Winter League Participants, Updates

[Mass Haas]

In case you're wondering, Brendan Katin has been idle for a week now in Mexico, likely back home, maybe to return? The comings and goings make for a lot of the unknown in winter ball, that's for sure...

[Mass Haas]

LHP Efrain Nieves (hard to believe he's still only 20 years old, almost 21) made his debut start for San Juan in Puerto Rico, and it was a nice one. In fact, the only run he allowed in his 4.1 innings crossed the plate after his departure in his team's 2-1 loss.

 

4.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 6-to-3 GB/FO

 

Caguas Bottom of the 1st

• Luis Figueroa doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Jorge Padilla.
  
• Andy Gonzalez flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.
  
• Ramon Vazquez called out on strikes.
  
• Aaron Bates walks.
  
• With Gregory Porter batting, wild pitch by Efrain Nieves, Luis Figueroa to 3rd. Aaron Bates to 2nd.
  
• Gregory Porter grounds out, third baseman Phillip Cuadrado to first baseman Clint Robinson.

Caguas Bottom of the 2nd

• Edgardo Baez flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.
  
• Brahiam Maldonado called out on strikes.
  
• Omir Santos grounds out, third baseman Phillip Cuadrado to first baseman Clint Robinson.

Caguas Bottom of the 3rd

• Antonio Jimenez singles on a line drive to left fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Luis Figueroa grounds into double play, third baseman Phillip Cuadrado to second baseman Hector Pellot to first baseman Clint Robinson. Antonio Jimenez out at 2nd.
  
• Andy Gonzalez called out on strikes.

Caguas Bottom of the 4th

• Ramon Vazquez flies out to left fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Aaron Bates grounds out, third baseman Phillip Cuadrado to first baseman Clint Robinson.
  
• Gregory Porter grounds out to first baseman Clint Robinson.

Caguas Bottom of the 5th

• Edgardo Baez called out on strikes.
  
• Brahiam Maldonado walks.
  
• Omir Santos singles on a fly ball to center fielder Jarrod Dyson. Brahiam Maldonado to 2nd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Brett Harker replaces Efrain Nieves.
  
• Antonio Jimenez strikes out swinging.
  
• Luis Figueroa singles on a ground ball to second baseman Hector Pellot. Brahiam Maldonado scores. Omir Santos to 2nd.
  
• Andy Gonzalez flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.

Nieves' struggles with the Timber Rattlers the past two seasons sure have been frustrating to fans, and probably himself.

[Mass Haas]

RHP Hiram Burgos made his 2nd PRWL appearance in three days, stranding a baserunner of Bill Pulsipher, of all people, in his squad's 3-2 win --

 

San Juan Bottom of the 6th

• Jesus Feliciano hit by pitch.
  
• Josh Fields flies out to right fielder Bobby Kielty.
  
• Pitcher Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Bill Pulsipher.
  
• With Jorge Padilla batting, wild pitch by Hiram Burgos, Jesus Feliciano to 3rd.
  
• Jorge Padilla walks.
  
• Phillip Cuadrado strikes out swinging.
  
• Paulo Orlando grounds into a force out, third baseman Jorge Jimenez to second baseman Irving Falu. Jorge Padilla out at 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

Carlos Gomez' season-to-date can be viewed here.

[CheezWizHed]

stranding a baserunner of Bill Pulsipher

 

At age 37 and this stage of his career, I doubt he is playing with the attempt to make a MLB comeback. I always cheer for guys that play just to play (granted, I realize its a paycheck also...).

[Mass Haas]

Add 23-year-old Brevard County utilityman Sergio Miranda to the list of those participating. He's in Puerto Rico, 1-for-3 with a walk in his first game.

[Mass Haas]

Impressive four-inning start for RHP Darren Byrd in Puerto Rico Friday in his team's 6-0 win -- no runs, three hits, 1 BB, 2 K's, 6-to-3 GB/FO:

 

Caguas Top of the 1st

• Luis Figueroa flies out to center fielder Bobby Kielty.
  
• Andy Gonzalez grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Edwards Guzman.
  
• Ramon Vazquez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Bobby Kielty.
  
• Aaron Bates lines out to third baseman Jorge Jimenez.

