Winter League Participants, Updates

[greeg35]

Don't worry, he'll be hitting leadoff and stealing at every opportunity in our new "aggressive" lineup. I hope I'm kidding.

[TooLiveBrew]

Man, I sure hope you are too. I have to try harder to not pre-judge Roenicke, but lineup possibilities scare me here.

[logan82]

Man, I sure hope you are too. I have to try harder to not pre-judge Roenicke, but lineup possibilities scare me here.

Gomez leading off and Escobar #2. Wohoo, shooting yourself in the foot is awesome.

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

I hit that point sometime in mid-July.

[Mass Haas]

Pitching on normal four days' rest, LHP Efrain Nieves (stat page) made his 4th start in Puerto Rico, and after a 1-2-3 first inning, he couldn't get out of the 2nd, surrendering five runs -- final line in the game which his team lost, 9-3 (box): 1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 BB, 1 K. Nieves turns 21 this Monday.

 

Caguas Top of the 1st

• Alex Cora grounds out, first baseman Phillip Cuadrado to pitcher Efrain Nieves.
  
• Luis Figueroa pops out to shortstop Edwin Maysonet.
  
• Edgardo Baez called out on strikes.

Caguas Top of the 2nd

• Gregory Porter singles on a fly ball to left fielder Alex Fernandez.
  
• Aaron Bates walks. Gregory Porter to 2nd.
  
• Omir Santos singles on a line drive to center fielder Jarrod Dyson. Gregory Porter to 3rd. Aaron Bates to 2nd.
  
• Andy Gonzalez walks. Gregory Porter scores. Aaron Bates to 3rd. Omir Santos to 2nd.
  
• Helder Velazquez doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Alex Fernandez. Aaron Bates scores. Omir Santos scores. Andy Gonzalez to 3rd.
  
• Julio Rivera lines out to right fielder Jorge Padilla.
  
• Alex Cora grounds out, second baseman Sergio Miranda to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado. Andy Gonzalez scores. Helder Velazquez to 3rd.
  
• Luis Figueroa singles on a fly ball to left fielder Alex Fernandez. Helder Velazquez scores.
  
• Pitcher Change: Raymar Diaz replaces Efrain Nieves.
  
• Edgardo Baez called out on strikes.

[Mass Haas]

In the other Puerto Rican League game played on Friday, recently-turned 24-year-old RHP Darren Byrd (stats page), pitching on six days' rest, continued his strong winter season, and had a quality start but took the loss as his team fell, 5-2.

 

Byrd's line -- 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 6 K, surviving a two-run 1st in which he allowed five hits

 

As is often the case with these winter league boxes, can't seem to get the box score to load, but the recap for this one is loading --

 

Ponce Top of the 1st

• Danny Espinosa doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Doug Deeds.
  
• Hiram Bocachica grounds out, shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Johan Limonta. Danny Espinosa to 3rd.
  
• Carlos Rivera singles on a fly ball to right fielder Bobby Kielty. Danny Espinosa scores.
  
• With Chris Marrero batting, throwing error by Raul Casanova on the pickoff attempt, Carlos Rivera to 2nd.
  
• Chris Marrero singles on a line drive to right fielder Bobby Kielty. Carlos Rivera scores.
  
• Fernando Cortez singles on a fly ball to left fielder Doug Deeds. Chris Marrero to 2nd.
  
• Alex Cintron singles on a line drive to center fielder Miguel Negron. Chris Marrero to 3rd. Fernando Cortez to 2nd.
  
• Felix Perez grounds into double play, second baseman Irving Falu to shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Johan Limonta. Alex Cintron out at 2nd.

Ponce Top of the 2nd

• Carlos Corporan flies out to right fielder Bobby Kielty.
  
• Henry Ramos homers (1) on a fly ball to right field.
  
• Danny Espinosa grounds out, shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Johan Limonta.
  
• Hiram Bocachica lines out to center fielder Miguel Negron.

Ponce Top of the 3rd

• Carlos Rivera grounds out, third baseman Jorge Jimenez to first baseman Johan Limonta.
  
