Winter League Participants, Updates

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday:

Carlos Gomez has been idle since his huge day on the 19th.

Luis Cruz played second base (box), doubled and walked, scored a run, , which raised his OBP to .246 (12-for-56, 3 BB, 4 K).

Catcher Martin Maldonado also aided his poor stats with a 2-for-4 day (box).

Erick Almonte was 1-for-5 in an extra-inning loss (box). The everyman started in LF, then moved to 1B and 3B.

Sergio Miranda (really, wow), playing second base and hitting 2nd in the lineup (box), singled three times and added a sacrfice fly. He's only hitting .397 now, .488 in his last ten games, but he's been hot for longer than that. Now 31-for-78 (28 singles, seven walks, five K's).

[Mass Haas]

If RHP Darren Byrd is heading home for Thanksgiving, he's certainly earned a great meal.

 

Making his 5th start (6th appearance) for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rico League (box), Byrd was solid yet again --

 

5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 3 GB, 10 FO (Byrd does have a 0.94 GB ratio, maybe the parks are playing big down there -- he was a fly ball pitcher with Brevard as well).

 

Some nifty getting out of jams here -- all five of these innings pretty much define "high-pressure pitches", thus pulled after five:

 

Carolina Bottom of the 1st

• Dee Gordon doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Bobby Kielty.
  
• Brad Coon flies out to right fielder Bobby Kielty.
  
• Jerad Head hit by pitch.
  
• Pedro Valdes singles on a fly ball to left fielder Miguel Negron. Dee Gordon to 3rd. Jerad Head to 2nd.
  
• Edgard Clemente reaches on fielding error by third baseman Jorge Jimenez. Dee Gordon scores. Jerad Head to 3rd. Pedro Valdes to 2nd.
  
• Jeffrey Dominguez strikes out swinging.
  
• Luis Matos flies out to center fielder Norris Hopper.

Carolina Bottom of the 2nd

• Orlando Mercado singles on a ground ball to left fielder Miguel Negron.
  
• Wilberto Ortiz singles on a ground ball to pitcher Darren Byrd. Orlando Mercado to 2nd.
  
• Dee Gordon out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Martin Maldonado to first baseman Cesar Nicolas. Orlando Mercado to 3rd. Wilberto Ortiz to 2nd.
  
• Darren Byrd intentionally walks Brad Coon.
  
• Jerad Head flies out to center fielder Norris Hopper.
  
• Pedro Valdes pops out to first baseman Cesar Nicolas.

Carolina Bottom of the 3rd

• Edgard Clemente singles on a fly ball to left fielder Miguel Negron.
  
• Jeffrey Dominguez called out on strikes.
  
• Luis Matos flies out to center fielder Norris Hopper.
  
• Orlando Mercado walks. Edgard Clemente to 2nd.
  
• Wilberto Ortiz pops out to first baseman Cesar Nicolas in foul territory.

Carolina Bottom of the 4th

• Dee Gordon doubles (4) on a ground ball to center fielder Norris Hopper.
  
• Brad Coon flies out to right fielder Bobby Kielty. Dee Gordon to 3rd.
  
• Jerad Head reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Jorge Jimenez to catcher Martin Maldonado. Dee Gordon out at home.
  
• Pedro Valdes grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to pitcher Darren Byrd.

Carolina Bottom of the 5th

• Edgard Clemente flies out to center fielder Norris Hopper.
  
• Jeffrey Dominguez triples (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Bobby Kielty.
  
• Luis Matos out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Norris Hopper. Jeffrey Dominguez scores.
  
• Orlando Mercado reaches on throwing error by shortstop Angel Sanchez.
  
• Wilberto Ortiz flies out to left fielder Miguel Negron.

[Mass Haas]

After five starts, LHP Efrain Nieves made his first appearance in long relief in Puerto Rico Wednesday --

 

3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 Balk, 7-to-1 GB/FO (that's out of his norm), a reliever stranded two of his baserunners in an eventual 7-4 win (box) before, wow, 15.000 in San Juan.

 

You'll notice in that same game, Nieves' teammate, second baseman Sergio Miranda, went 3-for-5 with a double, RBI, and run scored. His league-leading batting average is now .410 (34-for-83). Miranda's .451 OBP also leads the league, and his .920 OPS is 3rd.

 

Erick Almonte, playing third base and batting cleanup (box) was 2-for-4 (double) and drove in two in the D. R.