Caguas Top of the 2nd

• Gregory Porter grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Edwards Guzman.
  
• Edgardo Baez walks.
  
• Brahiam Maldonado called out on strikes.
  
• Jose Castro grounds out to first baseman Edwards Guzman.

Caguas Top of the 3rd

• Antonio Jimenez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Felix Molina.
  
• Luis Figueroa flies out to right fielder Michael Hernandez.
  
• Andy Gonzalez flies out to center fielder Bobby Kielty.
  
• Ramon Vazquez grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Edwards Guzman.

Caguas Top of the 4th

• Aaron Bates strikes out swinging.
  
• Gregory Porter singles on a ground ball to right fielder Michael Hernandez.
  
• Edgardo Baez grounds into double play, shortstop Felix Molina to second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Edwards Guzman. Gregory Porter out at 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

The only other Friday winter ball participant was Carlos Gomez, 2-for-3 with a HBP at the plate, 1-for-3 on the basepaths (CS once, picked off once) in his team's 4-3 win. His stats after five games here.

[Mass Haas]

Carlos Gomez and Sergio Miranda participated in games both Saturday and Sunday. Their stat pages are at the links. Gomez tripled Sunday and will probably put up monster numbers this winter (.986 OPS for now with adventures on the basepaths).

[Mass Haas]

LHP Efrain Nieves is preparing for his 21st birthday on the 15th in style. His second Puerto Rican League start was even better than his successful first -- 6 IP, 2 H, zero BB, four K's for the victory. Box score

 

Ponce Top of the 1st

• Danny Espinosa pops out to second baseman Sergio Miranda.
  
• Hiram Bocachica flies out to center fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Chris Marrero called out on strikes.

Ponce Top of the 2nd

• Carlos Rivera flies out to center fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Robinson Cancel pops out to catcher Rene Rivera in foul territory.
  
• Raul Gonzalez grounds out, shortstop Radames Nazario to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado.

Ponce Top of the 3rd

• Gabriel Martinez grounds out, second baseman Sergio Miranda to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado.
  
• Angel Morales called out on strikes.
  
• Enrique Hernandez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Paulo Orlando.
  
• Danny Espinosa grounds into a force out, third baseman Josh Fields to second baseman Sergio Miranda. Enrique Hernandez out at 2nd.

Ponce Top of the 4th

• Hiram Bocachica pops out to second baseman Sergio Miranda.
  
• Chris Marrero grounds out, shortstop Radames Nazario to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado.
  
• Carlos Rivera flies out to right fielder Jorge Padilla.

Ponce Top of the 5th

• Robinson Cancel flies out to right fielder Jorge Padilla.
  
• Raul Gonzalez flies out to center fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Gabriel Martinez grounds out, shortstop Radames Nazario to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado.

Ponce Top of the 6th

• Angel Morales called out on strikes.
  
• Enrique Hernandez grounds out, shortstop Radames Nazario to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado.
  
• Danny Espinosa doubles (2) on a ground ball to left fielder Paulo Orlando.
  
• Hiram Bocachica called out on strikes.

Pretty impressive line after two starts.

[Mass Haas]

Nice job also by RHP Hiram Burgos in Puerto Rico, relief stint in which he came on with none out and stranded an inherited runner -- 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 balk -- his team lost, 3-2

Carolina Top of the 4th

• Pedro Valdes homers (2) on a fly ball to right field.
• Jerad Head hit by pitch.
• Pitcher Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Angel Garcia.
• Johnny Monell called out on strikes.
• Luis Matos pops out to second baseman Chris Amador.
• Jose Velazquez called out on strikes.

Carolina Top of the 5th

• Danny Gonzalez singles on a ground ball to pitcher Hiram Burgos.
• Dee Gordon out on a sacrifice bunt to pitcher Hiram Burgos. Danny Gonzalez to 2nd.
• With Brad Coon batting, Danny Gonzalez advances to 3rd on a balk.
• Brad Coon singles on a ground ball to center fielder Daniel Ortiz. Danny Gonzalez scores.
• Ruben Gotay grounds out, first baseman Edwards Guzman to pitcher Hiram Burgos. Brad Coon to 2nd.
• Hiram Burgos intentionally walks Pedro Valdes.
• Jerad Head called out on strikes.

