Winter League Participants, Updates

[Mass Haas]

No Brewers saw action Monday, but you can review Sam Narron's seven Venezuelan League starts here.

 

The 6'7" lefty never strikes out many, but his ratio this winter was tiny -- 8 K's in 33 IP.

 

Narron's back in Texas now, participating in youth clinics among other things, so he's unlikely to add to his VWL stats (3.82 ERA).

[Mass Haas]

Dominican:

Erick Almonte played LF, was 0-for-2, fanning once. He was ejected after that K in the 4th inning (box).

 

Mexico:

 

Luis Cruz played second base, and his club scored nine runs, but Cruz had a tough 0-for-5 day, striking out twice (box).

 

Puerto Rico:

 

In his team's wild 11-10, 13-inning win (box), catcher Martin Maldonado was 1-for-4 with a walk, K, and a run scored. Maldonado threw out one of two baserunners.

 

Some big offensive team numbers down south Tuesday, and on an individual level Sergio Miranda participated, going 3-for-6, leading off and playing third base with a triple, two runs scored, two RBI in his team's 13-3 win (box).

 

In that same game, catcher Wil Nieves was 1-for-4 with a walk.

 

Venezuela (Monday, late report):

 

Anderson De La Rosa got his 2nd AB of the winter, grounding into a forceout. In that game, Alcides Escobar singled in four trips (recap, box unavailable).

 

FYI -- Brendan Katin hasn't appeared in a game in Venezuela since December 7th, so it appears his stay there was as brief as his Mexican League stint earlier this winter.

[Mass Haas]

LHP Efrain Nieves made another Puerto Rican League start.

 

He got the win pitching to Wil Nieves with Sergio Miranda behind him (box).

 

Line: 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 0 K, 1 HR, 9-to-7 GB / FB ratio

 

His bullpen came on to get the final out in the 6th, stranding the bases loaded, and preserving Nieves' numbers...

 

Caguas Bottom of the 1st

• Alex Cora grounds out, pitcher Efrain Nieves to first baseman Leslie Anderson.
  
• Luis Figueroa grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Leslie Anderson.
  
• Lou Montanez singles on a ground ball to first baseman Leslie Anderson.
  
• Javier Valentin flies out to center fielder Jesus Feliciano.

Caguas Bottom of the 2nd

• Edgardo Baez homers (3) on a fly ball to right field.
  
• Ramon Vazquez flies out to left fielder Luis Terrero in foul territory.
  
• Aaron Bates walks.
  
• Andy Gonzalez flies out to right fielder Jorge Padilla.
  
• Omir Santos grounds out, pitcher Efrain Nieves to first baseman Leslie Anderson.

Caguas Bottom of the 3rd

• Alex Cora grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Leslie Anderson.
  
• Luis Figueroa pops out to shortstop Edwin Maysonet.
  
• Lou Montanez grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Leslie Anderson.

Caguas Bottom of the 4th

• Javier Valentin lines out to center fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Edgardo Baez grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Leslie Anderson.
  
• Ramon Vazquez grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Leslie Anderson.

Caguas Bottom of the 5th

• Aaron Bates pops out to catcher Wil Nieves in foul territory.
  
• Andy Gonzalez flies out to left fielder Luis Terrero.
  
• Omir Santos triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Alex Cora flies out to left fielder Luis Terrero.

Caguas Bottom of the 6th

• Defensive Substitution: Henry Mateo replaces center fielder Jesus Feliciano, batting 2nd, playing center field.
  
• Helder Velazquez grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Leslie Anderson.
  
• Lou Montanez doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Luis Terrero.
  
• Freddie Thon singles on a ground ball to shortstop Edwin Maysonet. Lou Montanez to 3rd.
  
• Alex Oliveras grounds into a force out, first baseman Leslie Anderson to shortstop Edwin Maysonet. Lou Montanez scores. Freddie Thon out at 2nd. Alex Oliveras to 1st.
  
