carlos Gamboa grounds out, second baseman Carlos Gastelum to first baseman Humberto Cota.

Mochis Bottom of the 5th

• Justin Christian grounds out, shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval to first baseman Humberto Cota.
  
• Ivan Terrazas singles on a line drive to center fielder Chris Roberson.
  
• Sandy Madera singles on a line drive to right fielder Luis A. Garcia. Ivan Terrazas to 3rd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Jesus A. Castillo replaces Josh Butler.
  
• Carlos Sievers singles on a line drive to right fielder Luis A. Garcia. Ivan Terrazas scores. Sandy Madera to 3rd.
  
• Nelson Teilon out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Emil Brown. Sandy Madera scores.
  
• Luis Suarez strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

Brendan Katin homered to center field, walked, fanned twice, and flew out in his five trips to the plate on Friday, in an 11-8 win for his Mexican league squad. He's 2-for-12 after three games with seven K's, but with both hits going for extra bases. Strong dude...

[Mass Haas]

Game # 4 for Brendan Katin in Mexico:

- RBI fly ball single to center in a four-run Mexicali first inning

- Committed his 2nd RF fielding error in the early going in the first, no harm

- Sacrifice fly to center in a four-run Mexicali 2nd inning, 2nd RBI of the game

- Struck out swinging in the 5th

- Struck out swinging in the 7th

- Singled on a fly ball to right in the 9th

 

2-for-4 with a sac fly, two RBI

[Mass Haas]

Again hitting cleanup, RF Brendan Katin with a four-game hitting streak now -- single and walk in four plate appearances Sunday.

 

Mexican League idle Monday...

[Mass Haas]

An eventful Tuesday for RF Brendan Katin -- 1-for-4 with an HBP, three runs scored, a throwing error -- hit 6th in the lineup. Team lost, 7-6 (box).

[CheezWizHed]

Brendan, whats with all the singles? That isn't one of the 3TO! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[Mass Haas]

Josh Butler made his second start Wednesday, allowing three runs in four innings in a 3-0 loss (4 H, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 5/3 GB/FB).

 

Obregon Top of the 1st

• Jeff Salazar singles on a ground ball to center fielder Chris Roberson.
  
• With Sergio Perez batting, passed ball by Geronimo Gil, Jeff Salazar to 2nd.
  
• Sergio Perez grounds out, pitcher Josh Butler to first baseman Humberto Cota.
  
• Agustin Murillo called out on strikes.
  
• Iker Franco grounds out, shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval to first baseman Humberto Cota.

Obregon Top of the 2nd

• Mario Valdez homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.
  
• Albino Contreras walks.
  
• Leobardo Arauz walks. Albino Contreras to 2nd.
  
• Adan Velazquez out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Josh Butler to second baseman Carlos Gastelum. Albino Contreras to 3rd. Leobardo Arauz to 2nd.
  
• Flavio Romero grounds out, second baseman Carlos Gastelum to first baseman Humberto Cota. Albino Contreras scores. Leobardo Arauz to 3rd.
  
• Jeff Salazar strikes out swinging.

Obregon Top of the 3rd

• Sergio Perez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Chris Roberson.
  
• With Agustin Murillo batting, Sergio Perez steals (1) 2nd base.
  
• Agustin Murillo singles on a line drive to right fielder Luis A. Garcia. Sergio Perez scores.
  
• With Iker Franco batting, passed ball by Geronimo Gil, Agustin Murillo to 2nd.
  
• Iker Franco grounds out, second baseman Carlos Gastelum to first baseman Humberto Cota. Agustin Murillo to 3rd.
  
• Mario Valdez called out on strikes.
  
• Albino Contreras pops out to second baseman Carlos Gastelum.

Obregon Top of the 4th

• Leobardo Arauz flies out to center fielder Chris Roberson.
  
• Adan Velazquez walks.
  
• Flavio Romero strikes out swinging.
  
• Jeff Salazar pops out to second baseman Carlos Gastelum.

[Mass Haas]

Just an FYI -- the Dominican and Puerto Rico leagues get underway today (Friday), rosters should be available tonight.

 

Also, Brevard County utilityman Juan Sanchez, the 22-year-old native Venezuelan, is listed on a Venezuela team roster (incorrectly as a pitcher), but like catcher Anderson De La Rosa, is yet to appear in a game.

 

The Dominican League in particular, is notorious for huge full season rosters with many players "popping in" and taking part at various points in the season.

 

Brendan Katin had a 2nd consecutive day off Thursday in Mexico.

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County RHP Darren Byrd, who turns 24 this week, is slated to play for Indios de Mayaguez in the Puerto Rico Winter League. Catcher Martin Maldonado is as well, but we believe he'll be a minor league free agent, like so many others, five days after the completion of the World Series.

[Mass Haas]

Prized RHP's Amaury Rivas and Wily Peralta are on the roster of Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League. It remains to be seen how much action they will see.

 

OF Carlos Gomez made his debut in his Dominican team's season opener Friday night -- doubled and walked in five trips, playing CF and batting 5th.

[Mass Haas]

As expected, the two relatively high draft pick pitchers out of Puerto Rico are taking part in winter ball again this year. RHP Hiram Burgos, last year's Rookie Pitcher of the PWL, joins Darren Byrd (prior post) on Indios de Mayaguez.

 

LHP Efrain Nieves will be toiling for Senadores de San Juan.

 

***

 

IF Allixon Cequea, who was suspended for PED use from the DSL team this summer, is on the roster of Caribes de Anzoategui in the Venezuelan Winter League.

 

 

[Mass Haas]

RHP Darren Byrd had a semi-spectacular Puerto Rican League debut Sunday as he inherited a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the 3rd inning. Here's how you make friends right away:

 

Caguas Top of the 3rd

• Andy Gonzalez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Michael Hernandez.
  