Carolina Top of the 6th

• Johnny Monell grounds out, second baseman Chris Amador to first baseman Edwards Guzman.
• Luis Matos flies out to left fielder Doug Deeds.
• Jose Velazquez grounds out, second baseman Chris Amador to first baseman Edwards Guzman.

Burgos' line after three relief appearances

[Mass Haas]

Carlos Gomez and Sergio Miranda participated in games both Saturday and Sunday. Their stat pages are at the links. Gomez tripled Sunday and will probably put up monster numbers this winter (.986 OPS for now with adventures on the basepaths).

Click on those links above for updated stats, the two combined to go 0-for-7 on Tuesday, although Gomez did walk. Miranda also played on Monday the 1st.

[Mass Haas]

Looks like RHP Josh Butler lost his starting gig in Mexico, but he did get the win with a perfect 6th inning Tuesday (box).

[Mass Haas]

We had ignored his work in the Puerto Rico Winter League up to this point, but with catcher Martin Maldonado now on the Brewer 40-man roster, we'll remind you about his 2010, year-by-year, and current winter league stats via his MiLB.com player page link.

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's winter ballers who saw action -- links to their stat pages, including last night's lines --

 

Carlos Gomez 0-for-3 with another caught stealing, now 2-for-5 in that category, Erick Almonte 0-for-4 with one K, Sergio Miranda 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI

[Mass Haas]

Josh Butler (stat page) made a 5th appearance in Mexico, his 4th as a starter, and his squad was likely looking for more than two innings (three runs). He's 0-4 in his four starts, 9.60 ERA in those starts. BOX

2 IP, 5 H, 3 R (all in the 1st), zero BB, 1 K

[Mass Haas]

SS Luis Cruz made his Mexican League debut Friday (0-for-2), but also made comments (which I'm sure we'll later find out were misconstrued in the translation) being discussed in the Major League Forum.

 

Sergio Miranda 1-for-4, Martin Maldonado 1-for-3 with a K (stats pages linked) in winter ball Friday.

[Mass Haas]

Here was our initial post when we reported back on June 28th that RHP Darren Byrd was signed, for some background.

 

If you combine his two Puerto Rican League starts, you get a five-hit complete game shutout with two walks, four K's.

 

Here's his effort from Friday (box score, Martin Maldonado his catcher), four ground ball outs, nine in the air, but very effective, obviously, just two hits, one walk, just those three over the minimum in his five frames --

 

San Juan Bottom of the 1st

• Jarrod Dyson flies out to center fielder Eddie Rosario.
  
• Sergio Miranda flies out to center fielder Eddie Rosario.
  
• Jesus Feliciano grounds out to first baseman Raul Casanova.

San Juan Bottom of the 2nd

• Josh Fields flies out to right fielder Johan Limonta.
  
• Jorge Padilla grounds out, shortstop Irving Falu to first baseman Raul Casanova.
  
• Alex Fernandez pops out to third baseman Jorge Jimenez in foul territory.

San Juan Bottom of the 3rd

• Phillip Cuadrado flies out to right fielder Johan Limonta.
  
• Rene Rivera strikes out swinging.
  
• Edwin Maysonet flies out to right fielder Johan Limonta.

San Juan Bottom of the 4th

• Jarrod Dyson grounds out, shortstop Irving Falu to first baseman Raul Casanova.
  
• Sergio Miranda singles on a ground ball to right fielder Johan Limonta.
  
• Jesus Feliciano flies out to left fielder Bobby Kielty.
  
• Josh Fields singles on a ground ball to center fielder Eddie Rosario. Sergio Miranda to 2nd.
  
• Jorge Padilla grounds out, shortstop Irving Falu to first baseman Raul Casanova.

San Juan Bottom of the 5th

• Alex Fernandez pops out to catcher Martin Maldonado.
  
• Phillip Cuadrado walks.
  
• Rene Rivera called out on strikes.
  
• Edwin Maysonet flies out to center fielder Eddie Rosario.

[Mass Haas]

Gomez and Almonte your lone winter league participants Saturday, it appears.