• Rey Navarro singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. Rey Navarro to 2nd. Alex Oliveras advances to 3rd, on throwing error by second baseman Ivan De JesusJr.
  
• Aaron Bates hit by pitch.
  
• Pitcher Change: Luis Arroyo replaces Efrain Nieves.
  
• Brahiam Maldonado grounds into a force out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to shortstop Edwin Maysonet. Aaron Bates out at 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's action:

 

Venezuela:

 

Alcides Escobar committed his 5th error at SS in 24 games, singled in five trips (box). Still trying to overcome a dreadful start, his OPS is .563 after 95 AB's.

 

Mexico:

 

Luis Cruz, batting 5th and playing second base, singled, doubled, and scored a run (2-for-5, one K); OPS of .875 after 34 games and 123 AB's (box).

 

Dominican Republic:

 

It looks like Erick Almonte had an 0-for-5 game, but neither the box nor log from the contest is loading properly this AM. His OPS is at .753 through 43 games.

[Mass Haas]

Culiacan 13, Hermosillo 2 (box)

Brewers infield prospect Luis Cruz (stats) slugged three homers for the first time in his career as part of a four-hit, four-RBI effort to lead the Tomateros past the league-leading Naranjeros.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2010/12/17/tfMTCzAu.jpg

 

Well. that is pretty ridiculous. For good measure, Cruz' 4th hit was a double -- 14 total bases. Cruz played second base and batted 5th. He's slugging .625 in his 128 AB's. Cruz isn't tiny, -- he's listed at 6'1", 210.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico:

Catcher Wil Nieves singled and walked in four plate appearances, and actually stole a base. His teammate Sergio Miranda played third base, hit leadoff, and walked in four trips, and stole a base, his 4th in seven tries. Miranda scored the run in his team's 2-1 loss (box).

 

Catcher Martin Maldonado singled in three trips, fanning once, in his own team's 2-1 loss (box).

 

Venezuela:

Alcides Escobar, batting 3rd for Lara in a 3-0 win, was 1-for-3 and added a sacrifice fly (box). An error (throwing) was his 6th in 25 games.

[Mass Haas]

Luis Cruz did it again. He smacked his 10th HR of the winter, (23 of his 41 hits have gone for extra bases in just 132 AB's).

 

Cruz finished 1-for-4 (one K), but his three-run shot in the 5th was part of his club's 13-4 win (box).

 

Cruz got off to a late start in Mexico, so he does not have enough AB's to qualify for the slugging title -- if he did, his .636 percentage would easily lead the league. His .988 OPS would be 4th. Cruz may qualify by season's end, December 30th - it'll be close.

[Mass Haas]

Martin Maldonado doubled in four at-bats, driving in one run, fanning twice in his team's 4-2 loss in Puerto Rico (box). No opponent attempted a stolen base.

 

Also in Puerto Rico, Sergio Miranda had another productive day, although his team lost, 4-1 (box). Miranda, leading off and playing third base, was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, striking out once. Wil Nieves, Miranda's teammate, was 0-for-4 and threw out one of two baserunners, while committing one throwing error.

 

Miranda's .363 batting average continues to lead the PWL. Miranda's .416 OBP is 2nd in the league. His .846 OPS is 5th. A big confidence-boosting campaign for the 23-year-old switch-hitter, to be sure.

 

Alcides Escobar continues to waste, um sorry, spend time in Venezuela. He was 0-for-4 but did manage to drive in a run with a sacrifice fly. He committed another error, throwing, that's seven miscues in 26 games (recap, as box is not loading).

[endaround]

Maybe the next time Escobar plays winterball the Brewers tell him not to play in Venezuela?

[logan82]

This winter scares the crap out of me. I will be very disappointed if we have to watch Luis Cruz on the MLB club.

[Invader3K]

This winter scares the crap out of me. I will be very disappointed if we have to watch Luis Cruz on the MLB club.

Can he really be any worse than Escobar at this point? I realize it's only Winter League, but Escobar's performance isn't making me want to see him locked in as the starting shortstop right now.