 

In Mexico, again playing third base, Luis Cruz was also 2-for-4 (double), run, and a caught stealing (box) -- modest four-game hit streak.

 

Down in Venezuela, Alcides Escobar went 1-for-4, led off (at short, naturally), stole a base and scored a run (box) -- now 2-for-21 and still looking to take that first base on balls.

[Mass Haas]

Only Luis Cruz in Mexico, 1-for-4 with a double and a K (box), was in action Thursday. He played second base.

[Mass Haas]

Late updates from Venezuela:Alcides Escobar played both Thursday and Friday, going 2-for-5 with a SB and a CS and 0-for-4. It's going to take a while to dig out of his 4-for-30, zero walks hole.

 

Outfielder Brendan Katin made his Venezuelan debut after six earlier games in Mexico. He played LF and went 0-for-4 with two K's and a throwing error.

[Mass Haas]

Newcomer Zack Segovia is still in the Dominican and pitched a 1-2-3 9th in his team's 6-2 win:

 

Licey Bottom of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Jesus Colome.
  
• Robinzon Diaz pops out to third baseman Alex Valdez.
  
• Juan Miranda strikes out swinging.
  
• Carlos Peguero grounds out, second baseman Argenis Reyes to first baseman Chris Davis.

***

Erick Almonte had a pinch-hit RBI single in his team's 3-1 loss Friday.

[Mass Haas]

Wrapping up Friday's action, Luis Cruz singled twice and had a sacrifice bunt in a 2-for-3 day (now hitting .254), also committed a throwing error at SS, in his team's 1-0 loss in Mexico.

[Invader3K]

Disappointing to see Escobar continue to struggle so much at the plate. I know you can't count this small sample too much, but it's not exactly encouraging either.

[dadofandrew]

20 AB's is especially meaningless when you consider early season winter ball is taken as seriously as beer league softball. Many veteran Latinos don't even play until the last couple weeks before the playoffs.

[Gobias Industries]

20 AB's is especially meaningless when you consider early season winter ball is taken as seriously as beer league softball. Many veteran Latinos don't even play until the last couple weeks before the playoffs.

He's probably gotten a bit unlucky with BIP, but still, it'd be nice if he was 4-30 with a few walks.

[Mass Haas]

On Saturday in Venezuela, SS Alcides Escobar, leading off, went 2-for-5 (double, single) with two RBI and one run scored (box). Still hackin', but at least a couple dropped in...

[Mass Haas]

Box Score

23-year-old RHP Hiram Burgos made his seventh appearance and second start in Puerto Rico, the sledding was a bit tough --

 

3 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 2 K, pitched to two batters in the 4th, one of which scored; 6-to-1 GB/FB

 

San Juan Bottom of the 1st

• Jesus Feliciano walks.
  
• Sergio Miranda grounds into double play, first baseman Cesar Nicolas to shortstop Irving Falu to first baseman Cesar Nicolas. Jesus Feliciano out at 2nd.
  
• Leslie Anderson grounds out, first baseman Cesar Nicolas to pitcher Hiram Burgos.

San Juan Bottom of the 2nd

• Luis Terrero strikes out swinging.
  
• Alex Fernandez walks.
  
• Jorge Padilla walks. Alex Fernandez to 2nd.
  
• Rene Rivera hit by pitch. Alex Fernandez to 3rd. Jorge Padilla to 2nd.
  
• Edwin Maysonet grounds into a force out, shortstop Irving Falu to second baseman Felix Molina. Alex Fernandez scores. Jorge Padilla to 3rd. Rene Rivera out at 2nd. Edwin Maysonet to 1st.
  
• Henry Mateo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Norris Hopper. Jorge Padilla scores. Edwin Maysonet to 2nd.
  
• Jesus Feliciano singles on a fly ball to center fielder Norris Hopper. Edwin Maysonet scores. Henry Mateo to 2nd.
  
• Sergio Miranda grounds out, shortstop Irving Falu to first baseman Cesar Nicolas.

San Juan Bottom of the 3rd

• Leslie Anderson grounds out, second baseman Felix Molina to first baseman Cesar Nicolas.
  
• Luis Terrero pops out to first baseman Cesar Nicolas in foul territory.
  
• Alex Fernandez strikes out swinging.