[Mass Haas]

LHP Efrain Nieves (stats page) made his 3rd Puerto Rico League start, it didn't go quite as well as his first two -- he allowed single runs in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings, victimized by several ground ball singles in the 2nd and 3rd, then walking three consecutive in the 4th. Among those he faced was Sergio Miranda (stats page), who went 0-for-4 and committed an error at second base in the game.

 

4 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 0 K, 6/6 GB/FO, 1 WP

 

Caguas Top of the 1st

• Helder Velazquez grounds out, shortstop Edwin Maysonet to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado.
  
• Luis Figueroa pops out to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado in foul territory.
  
• Ramon Vazquez grounds out, pitcher Efrain Nieves to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado.

Caguas Top of the 2nd

• Javier Valentin singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Edgardo Baez walks. Javier Valentin to 2nd.
  
• Omir Santos flies out to right fielder Jorge Padilla.
  
• Andy Gonzalez flies out to center fielder Jesus Feliciano. Javier Valentin to 3rd.
  
• Brahiam Maldonado singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jarrod Dyson. Javier Valentin scores. Edgardo Baez to 2nd.
  
• With Antonio Jimenez batting, wild pitch by Efrain Nieves, Edgardo Baez to 3rd. Brahiam Maldonado to 2nd.
  
• Antonio Jimenez grounds out, third baseman Josh Fields to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado.

Caguas Top of the 3rd

• Helder Velazquez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jarrod Dyson.
  
• Luis Figueroa grounds into a force out, second baseman Sergio Miranda to shortstop Edwin Maysonet. Helder Velazquez out at 2nd. Luis Figueroa to 1st.
  
• Ramon Vazquez singles on a ground ball to third baseman Josh Fields. Luis Figueroa to 2nd.
  
• Javier Valentin grounds into a force out, third baseman Josh Fields to second baseman Sergio Miranda. Luis Figueroa scores. Ramon Vazquez out at 2nd. Javier Valentin advances to 1st, on throwing error by second baseman Sergio Miranda.
  
• Edgardo Baez grounds out, shortstop Edwin Maysonet to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado.

Caguas Top of the 4th

• Omir Santos flies out to left fielder Jarrod Dyson.
  
• Andy Gonzalez walks.
  
• Brahiam Maldonado walks. Andy Gonzalez to 2nd.
  
• Antonio Jimenez walks. Andy Gonzalez to 3rd. Brahiam Maldonado to 2nd.
  
• Helder Velazquez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Jesus Feliciano. Andy Gonzalez scores. Brahiam Maldonado to 3rd. Antonio Jimenez to 2nd.
  
• Luis Figueroa flies out to center fielder Jesus Feliciano.

Erick Almonte (0-for-4), Martin Maldonado (0-for-2), Luis Cruz (1-for-4, double, RBI), Carlos Gomez (1-for-5, R, 2 K), also plied their wares in three leagues between them Sunday, their stat pages are linked.

[Mass Haas]

Erick Almonte (1-for-4, 2 K's), Carlos Gomez (0-for-3), and Sergio Miranda (2-for-3, triple, walk, CS) saw action Monday.

[Mass Haas]

Usual cast of characters in Tuesday's action -- Almonte, Gomez, Cruz, and Miranda each reached base at least twice, and their November 9th lines can be found on their linked stat pages. No pitching updates.

[Mass Haas]

Almonte, Gomez, and Cruz in action on Wednesday. Each with quiet but not completely empty stat lines for the 10th, available at the links. Another day for idle pitchers.

[Mass Haas]

Not the most scintillating winter ball season, getting a bit repetitive name-wise--

 

Erick Almonte (1-for-4, HR, BB, 2 R, 3 RBI, --- 1st extra-base hit in 51 AB's)

Carlos Gomez, (0-for-4, BB, --- .231 / .344 / .327 in 52 AB's)

 

Luis Cruz, (1-for-5, RBI, K --- 4-for-25, three doubles, 1 K)

 

Sergio Miranda (3-for-5, RBI, K --- .809 OPS in 42 AB's, 11-for-his-last-24)

 

Almonte and Gomez in the D.R., Cruz in Mexico, Miranda in Puerto Rico.

 

Again no pitching. We miss Darren Byrd.

[TooLiveBrew]

I'm definitely nearing 100% on the opinion that Carlos Gomez is a complete lost cause. So frustrating.