[logan82]

This winter scares the crap out of me. I will be very disappointed if we have to watch Luis Cruz on the MLB club.

Can he really be any worse than Escobar at this point? I realize it's only Winter League, but Escobar's performance isn't making me want to see him locked in as the starting shortstop right now.

I am not fan of Escobar but Cruz doesn't have an OBP over .300 at any level of the minors except A+ ball. His career year was this year was this year with a line of .309/.414/.723. He is a realty really bad hitter who has no place on our team. If Escobar is a bad hitter Cruz is even worse. I would refrain from making any decisions at all looking at winter league stats. Escobar tore up the winter league last year.

[Mass Haas]

Kicking off Saturday's results:

 

SS Alcides Escobar, batting 3rd, was 1-for-5 with a double and a run scored, fanning once (box).

[Mass Haas]

Luis Cruz, again playing second base and batting 5th, was 2-for-4 with a double, RBI, and run scored in Mexico Saturday night (box).

Cruz is at .316 / .355 / .640 for a .995 OPS over 136 AB's.

In the Dominican, Erick Almonte was the DH -- he doubled and singled in four trips, driving in two (box).

In this game in Puerto Rico, despite being on the down side of a 10-5 score, Sergio Miranda and Wil Nieves were productive. Miranda (2-for-3), leading off and playing second base, doubled, singled, drove in a run, and stole a base (5th in eight tries), before being pinch-hit for in the 7th. Nieves (1-for-2 at the plate) threw out the only baserunner who attempted a steal against him, doubled, walked, and scored a run before being pinch-hit for in the 9th. Miranda is hitting .370 and has a batting crown in his sights.

He hadn't made an appearance in Venezuela since December 7th, but Brendan Katin returned to action Saturday (box). Katin popped out as a pinch-hitter in the 7th, but later singled and scored the game-winning run as part of a two-run rally in the bottom of the 9th.

[Mass Haas]

Luis Cruz' Mexican League team romped to a 17-3 victory (box), and as you'd expect given the final score, Cruz contributed. Again batting 5th and playing second base, Cruz was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

 

In Venezuela, Brendan Katin was 0-for-3 with a walk and a K (box). He batted 6th and played left field.

 

Catcher Anderson De La Rosa made his first start of the winter, and was 0-for-3 with a K, but did throw out a baserunner. De La Rosa is now 0-for-5 on the season. Escobar's Venezuelan teammate, Alcides Escobar, played in both ends of a doubleheader and was 1-for-7.

 

We'll post Alcides' numbers at winter season's end in a week or so, but the daily updates will stop for now.

[StearnsFTW]

laugh, cry, or try to make him the centerpiece in a Greinke trade? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/laugh.gif

 

Good Call.

[CheezWizHed]

We'll post Alcides' numbers at winter season's end in a week or so, but the daily updates will stop for now.

 

I'm sure he will go on a hot streak now... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[docduany]

Now that Alcides has left the fold, I say swing away young man! "If you want to hit a dinger, ya got to be swinger!" I am no longer bothered by your lack of plate discipline or your recent error streak. Good luck to you and all, but my box score cringing will hence forth cease.

[Mass Haas]

Newcomer SS Edwin Maysonet has been a teammate of LHP Efrain Nieves and catcher Wil Nieves (unrelated as far as we can tell), and IF Sergio Miranda on San Juan of the Puerto Rico Winter League.

 

Maysonet, a native of Puerto Rico, has only hit .213 in 34 games (108 AB's); .587 OPS but with 15 RBI -- he's clutch! (Stat line included on MiLB.com player page)

[Mass Haas]

Neither Erick Almonte nor reliever Zack Segovia played in the Dominican Monday. Their regular seasons end Tuesday. Segovia's club is tied for first place, so depending on the post-season set-up, both might see additional action.