San Juan Bottom of the 4th

• Jorge Padilla singles on a ground ball to left fielder Miguel Negron.
  
• With Rene Rivera batting, missed catch error by Hiram Burgos on the pickoff attempt, Jorge Padilla to 3rd.
  
• Rene Rivera hit by pitch.
  
• Pitcher Change: Hector Hernandez replaces Hiram Burgos.
  
• Edwin Maysonet singles on a ground ball to right fielder Eddy Martinez-Esteve. Jorge Padilla scores. Rene Rivera to 2nd.
  
• Henry Mateo out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Hector Hernandez to second baseman Felix Molina. Rene Rivera to 3rd. Edwin Maysonet to 2nd.
  
• Jesus Feliciano grounds out, second baseman Felix Molina to first baseman Cesar Nicolas.
  
• Hector Hernandez intentionally walks Sergio Miranda.
  
• Leslie Anderson flies out to left fielder Miguel Negron.

Burgos' Timber Rattler teammate but Puerto Rico League foe, 21-year-old LHP Efrain Nieves, made a relief appearance one could call successful --

Mayaguez Top of the 6th

• Pitcher Change: Efrain Nieves replaces Willy Lebron.
  
• Miguel Negron strikes out swinging.
  
• Cesar Nicolas strikes out swinging.
  
• Fernando Cortez strikes out swinging.

One RH bat, two LH bats faced by Nieves there.

 

In that same game, Nieves' teammate, 2B Sergio Miranda, was 0-for-3 with an intentional walk.

[Mass Haas]

In the nightcap to the PWL doubleheader, Sergio Miranda was 0-for-3 with a HBP; catcher Martin Maldonado singled in two trips.

 

***

 

In his 2nd game in Venezuela (after six games in Mexico), RF Brendan Katin, batting 5th, homered and doubled, leading his team to a 4-0 win. Katin fanned in his two other trips, but is slugging .516 in his eight games. Rule 5 power seekers, are you watching?

 

***

 

In Mexico, SS Luis Cruz, batting 7th, was 2-for-4 and is hitting .361 with an .885 OPS in his last ten games (.268 and .712 overall).

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico -- RHP Darren Byrd

5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 7-to-5 GB/FO

 

Caguas Bottom of the 1st

• Alex Cora flies out to right fielder Antonio DeJesus in foul territory.
  
• Luis Figueroa flies out to left fielder Miguel Negron.
  
• Andy Gonzalez grounds out, shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Eddy Martinez-Esteve.

Caguas Bottom of the 2nd

• Javier Valentin grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Eddy Martinez-Esteve.
  
• Edgardo Baez strikes out swinging.
  
• Gregory Porter grounds out, second baseman Irving Falu to first baseman Eddy Martinez-Esteve.

Caguas Bottom of the 3rd

• Brahiam Maldonado grounds out, shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Eddy Martinez-Esteve.
  
• Omir Santos singles on a ground ball to center fielder Norris Hopper.
  
• Antonio Jimenez lines out to right fielder Antonio DeJesus.
  
• Alex Cora doubles (3) on a ground ball to left fielder Miguel Negron. Omir Santos to 3rd.
  
• Luis Figueroa singles on a ground ball to left fielder Miguel Negron. Omir Santos scores. Alex Cora scores. Luis Figueroa advances to 3rd, on throwing error by left fielder Miguel Negron.
  
• Andy Gonzalez flies out to center fielder Norris Hopper.

Caguas Bottom of the 4th

• Javier Valentin grounds out, shortstop Angel Sanchez to first baseman Eddy Martinez-Esteve.
  
• Edgardo Baez called out on strikes.
  
• Gregory Porter walks.
  
• Brahiam Maldonado singles on a line drive to center fielder Norris Hopper. Gregory Porter to 2nd.
  
• Omir Santos grounds into a force out, fielded by second baseman Irving Falu. Brahiam Maldonado out at 2nd.

Caguas Bottom of the 5th

• Antonio Jimenez grounds out, third baseman Fernando Cortez to first baseman Eddy Martinez-Esteve.
  
• Alex Cora hit by pitch.
  
• Luis Figueroa flies out to center fielder Norris Hopper.
  
• With Andy Gonzalez batting, Alex Cora caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Roberto Perez to second baseman Irving Falu.

Caguas Bottom of the 6th

• Andy Gonzalez strikes out swinging.
  