• Ramon Vazquez singles on a line drive to pitcher Steve Hirschfeld. Andy Gonzalez to 2nd.
  
• Aaron Bates hit by pitch. Andy Gonzalez to 3rd. Ramon Vazquez to 2nd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Hector Hernandez replaces Steve Hirschfeld.
  
• Gregory Porter called out on strikes.
  
• Pitcher Change: Darren Byrd replaces Hector Hernandez.
  
• Edgardo Baez strikes out swinging.
  
• Brahiam Maldonado strikes out swinging.

Unfortunately for Byrd, his next inning didn't go quite as well, although it didn't appear he was crushed. But, four runs allowed is four runs allowed, and actually, two of his runners were stranded, so it could have been uglier:

 

Caguas Top of the 4th

• Jose Castro grounds out, third baseman Jorge Jimenez to first baseman Johan Limonta.
  
• Antonio Jimenez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Doug Deeds.
  
• Luis Figueroa walks. Antonio Jimenez to 2nd.
  
• Andy Gonzalez singles on a line drive to right fielder Doug Deeds. Antonio Jimenez scores. Luis Figueroa to 3rd. Andy Gonzalez to 2nd on the throw.
  
• Darren Byrd intentionally walks Ramon Vazquez.
  
• Aaron Bates out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Doug Deeds. Luis Figueroa scores. Andy Gonzalez to 3rd.
  
• Gregory Porter singles on a line drive to left fielder Michael Hernandez. Andy Gonzalez scores. Ramon Vazquez to 2nd.
  
• Edgardo Baez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Bobby Kielty. Ramon Vazquez scores. Gregory Porter to 2nd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Miguel Negron replaces Darren Byrd.
  
• Brahiam Maldonado walks. Gregory Porter to 3rd. Edgardo Baez to 2nd.
  
• Jose Castro grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Johan Limonta.

Byrd's team fell, 6-5 (box).

[Mass Haas]

Josh Butler falls to 0-3 -- we'll see how much longer Hermosillo will run him out there as a starter, sometimes the locals get a bit anxious, Butler's squad fell, 7-0

Butler's line -- 4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 1 BB, 0 , 1 HR, 1 WP -- he did manage 11 ground ball outs among the 14 he retired.

Josh's best work has come in odd-numbered years (career stats), so maybe that bodes well for 2011, because 2008 was somewhat ugly and 2010 was middling at best. His Power 50 ranking of 25 is almost purely based on 2009, and as a nod to his 40-man roster status. I'm guessing most readers here have very tempered expectations...

Navojoa Bottom of the 1st

• Matt Young grounds out, second baseman Carlos Gastelum to first baseman Luis A. Garcia.
• Francisco Arias singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ramon Ramirez.
• Abel Martinez grounds into double play, second baseman Carlos Gastelum to shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval to first baseman Luis A. Garcia. Francisco Arias out at 2nd.

Navojoa Bottom of the 2nd

• Adan Munoz grounds out, second baseman Carlos Gastelum to first baseman Luis A. Garcia.
• Jose Macias doubles (2) on a line drive to center fielder Chris Roberson.
• Alejandro Gonzalez walks.
• Sergio Contreras grounds out, second baseman Carlos Gastelum to first baseman Luis A. Garcia. Jose Macias to 3rd. Alejandro Gonzalez to 2nd.
• Rolando Acosta homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Jose Macias scores. Alejandro Gonzalez scores.
• Miguel Torrero reaches on fielding error by shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval.
• Matt Young grounds out, second baseman Carlos Gastelum to first baseman Luis A. Garcia.

Navojoa Bottom of the 3rd

• Francisco Arias grounds out, shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval to first baseman Luis A. Garcia.
• Abel Martinez flies out to right fielder Ramon Ramirez.
• Adan Munoz grounds out, shortstop Jose Luis Sandoval to first baseman Luis A. Garcia.

Navojoa Bottom of the 4th

• Jose Macias reaches on fielding error by first baseman Luis A. Garcia.
• Alejandro Gonzalez flies out to left fielder Emil Brown.
• Sergio Contreras grounds into double play, second baseman Carlos Gastelum to first baseman Luis A. Garcia. Jose Macias out at 2nd.

Navojoa Bottom of the 5th

• Rolando Acosta singles on a line drive to right fielder Ramon Ramirez.
• Miguel Torrero out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Luis A. Garcia. Rolando Acosta to 2nd.
• Matt Young singles on a fly ball to left fielder Emil Brown. Rolando Acosta to 3rd.
• Francisco Arias out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Ramon Ramirez. Rolando Acosta scores. Matt Young to 2nd.
• Abel Martinez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Chris Roberson. Matt Young scores. Abel Martinez to 2nd on the throw.
• With Adan Munoz batting, wild pitch by Josh Butler, Abel Martinez to 3rd.
• Adan Munoz singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ramon Ramirez. Abel Martinez scores.
• Pitcher Change: Jesus A. Castillo replaces Josh Butler.
• Jose Macias strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

RHP Hiram Burgos made his 2010 Puerto Rico League debut in his club's 10-8 loss, tossing a scoreless inning of relief, facing five batters --

 

Carolina Top of the 9th

• Chris Amador remains in the game as the designated hitter.
  
• Pitcher Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Nelvin Fuentes.
  
• Pedro Valdes flies out to right fielder Michael Hernandez.
  
• Jerad Head flies out to center fielder Bobby Kielty.
  
• Johnny Monell walks.
  
• Jose Velazquez doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Doug Deeds. Johnny Monell to 3rd.
  
• Luis Mateo called out on strikes.