Teammates SS Edwin Maysonet and C Wil Nieves played in their team's 4-2 loss in Puerto Rico (box). Maysonet was 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base (his 2nd in as many tries this winter); Nieves went 0-for-4. One baserunner stole a base on the combination of Nieves and Nieves.

LHP Efrain Nieves made the start in the game and took the loss -- 5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 WP, 1 HBP, 8-to-6 GB/FO ratio

Mayaguez Bottom of the 1st

• Eddie Rosario singles on a fly ball to center fielder Henry Mateo.
• Irving Falu singles on a bunt ground ball to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Eddie Rosario to 2nd.
• Fernando Cortez grounds into double play, shortstop Edwin Maysonet to second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Eddie Rosario to 3rd. Irving Falu out at 2nd.
• Eddy Martinez-Esteve grounds out, third baseman Jayson Nix to first baseman Jaime Ortiz.

Mayaguez Bottom of the 2nd

• Roberto Perez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Edwin Maysonet.
• Donny Leon flies out to right fielder Jorge Padilla.
• Angel Sanchez doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Roberto Perez scores.
• Kennys Vargas doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Angel Sanchez scores.
• Chris Amador flies out to center fielder Henry Mateo. Kennys Vargas to 3rd.
• Eddie Rosario flies out to center fielder Henry Mateo.

Mayaguez Bottom of the 3rd

• Irving Falu singles on a bunt ground ball to first baseman Jaime Ortiz.
• Fernando Cortez grounds out, shortstop Edwin Maysonet to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Irving Falu to 2nd.
• Eddy Martinez-Esteve pops out to second baseman Ivan De JesusJr.
• Roberto Perez walks.
• With Donny Leon batting, wild pitch by Efrain Nieves, Irving Falu to 3rd. Roberto Perez to 2nd.
• Donny Leon singles on a fly ball to left fielder Luis Terrero. Irving Falu scores. Roberto Perez scores.
• Angel Sanchez hit by pitch. Donny Leon to 2nd.
• Kennys Vargas grounds out, pitcher Efrain Nieves to first baseman Jaime Ortiz.

Mayaguez Bottom of the 4th

• Chris Amador flies out to left fielder Luis Terrero.
• Eddie Rosario singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jorge Padilla.
• With Irving Falu batting, Eddie Rosario steals (3) 2nd base.
• Irving Falu grounds out, second baseman Ivan De JesusJr. to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Eddie Rosario to 3rd.
• Fernando Cortez grounds out, pitcher Efrain Nieves to first baseman Jaime Ortiz.

Mayaguez Bottom of the 5th

• Eddy Martinez-Esteve called out on strikes.
• Roberto Perez grounds out, third baseman Jayson Nix to first baseman Jaime Ortiz.
• Donny Leon walks.
• Felix Molina flies out to center fielder Henry Mateo.

[Mass Haas]

In Venezuela, it was a nice day for Brendan Katin. Playing LF and batting 7th, he went 3-for-4 with a two-run HR (his 4th HR in a combined 56 AB's in Mexico and Venezuela this winter). His squad won, 5-4, in ten innings (box).

[Mass Haas]

Newly re-acquired RHP Roque Mercedes made seven relief appearances in the Dominican as noted on his stat page.

[Mass Haas]

Luis Cruz went 2-for-4, playing both SS and 2B and batting 5th, in his Mexican League team's 3-2 win (box).

 

In Puerto Rico, Sergio Miranda doubled, walked, and scored two runs in his club's 5-4 loss (box not available).

 

In Venezuela, catcher Anderson De La Rosa got his first hit of the winter (now-1-for-9) in a 1-for-4 day at the plate (box not available), and Brendan Katin was 1-for-4 with an RBI (box not available).

[Mass Haas]

Oops! He did it again, as Luis Cruz Spears smacked his 11th Mexican League HR and 25th extra-base hit in just 146 AB's. He also walked as part of his 1-for-3 day. Now slugging .651 as part of a 1.023 OPS -- those are just silly numbers, yet there they are.Erick Almonte closed out his Dominican League season Tuesday with a 2-for-4 game. He finished up the winter with a .280 / .375 / .373 stat line (.748 OPS) in 46 games (150 AB's). Almonte had posted a sweet .320 / .377 / .415 line (.793 OPS) in 110 games with Nashville last summer. The soon-to-be 33-year-old should see time at DH / LF / 3B / 1B for Nashville again in 2011.