• Chris Marrero grounds out, shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Johan Limonta.
  
• Fernando Cortez called out on strikes.

Ponce Top of the 4th

• Alex Cintron strikes out swinging.
  
• Felix Perez grounds out, shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Johan Limonta.
  
• Carlos Corporan called out on strikes.

Ponce Top of the 5th

• Henry Ramos strikes out swinging.
  
• Danny Espinosa strikes out swinging.
  
• Hiram Bocachica walks.
  
• Carlos Rivera pops out to first baseman Johan Limonta in foul territory.

Ponce Top of the 6th

• Chris Marrero called out on strikes.
  
• Fernando Cortez singles on a fly ball to left fielder Doug Deeds.
  
• Alex Cintron grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Johan Limonta. Fernando Cortez to 2nd.
  
• Felix Perez flies out to right fielder Bobby Kielty.

Brewer RHP Hiram Burgos (stat page) made his 4th relief appearance, relieving Byrd. This was Burgos' first game in 11 days. He worked a scoreless inning, fanning two.

 

Ponce Top of the 7th

• Pitcher Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Darren Byrd.
  
• Carlos Corporan singles on a line drive to left fielder Doug Deeds.
  
• Henry Ramos lines out to center fielder Miguel Negron.
  
• Danny Espinosa called out on strikes.
  
• Hiram Bocachica strikes out swinging, catcher Raul Casanova to first baseman Johan Limonta.

[Mass Haas]

At the plate Friday, Sergio Miranda tried to support his starter, Efrain Nieves in Puerto Rico, with two singles in four trips. Miranda, playing second base in this one, had his 4th straight multi-hit game and 5th such game in his last seven.

 

Carlos Gomez, playing RF in the Dominican in this game, reached on an error and grounded out. Then, he made a catch to end the 4th inning but was pinch-hit for in the top of the 5th. Gomez is hitting .118 in his last ten games (.456 OPS in that span). It will be interesting to see if he's back in action soon -- if he tweaked something or is more seriously injured, you wonder what and how it gets communicated back to the Brewers. Perhaps some in the organization will first learn about it here, although it remains to be seen if the reason he was lifted was for injury, but it was an odd spot to leave the game.

 

Veteran Erick Almonte, at 32 (33 in February) the 5th oldest player in the organization (Latroy Hawkins, Randy Wolf, Mark Rivera, Mike DeFelice), had a much-needed big day in the Dominican (box), falling just a triple short of the cycle. It was his 2nd consecutive game with a home run.

 

3-for-3 with a walk, run, 2 RBI

[Mass Haas]

Carlos Gomez' team did play, but he did not -- continue to follow based on the last report on him.Erick Almonte played third base in the Domincan, singled twice in four trips, and scored a run.

 

Catcher Martin Maldonado saw his first action in a week in Puerto Rico -- 1-for-2, BB, HBP, RBI; his first walk in the ten games he's played (3-for-23, seven K's).

 

Luis Cruz (now 4-for-29 in seven games) was 0-for-4 in Mexico but did have a sacrifice fly. Remember when the Brewers thought they had something in RHP Francisco Campos (stats), who was on the 40-man back in 2003? The Brewers would always loan him to a Mexican League team each summer so he could pitch at home. Still going and soon to be 38, he got the win in Cruz's game. Of course, many of these games are littered with past Brewer remnants, that one just seemed to stick out for the moment.

 

Sergio Miranda was 1-for-6 in his team's 13-inning Puerto Rican League 2-1 loss.

[Mass Haas]

Alcides Escobar made his 2010 winter league debut in Venezuela (stats) -- 1-for-5, double

[Mass Haas]

In his 5th Puerto Rico League appearance, RHP Hiram Burgos was asked to go for an extended stretch for the 1st time, and he threw 4.1 stellar innings of relief, stranding one inherited runner

 

4.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP

 

Ponce Top of the 2nd

• Miguel Abreu grounds out, third baseman Jorge Jimenez to first baseman Johan Limonta.
  
• Danny Espinosa hit by pitch.
  
• With Fernando Cortez batting, missed catch error by Johan Limonta on the pickoff attempt, Danny Espinosa to 2nd.
  
• Fernando Cortez pops out to third baseman Jorge Jimenez in foul territory.
  
• Pitcher Change: Hiram Burgos replaces Bobby Lanigan.
  
• Chris Marrero strikes out swinging.

Ponce Top of the 3rd

• Carlos Rivera flies out to center fielder Miguel Negron.
  
• Hiram Bocachica doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Doug Deeds.
  
• Felix Perez grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Johan Limonta. Hiram Bocachica to 3rd.
  
• Robinson Cancel strikes out swinging.

Ponce Top of the 4th

• Gabriel Martinez called out on strikes.
  
• Miguel Abreu lines out to center fielder Miguel Negron.
  
• Danny Espinosa strikes out swinging.

Ponce Top of the 5th

• Fernando Cortez pops out to second baseman Irving Falu.
  
• Chris Marrero flies out to left fielder Doug Deeds.
  
• Carlos Rivera grounds out, pitcher Hiram Burgos to first baseman Johan Limonta.

Ponce Top of the 6th

• Edwards Guzman remains in the game as the first baseman.
  
• Hiram Bocachica hit by pitch.
  
• Felix Perez grounds out, first baseman Edwards Guzman to pitcher Hiram Burgos. Hiram Bocachica to 2nd.
  
• Robinson Cancel grounds out, third baseman Jorge Jimenez to first baseman Edwards Guzman.
  
• Gabriel Martinez lines out to left fielder Doug Deeds.

[Mass Haas]

Erick Almonte, playing third base (1-for-4, R, K); Luis Cruz 0-for-2, also played third base -- that wraps up Sunday's updates.

[Mass Haas]

Switch-hitting Sergio Miranda (hint, trivia fans) had another productive day -- it appears he was the only winter league participant Monday, as Carlos Gomez and Luis Cruz remain idle since leaving games in early innings recently.

[Mass Haas]

Busy day at the plate Tuesday, including Carlos Gomez' return to action, quiet day for arms --

 

Alcides Escobar back home in Venezuela -- 0-for-5, now 1-for-10

 

Carlos Gomez -- 1-for-4, K, .224 after 58 AB's (.639 OPS)

 

Luis Cruz -- 2-for-4, including a solo HR, now 6-for-35

 

Sergio Miranda -- hot streak snapped, 0-for-4, K

 

Martin Malonado -- 0-for-2, K, now 3-for-25

 

Erick Almonte -- 1-for-3, double, .402 OBP in 65 AB's for the veteran

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday:

Carlos Gomez -- 1-for-5, 2B, 3 K's -- sigh...

 

Luis Cruz -- 2-for-4 for a second game in a row, including a double, now 8-for-39 (.205) -- only two K's, but only one walk

 

Sergio Miranda -- 2-for-4, SB, nice season thus far, but 19 of 21 hits are singles, so some luck involved

 

Martin Malonado -- 0-for-2, K, now 3-for-27

 

Erick Almonte -- 0-for-4, double, still a .384 OBP in 69 AB's for the veteran

[Mass Haas]

No decision for RHP Darren Byrd, but another solid six innings in Puerto Rico, making a statement to be entrenched in Huntsville's rotation in 2011 --

6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HBP, 9-to-5 GB/FB; Martin Maldonado his catcher

Not having sucess getting the "recap" to load...here's the box

[Mass Haas]

The deadline for Rule 5 protection is Friday, so unless guys like Taylor Green and Brendan Katin are added between now and then, they'll be eligible to be drafted away by another team.

One does have to wonder about Katin's status. He goes to Mexico to start the winter season and only appears in six games in less than a two-week stretch. Obviously these guys don't commit to winter ball for months at a time, but that stint seems pretty brief -- did he get hurt? He was effective, so he likely wasn't asked to go home. His RH power is so evident, his corner outfield glove decent enough, that's a pretty good niche on a lot of MLB benches.

 

The Brewers should at least throw a non-roster spring training invite bone his way...

The Nashville site points out that Katin has taken his game from Mexico to Venezuela, although he has yet to appear in a game for his new squad, Navegantes del Magallanes.

[Mass Haas]

Thursday --

Erick Almonte -- 1-for-4, played LF

 

Luis Cruz -- 1-for-4

 

Martin Malonado -- 0-for-2, K, now 3-for-29 -- continues to split catching in-game catching duties most appearances

 

Sergio Miranda -- 2-for-4, 2B, BB, R, keeping busy in Puerto Rico (16-for-his-last-37, by the way)

[Mass Haas]

LHP Efrain Nieves (stats page) made his 5th start in Puerto Rico, facing 20 batters over four innings for a rather pedestrian line -- all his trouble came in the 1st inning:

 

4 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 5-to-4 GB/FO

 

Nieves' squad never quite recovered and lost, 4-3 (box)

 

Ponce Bottom of the 1st

• Danny Espinosa triples (3) on a line drive to left fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Enrique Hernandez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jarrod Dyson. Danny Espinosa scores.
  
• Robinson Cancel doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Jesus Feliciano. Enrique Hernandez to 3rd.
  
• Chris Marrero singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Enrique Hernandez scores. Robinson Cancel to 3rd.
  
• Raul Gonzalez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Jarrod Dyson. Robinson Cancel scores.
  
• Angel Molina hit by pitch. Chris Marrero to 2nd.
  
• Miguel Abreu grounds into a force out, second baseman Sergio Miranda to shortstop Radames Nazario. Chris Marrero scores. Angel Molina out at 2nd. Miguel Abreu advances to 2nd, on throwing error by shortstop Radames Nazario.
  
• Iggy Suarez pops out to catcher Rene Rivera in foul territory.

Ponce Bottom of the 2nd

• Henry Ramos grounds out, shortstop Radames Nazario to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado.
  
• Danny Espinosa singles on a ground ball to second baseman Sergio Miranda.
  
• Enrique Hernandez grounds out to first baseman Phillip Cuadrado. Danny Espinosa to 2nd.
  
• Robinson Cancel flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson.

Ponce Bottom of the 3rd

• Chris Marrero singles on a line drive to left fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Raul Gonzalez singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jesus Feliciano. Chris Marrero to 2nd.
  
• Angel Molina strikes out swinging.
  
• Miguel Abreu grounds into a force out, shortstop Radames Nazario to second baseman Sergio Miranda. Chris Marrero to 3rd. Raul Gonzalez out at 2nd. Miguel Abreu to 1st.
  
• Iggy Suarez grounds into a force out, third baseman Josh Fields to second baseman Sergio Miranda. Miguel Abreu out at 2nd.

Ponce Bottom of the 4th

• Henry Ramos singles on a ground ball to second baseman Sergio Miranda.
  
• Danny Espinosa strikes out swinging and Henry Ramos caught stealing 2nd, catcher Rene Rivera to shortstop Radames Nazario.
  
• Enrique Hernandez flies out to right fielder Jorge Padilla.

[Mass Haas]

After five relief appearances with his most recent being a stellar 4.1 inning stint, RHP Hiram Burgos (stats page) was given his first Puerto Rico League start --

 

3.2 IP (two of his baserunners were stranded upon his departure), 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K, 7-to-1 GB/FB

 

Burgos' club lost, 2-1, in a seven-inning doubleheader game (box)

 

Caguas Bottom of the 1st

• Jose Castro grounds out, shortstop Felix Molina to first baseman Cesar Nicolas.
  
• Luis Figueroa walks.
  
• Edgardo Baez strikes out swinging.
  
• With Javier Valentin batting, passed ball by Edwards Guzman, Luis Figueroa to 2nd.
  
• Javier Valentin grounds out, first baseman Cesar Nicolas to pitcher Hiram Burgos.

Caguas Bottom of the 2nd

• Brahiam Maldonado doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Johan Limonta.
  
• Freddie Thon walks.
  
• Antonio Jimenez out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Hiram Burgos to second baseman Irving Falu. Brahiam Maldonado to 3rd. Freddie Thon to 2nd.
  
• Rey Navarro grounds out, shortstop Felix Molina to first baseman Cesar Nicolas. Brahiam Maldonado scores. Freddie Thon to 3rd.
  
• Alex Oliveras grounds out, shortstop Felix Molina to first baseman Cesar Nicolas.

Caguas Bottom of the 3rd

• Jose Castro lines out to first baseman Cesar Nicolas.
  
• Luis Figueroa grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Cesar Nicolas.
  
• Edgardo Baez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Johan Limonta.
  
• With Javier Valentin batting, Edgardo Baez steals (1) 2nd base.
  
• Javier Valentin strikes out swinging.

Caguas Bottom of the 4th

• Brahiam Maldonado grounds out, third baseman Jorge Jimenez to first baseman Cesar Nicolas.
  
• Freddie Thon singles on a line drive to right fielder Bobby Kielty.
  
• Antonio Jimenez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Miguel Negron. Freddie Thon to 2nd.
  
• Rey Navarro pops out to third baseman Jorge Jimenez on the infield fly rule.
  
• Pitcher Change: Benigno Cepeda replaces Hiram Burgos.
  
• Alex Oliveras strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

Carlos Gomez tripled, singled three times, walked, scored three runs, drove in one, and stole a base in his team's 8-2 Dominican League win Friday. Not a bad day at the office.

 

Alcides Escobar was 0-for-5 with an RBI in his 3rd game in Venezuela and is now 1-for-15.

 

Martin Maldonado singled and scored a run in four trips in Puerto Rico, fanning twice.

 

Continuing our Latin tour, Luis Cruz was 0-for-4 in Mexico.

 

Erick Almonte was a late sub and was 0-for-1 in his team's 12-10 win that saw 18 pitchers combined used. Those Dominican rosters (and dugouts and bullpens) must be overflowing.

[TooLiveBrew]

Alcides Escobar was 0-for-5 with an RBI in his 3rd game in Venezuela and is now 1-for-15.

Awesome. Good thing he won't waste his time this offseason getting stronger.

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's action:

 

Erick Almonte played LF, went 1-for-3 with a walk; his .717 OPS based mainly on a .379 OBP -- 18 Walks vs. 77 AB's

 

Luis Cruz was also 1-for-3 with a walk, his hit a double -- he played third base

 

IF / OF Sergio Miranda continues to impress in Puerto Rico. The switch-hitter, who turns 24 in March, played second base, and singled twice in four trips, his third consecutive multi-hit game and 4th in five contests. After 71 AB's, he has a .352 / .410 / .408 (.818 OPS) stat line. Only three of 25 hits are for extra bases, and he only slugged .362 with Brevard, so he's basically the same player he was in the regular season with a bit more luck.

 

Miranda was acquired in March of 2009 from the White Sox for "future considerations (aka, not much)", after Miranda had completed two seasons of pro ball out of Virginia Commonwealth (13th round). This June 2010 article provides some background.

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's action:

 

IF / OF Sergio Miranda -- The beat goes on. Playing second base and batting 2nd (box), three singles and two runs scored in a 3-for-4 effort (75 AB's, .853 OPS). Leads the Puerto Rico League in hitting at .373, 6th in OPS.

 

Alcides Escobar was 0-for-2 leading off in a rain-shortened game and is now 1-for-17 with no walks. Yes, he did play shortstop.

 

Luis Cruz was also 1-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, he started at third base and shifted over to second base (error while at 3B).

 

Erick Almonte played LF again, went 1-for-3 with a run scored; 2nd box score from a scheduled doubleheader not available.

[greeg35]

I'm not extremely familiar with how this league works; but how many MLB starters are over there playing? It seems weird that the Brewers would sign off on this with Escobar.

[Mass Haas]

It's possible the Brewers were swayed to sign RHP Zack Segovia partly because of his fine work in the Dominican thus far this winter.

[Mass Haas]

No Brewers in action Monday -- no games in Mexico, Venezuela, or the Dominican. Puerto Rico League Brewers idle.