• Javier Valentin flies out to left fielder Miguel Negron.
  
• Edgardo Baez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Norris Hopper.
  
• Pitcher Change: Benigno Cepeda replaces Darren Byrd.
  
• With Gregory Porter batting, Edgardo Baez steals (3) 2nd base.
  
• Gregory Porter flies out to right fielder Antonio DeJesus.

Box Score

 

Byrd has now pitched 33 innings this fall. Click on his name above for stats.

[Mass Haas]

Alcides Escobar (0-for-4, 1 HBP), Brendan Katin (double), Erick Almonte (single, walk), and Luis Cruz (single, two walks, sac fly) saw action Sunday. Click the stat page links for November 28th lines plus season-to-date numbers.

[Mass Haas]

In a wild game that is still suspended from the Dominican on Saturday (box), RHP Zach Segovia went two innings (pitching on consecutive days, allowed one run) --

 

Gigantes Top of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Jesus Colome.
  
• Defensive Substitution: Denis Phipps replaces left fielder Pablo Ozuna, batting 2nd, playing center field.
  
• Defensive switch from right field to left field for Jeff Frazier.
  
• Defensive switch from center field to right field for Eugenio Velez.
  
• Alexi Casilla pops out to third baseman Alex Valdez in foul territory.
  
• Juan Francisco singles on a fly ball to center fielder Denis Phipps.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Ivan Contreras replaces Juan Francisco.
  
• Wilson Betemit flies out to left fielder Jeff Frazier.
  
• Brad Nelson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Denis Phipps. Ivan Contreras to 2nd.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Estarlin De Los Santos replaces Brad Nelson.
  
• Erick Almonte singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jeff Frazier. Ivan Contreras scores. Estarlin De Los Santos to 2nd.
  
• Lucas Montero flies out to left fielder Jeff Frazier.

Gigantes Top of the 10th

• J. R. House singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jeff Frazier.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Rafael Fernandez replaces J. House.
  
• Francisco Peguero out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Zack Segovia to first baseman Chris Davis. Rafael Fernandez to 2nd.
  
• Emmanuel Burriss grounds out, second baseman Argenis Reyes to first baseman Chris Davis. Rafael Fernandez to 3rd.
  
• Zack Segovia intentionally walks Alexi Casilla.
  
• Moises Sierra strikes out swinging.

In the same game, Erick Almonte is 3-for-6 with an RBI, and his teammate, soon-to-be 28-year-old Brad Nelson, continued his hot winter season. The minor league free agent has nine home runs in just 105 AB's (.992 OPS).

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's action --

 

Sergio Miranda -- 0-for-3 with a walk

 

Erick Almonte -- 1-for-3, sac fly

 

Luis Cruz -- 2-for-4 with a double and HR, actually slugging .481 in his 77 AB's

[Mass Haas]

Newcomer Zach Segovia's fine Dominican Winter League season continued, save # 6 -- one hit, one K (box here, recap isn't loading).

 

LHP Efrain Nieves returned to the mound as a starter (now eight appearances, six starts) in Puerto Rico. His team lost 7-4 in 11 innings (box).

 

Nieves' line -- 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 1 HBP, 3 K, 5-to-6 GB-to-FB

 

Mayaguez Top of the 1st

• Irving Falu singles on a fly ball to left fielder Luis Terrero.
  
• Norris Hopper out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Leslie Anderson. Irving Falu to 2nd.
  
• Johan Limonta flies out to center fielder Jesus Feliciano. Irving Falu to 3rd.
  
• Eddy Martinez-Esteve hits a ground-rule double (5) on a fly ball to left field. Irving Falu scores.
  
• Fernando Cortez pops out to third baseman Jayson Nix.

Mayaguez Top of the 2nd

• Donny Leon grounds out, third baseman Jayson Nix to first baseman Leslie Anderson.
  
• Miguel Negron called out on strikes.
  
• Martin Maldonado walks.
  
• Angel Sanchez flies out to center fielder Jesus Feliciano.

Mayaguez Top of the 3rd

• Irving Falu walks.
  
• Norris Hopper singles on a ground ball to left fielder Luis Terrero. Irving Falu to 2nd.
  
• Johan Limonta hit by pitch. Irving Falu to 3rd. Norris Hopper to 2nd.
  