 

Martin Maldonado was 0-for-2 with one K in Puerto Rico (box), while Wil Nieves, catching for his hometown team of San Juan, singled twice in four AB's (box). Nieves' teammate, Edwin Maysonet, batting 9th and playing shortstop, was 1-for-4 with a run scored.

 

In Venezuela, Brendan Katin had a big game, going 3-for-4 (singles) with a walk, but his team lost, 6-3 (box), as Katin, hitting cleanup and playing LF, did not score or drive in a run -- c'mon teammates, help him out.

 

Catcher Anderson De La Rosa, suddenly seeing regular playing time, was 1-for-3 with a walk (box).

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com is only now catching up with RHP Zack Segovia's final two outings of the Dominican season, from December 18th and 19th.

 

On the 18th, Segovia's set-up man, former forgettable Brewer Jesus Colome, was brought on in the 8th to protect a 3-0 lead. Colome struggled after retiring the first two men, and Segovia was brought in to bail him out. But Segovia allowed both inherited runners to score and then allowed two more of his own to take the loss in a 5-3 game (box).

 

Aguilas Top of the 8th

• Chris Davis remains in the game as the designated hitter.
  
• Pitcher Change: Jesus Colome replaces Jordan Norberto.
  
• Kevin Melillo flies out to center fielder Felix Pie.
  
• Luis Exposito strikes out swinging.
  
• Dionys Cesar singles on a ground ball to right fielder Eugenio Velez.
  
• Omar Luna singles on a ground ball to second baseman Ed Rogers. Dionys Cesar to 2nd.
  
• Julio Borbon singles on a fly ball to left fielder Pablo Ozuna. Dionys Cesar scores. Omar Luna to 3rd.
  
• Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Jesus Colome.
  
• Elian Herrera doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Pablo Ozuna. Omar Luna scores. Julio Borbon to 3rd.
  
• Hector Luna doubles (16) on a fly ball to left fielder Pablo Ozuna. Julio Borbon scores. Elian Herrera scores.
  
• Zack Segovia intentionally walks Kevin Barker.
  
• Edwin Encarnacion singles on a ground ball to center fielder Felix Pie. Hector Luna scores. Kevin Barker to 2nd.
  
• Kevin Melillo walks. Kevin Barker to 3rd. Edwin Encarnacion to 2nd.
  
• Luis Exposito grounds out, second baseman Ed Rogers to first baseman Andres Rodriguez.

Segovia was brought back the following day (box) for a save situation and he earned his 9th, which was good for 3rd most in the DWL.

Toros Bottom of the 7th (seven-inning game)

• Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Claudio Galva.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Andy Dirks replaces Pedro Ciriaco.
  
• Andy Dirks walks.
  
• Ricardo Nanita grounds into a force out, third baseman Alex Valdez to second baseman Argenis Reyes. Andy Dirks out at 2nd. Ricardo Nanita to 1st.
  
• Adam Loewen reaches on fielding error by third baseman Alex Valdez. Ricardo Nanita to 2nd.
  
• Danny Richar grounds into a force out, shortstop Ed Rogers to second baseman Argenis Reyes. Ricardo Nanita to 3rd. Adam Loewen out at 2nd. Danny Richar to 1st.
  
• Esteban German grounds into a force out, shortstop Ed Rogers to second baseman Argenis Reyes. Danny Richar out at 2nd.

You can review Segovia's numbers via the first link in this post, but he appeared in 18 games -- 23 IP, 18 H, 2.35 ERA, 10 BB (three intentional), 15 K, 1.22 WHIP, .222 BAA. So along with garnering a big league spring training invite, he must be pleased with his winter season.