• Eddy Martinez-Esteve walks. Irving Falu scores. Norris Hopper to 3rd. Johan Limonta to 2nd.
  
• Fernando Cortez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Jesus Feliciano. Norris Hopper scores.
  
• Donny Leon grounds into double play, third baseman Jayson Nix to first baseman Leslie Anderson. Johan Limonta out at 3rd.

Mayaguez Top of the 4th

• Miguel Negron singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Martin Maldonado singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Miguel Negron to 3rd.
  
• Angel Sanchez out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Jorge Padilla in foul territory. Miguel Negron scores.
  
• With Irving Falu batting, Martin Maldonado caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Rene Rivera to second baseman Sergio Miranda.
  
• Irving Falu grounds out, shortstop Edwin Maysonet to first baseman Leslie Anderson.

Mayaguez Top of the 5th

• Norris Hopper flies out to right fielder Jorge Padilla.
  
• Johan Limonta called out on strikes.
  
• Eddy Martinez-Esteve walks.
  
• Fernando Cortez called out on strikes.

[Mass Haas]

Busy day at the plate --

 

Alcides Escobar's winter of discontent continues -- 0-for-3, now 6-for-42 (.143) and still yet to work a walk.

 

Luis Cruz's two-run home run was the difference in his team's 2-1 win (box). He also walked and is slugging .519.

 

You'll see that Sergio Miranda (1-for-6, run) and Martin Maldonado (1-for-3, BB, CS) played in the Efrain Nieves box score linked in the prior post.

 

Erick Almonte played left field and was 2-for-4 (run, K).

 

Brendan Katin was 0-for-3 in Venezuela, walking once and fanning twice -- productive winter, but 18 K's in 38 AB's.

 

Carlos Gomez must have gone home on a high note, idle since his November 19th 4-for-4 effort.

[Invader3K]

Did Gomez get hurt or something?

 

Cruz's hot winter makes me wonder if he'll be in the mix during Spring Training.

[trwi7]

Cruz's hot winter makes me wonder if he'll be in the mix during Spring Training.

Will he even be back after what he said earlier in the offseason?

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's action --

VENEZUELA:

Stop the presses -- Alcides Escobar walked! But wait, it was intentional! So the streak continues. 0-for-4, now 6-for-46 (.130) with no traditional bases on balls BOX

Brendan Katin was 0-for-3 fanning twice more -- 20 K's in 41 AB's. RECAP

 

PUERTO RICO:

 

Sergio Miranda (1-for-4) BOX

Martin Maldonado (1-for-3) BOX

 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:

Erick Almonte played left field and third base, hit cleanup, was 0-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt BOX

 

MEXICO:

 

Yikes, what is into SS Luis Cruz? Another home run (his 4th) and another double (his 9th) in just 83 AB's thus far. BOX A reminder for this April that Cruz has no options remaining. He will remain relevant until any other shortstops are signed. No one has been a bigger Alcides Escobar proponent than yours truly over the years, and please don't even think this has anything to do with winter league numbers -- honestly, we know better, we provide these daily updates for your offseason entertainment -- but Mr. Escobar, should things just deteriorate completely come April, does have an option remaining. That's just a morsel of thought, and why following 40-man roster spots in particular matters (in the case of Cruz).

[Mass Haas]

By the way, if reverse psychology means anything, here's to Alcides kicking butt in Milwaukee in 2011, because here's a reminder about what he did last winter --

 

Escobar clinches Winter Ball Batting Title -- great line of .393/.440/.491 and OPS of .931

 

So we all know what winter ball numbers mean, yet you all check daily anyway http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

[TooLiveBrew]

yeah, we can't stop checking... even if it means little to nothing http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

Great work, MH, just like during the regular season(s)

[Mass Haas]

Luis Cruz ran his hitting streak to 12 games in Mexico Friday, although it was a 1-for-5 effort.

 

Alcides Escobar singled in four trips in Venezuela, scoring a run, and fanning twice. That lifts his average to .140 (7-for-50) and he remains on pace to draw zero non-intentional walks all winter season, even though he's been hitting at or near the top of the lineup in most games. BOX

FYI -- Escobar's old running mate, Hernan Iribarren, is his Lara teammate (.587 OPS, CS four times in nine tries).

 

Sergio Miranda has been locked into second base and the # 2 spot in his Puerto Rico League's club for a while now, and with good reason -- another fine day Friday, 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored.