Winter League Participants, Updates

[Mass Haas]

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.

Like with Zack Segovia, MiLB.com has back-filled some Dominican game info on Erick Almonte, so his stat line increased to .285 / .382 / .386 (.768 OPS) in 48 games (158 AB's).

[Mass Haas]

In Mexico, Luis Cruz (batting 5th, playing second base), singled in four trips as his OPS still hovers above the four-digit mark at 1.009.

 

In his prior seven Puerto Rico League games, Sergio Miranda had hit .500 (14-for-28, three BB's), but he had an 0-for-4 night (led off, played second base) -- box.

 

In Venezuela, Anderson De La Rosa continues to make good use of his increased playing time -- 2-for-5 including a triple, RBI, two K's.

 

His opponent on the day, Brendan Katin (De La Rosa's team won, 13-10, box not available), was 1-for-3 with two walks, an RBI and one K.

[Mass Haas]

Nothing says Christmas like Mexican League baseball (and the NBA, of course).

Luis Cruz drove in a run with a grounder but finished 0-for-5 (recap).

Looks like Erick Almonte's team will be competing in the postseason in the Dominican.

[Mass Haas]

21-year-old LHP Efrain Nieves made his 10th Puerto Rico League start Sunday (12th appearance), and it was excellent. Pitching to the Brewers' 40-man roster catcher Wil Nieves (who was 2-for-3 with an RBI, a stolen base, and a pickoff of a runner at first base), Efrain Nieves posted the following line --

 

5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K, 1WP, 4/4 GB/FO (got the win for his team -- box)

 

to lower his ERA to 4.41 in 49 innings. No concerns, as he threw only 69.2 (mostly inadequate) innings with Wisconsin in 2010.

 

One other side note from this game -- major league camp invitee SS Edwin Maysonet singled in three at-bats on Nieves' behalf, scoring a run, fanning once, and committed his 6th error in 38 games; Maysonet has a .580 OPS in 121 winter at-bats.

 

Carolina Top of the 1st

• Danny Gonzalez pops out to first baseman Jaime Ortiz in foul territory.
  
• Benji Gonzalez reaches on fielding error by shortstop Edwin Maysonet.
  
• Armando Rios flies out to left fielder Alex Llanos.
  
• With Michel Abreu batting, Benji Gonzalez picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Wil Nieves to first baseman Jaime Ortiz to second baseman Ruben Gotay.

Carolina Top of the 2nd

• Michel Abreu strikes out swinging.
  
• Jobduan Morales grounds out, second baseman Ruben Gotay to first baseman Jaime Ortiz.
  
• Jeffrey Dominguez strikes out swinging.

Carolina Top of the 3rd

• Geraldo Valentin doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Alex Llanos.
  
• Luis Matos reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Edwin Maysonet to third baseman Jayson Nix. Geraldo Valentin out at 3rd.
  
• Wilberto Ortiz flies out to center fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Danny Gonzalez strikes out swinging.

Carolina Top of the 4th

• Benji Gonzalez flies out to right fielder Jorge Padilla.
  
• Armando Rios grounds out, second baseman Ruben Gotay to first baseman Jaime Ortiz.
  
• Michel Abreu walks.
  
• With Jobduan Morales batting, wild pitch by Efrain Nieves, Michel Abreu to 2nd.
  
• Jobduan Morales strikes out swinging.

Carolina Top of the 5th

• Jeffrey Dominguez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jesus Feliciano.
  
• Geraldo Valentin lines into double play, second baseman Ruben Gotay to first baseman Jaime Ortiz. Jeffrey Dominguez doubled off 1st.
  
• Luis Matos grounds out, shortstop Edwin Maysonet to first baseman Jaime Ortiz.

[Mass Haas]

Pitching for Leones del Escogido in a Dominican Winter League playoff game that his team won 6-0 (box), RHP Roque Mercedes tossed two scoreless innings to close out the game -- four baserunners, but no damage. Keep in mind this game won't be reflected on his regular DWL season numbers.

 

Estrellas Bottom of the 8th

• Felix Carrasco remains in the game as the designated hitter.
  
• Pitcher Change: Roque Mercedes replaces Luke Sommer.
  
• Mike Nickeas grounds out, shortstop Starlin Castro to first baseman Fernando Tatis.
  
• Argenis Reyes singles on a ground ball to center fielder Engel Beltre.
  
• Michael Martinez called out on strikes.
  
• Pablo Ozuna singles on a ground ball to left fielder Freddy Guzman. Argenis Reyes to 2nd.
  
• Felix Pie strikes out swinging.

Estrellas Bottom of the 9th

• Corey Smith walks.
  
• Alex Valdez grounds into double play, shortstop Starlin Castro to first baseman Fernando Tatis. Corey Smith out at 2nd.
  
• Eugenio Velez walks.
  
• Bryan LaHair flies out to center fielder Engel Beltre.

***

 

Erick Almonte's club won the other DWL playoff game Sunday by a score of 11-7 (box), and Almonte was 2-for-5 as the DH, batting 5th, driving in two, scoring once, and fanning once.

[Mass Haas]

Also on a busy Sunday, Luis Cruz singled in four at-bats in Mexico. He's been locked in to second base and the 5th spot for some time now. His club, challenging for first place, won 3-2 (box).

 

In Venezuela, Brendan Katin was 0-for-3 but did draw a walk, he also struck out twice. Katin played LF and batted 5th. His club won, 6-5 (box).

 

Anderson De La Rosa was 1-for-3 with a double, run scored, RBI, and K. Lots of winners Sunday, as De la Rosa's Lara club won 4-3 (box). One baserunner was successful against De La Rosa in the only steal attempt.

[Mass Haas]

Erick Almonte participated in Dominican playoffs Monday (0-for-4) and Tuesday (4-for-5, four singles). Neither box score is available, but the recaps were (here's the better day). Almonte played in left field each day.

 

RHP Zach Segovia has been in the D.R. all winter, and he pitched Tuesday as well, although it was a mop-up in a 4-0 loss (box).

 

But it was eventful, check it out!

 

Toros Bottom of the 8th

• Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Marcos Mateo.
  
• Adam Loewen singles on a ground ball to center fielder Eugenio Velez.
  
• Victor Mercedes reaches on catcher interference by Francisco Hernandez. Adam Loewen to 2nd. Victor Mercedes to 1st.
  
• Danny Richar walks. Adam Loewen to 3rd. Victor Mercedes to 2nd.
  
• Alberto Rosario strikes out swinging.
  
• Jose Constanza grounds into double play, shortstop Michael Martinez to second baseman Ed Rogers to first baseman Corey Smith. Danny Richar out at 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

On Monday in Mexico, Luis Cruz homered yet again (# 12 in 162 AB's) as part of a 3-for-3 day (box). Playing second base, he did commit an error, his 8th in 44 games.

 

His OPS is back up to 1.002, and he's slugging .636.

 

We'll still continue to "ignore" winter league stats, right? Did Cruz make some sort of Jose Bautista adjustment this winter? Just sayin'...

[Invader3K]

Cruz better get a legit shot in spring training.

[Mass Haas]

After an 0-for-4 day Monday, Sergio Miranda was back on track in Puerto Rico Tuesday, reaching four times (3-for-4, double, walk, RBI). Playing second base, the "everywhere" infielder committed just his 4th error in 39 games. In that same Tuesday game (box), Miranda's teammates also had big days, as catcher Wil Nieves was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and threw out the only baserunner attempting to steal, and Edwin Maysonet (playing LF of all places) was 3-for-4 with two RBI. In that same game, but on the opposing squad, Martin Maldonado doubled in a 1-for-3 game. Nieves also had an 0-for-3 day Monday.

***

Quieter in Venezuela, with Brendan Katin posting a combined 0-for-5 with one walk and three K's in two games this week, and Anderson De La Rosa was 0-for-2 with a walk and a K Monday.

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday -- Sergio Miranda (third base, 0-for-2) and Edwin Maysonet (SS, 1-for-2, R) participated in this Puerto Rico League game (box).

 

In Mexico, Luis Cruz was 1-for-4 (double, RBI, K) -- box.

 

Venezuela -- Brendan Katin, playing LF and batting 8th, was 0-for-4, one K (box).

 

Looks like regular seasons in all three countries listed above end today, Thursday the 30th.

 

Erick Almonte, batting 5th and playing first base, was 1-for-4 (R, K) in a Dominican League postseason game (box).

[TooLiveBrew]

Cruz better get a legit shot in spring training.

In terms of overall value, it's going to be hard for him to be worse than Betancourt. But MassHaas, yes, I think it's wisest to still discount winter league stats. Escobar's case should be evidence enough.

[logan82]

We know Betancourt sucks at SS but he is still probably a better hitter than Cruz. Cruz is supposedly a really good defender but Escobar was supposed to be really good too. I am a little skeptical of minor league defensive scouting. However our SS situation gets handled with the current group of players it will probably be ugly.

[Invader3K]

I thought Cruz looked pretty good defensively in his limited time with the Brewers this past season. Obviously that's a very small sample, though.

 

I just want to see the guy get a shot after the strong winter he's had. Sometimes guys like this seem to fly under the radar and then have solid careers. You just never know.

[Mass Haas]

The Dominican Winter League playoffs roll on without much rhyme nor reason. It appears to be a four-team round-robin of sorts, but we'll keep mentioning results as long as there are box scores. Erick Almonte's club fell 9-0 on Thursday (box), and RHP Zack Segovia finished up with a scoreless inning for the victors.

 

Almonte singled in three trips as the DH and is hitting .381 in the tiny postseason sample.

 

I'm sure Segovia and his agent appreciate the Brewers' major league spring training invite offer, but wonder if he's second-guessing his choice of organization given Milwaukee's bullpen depth now.

 

Gigantes Top of the 9th

• Javier Guzman remains in the game as the designated hitter.
  
• Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Marcos Mateo.
  
• Jimmy Paredes strikes out swinging.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Carlos Peguero replaces Erick Almonte.
  
• Carlos Peguero grounds out to first baseman Corey Smith.
  
• Rich Thompson strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

In their Puerto Rico regular season finale, teammates, catcher Wil Nieves singled in three at-bats, fanning twice, and Edwin Maysonet (sneaking in another LF appearance) was 0-for-3 with a walk and two K's (box).

Meanwhile, in his Venezuelan League regular season finale, Brendan Katin singled in four trips with a K while playing LF (box).

We'll follow any playoff action in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela as well going forward.

With regular seasons complete, you can view all Brewer-related stats (except for Maysonet, who MiLB.com hasn't moved to the Brewer page yet) here.

By the way, Alcides Escobar finished with a .534 OPS in 135 winter AB's (stats).

[DHonks]

I'm curious as to how the new manager will be towards Minor Leaguers. Yost always kept informed about minor leaguers and loved following their daily reports. He was the eternal optimist. Macha always seemed a pessimist and would talk about how far away from big league ready their nuances were. It could impact guys like Katin, since Yost seemed to like having him in big league spring training games while Macha didn't

[Mass Haas]

Our friends we respect greatly on the various Brewer interwebs seem to have given up on their daily or even weekly Winter League updates long ago, but we trudge on in excrutiating detail, basically knowing you need a Link Report fix in January http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

No action Friday, but here's the latest.

 

In Mexico, Luis Cruz' team, Tomateros de Culiacan, yes, the Culiacan Tomato Growers, although we're sure they're often referred to as the Fightin' Tomato Growers, begins a best-of-seven quarterfinal series against the Mazatlan Deer, not to be confused with the Milwaukee Bucks. So Cruz, should he stick around for the postseason, could play for quite some time yet.

 

Game 1: 01/01 8:00 p.m.

Game 2: 01/02 6:00 p.m.

Game 3: 01/04 8:30 p.m.

Game 4: 01/05 8:30 p.m.

Game 5: 01/06 8:30 p.m.

Game 6: 01/08 7:00 p.m.

Game 7: 01/09 6:00 p.m.

 

***

 

In Puerto Rico, the league had five teams and one misses out on the playoffs. So among players who saw action this year, those who suited up for last-place Mayaguez -- catcher Martin Maldonado, and RHP's Darren Byrd and Hiram Burgos (each pitcher has been idle for some time now) would be done. A round-robin playoff format now begins that goes all the way through mid-January, so we may see more of IF's Sergio Miranda and Edwin Maysonet, C Wil Nieves, and LHP Efrain Nieves.

 

***

 

In the Dominican, a round-robin format is already five games in, and extends out to January 16th. So expect more updates on RHP's Zack Segovia and Roque Mercedes and corner man/DH Erick Almonte should they take part.

 

***

 

In Venezuela, it appears, based on the standings, that the teams of Brendan Katin and Anderson De La Rosa (and Alcides Escobar) did not qualify for the playoffs. If we learn otherwise, we'll let you know.

 

***

 

Now given the looseness we sometimes see with these Latin winter rosters, just about anybody Brewer-related could "pop up" all of a sudden. Might we see a Wily Peralta or an Amaury Rivas? Probably not, but just tossing that out there. By the way, the Caribbean World Series will begin in mid-to-late February with the four winning teams representing their countries. This year's event takes place in (ironically) Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

 

***

 

We know you knew this anyway, but why do they call some playoff formats "round-robin"?

 

"Round-robin" describes a method of choosing a resource for a task from a list of available ones, usually for the purposes of load balancing. Such may be distribution of incoming requests to a number of processors, worker threads or servers. As the basic algorithm, the scheduler selects a resource pointed to by a counter from a list, after which the counter is incremented and if the end is reached, returned to the beginning of the list. Round-robin selection has a positive characteristic of preventing starvation, as every resource will be eventually chosen by the scheduler, but may be unsuitable for some applications where affinity is desirable, for example when assigning a process to a CPU or in link aggregation.

 

But we all learned that in the 3rd grade, right?

[Mass Haas]

Luis Cruz a winner in Game One of his best-of-7, 4-3 (box). Cruz had a productive day whie playing 2B and SS, 1-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt and an RBI on a sacrifice fly, along with a stolen base. He played both 2B an SS.

[Mass Haas]

Luis Cruz was only 1-for-4, but his 8th inning RBI double was part of a five-run rally that gave his team a 2-0 series lead in their best-of-seven quarterfinal (box).

 

In the D.R., Erick Almonte was 1-for-4 as the DH as his club lost (box), and no time off for RHP Zack Segovia, with a nice 1-2-3 save (box) --

 

Escogido Bottom of the 9th

• Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Jesus Colome.
  
• Wilkin Castillo grounds out, shortstop Michael Martinez to first baseman Corey Smith.
  
• Deibinson Romero grounds out, shortstop Michael Martinez to first baseman Corey Smith.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Felix Carrasco replaces Pedro Lopez.
  
• Felix Carrasco strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

Sunday's Puerto Rico League playoff boxes arrived, and teammates Sergio Miranda, Wil Nieves, and Edwin Maysonet saw their club fall 5-4 on a walkoff double (box).

 

Miranda singled and walked three times, drove in a run and scored twice, but was also picked off second base. Nieves was 0-for-4 and had the ignominy of having former Brewer catcher Robinson Cancel steal a base on him. Maysonet singled and walked.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rican teammates Sergio Miranda, Wil Nieves, and Edwin Maysonet saw their San Juan team win, 4-1 (box). Miranda led off and played second base (0-for-4). C Nieves doubled and scored a run in four AB's, SS Maysonet was 0-for-2 with a walk.

 

In the Dominican, Erick Almonte's Gigantes club fell to 2-5 in round robin play, but Almonte did his part in Monday's 8-1 loss (box). Almonte, batting 5th and playing LF, was 2-for-3 with a walk and is hitting .393 over seven games in the postseason.

[Mass Haas]

Mexico: Luis Cruz 0-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt -- batted 5th, started at 2B, moved to LF -- Tomato Growers with a 3-0 series lead (box).

 

Puerto Rico: Tight 2-0 win for San Juan (box); once again, teammates took part; Sergio Miranda (played 3B, batted 3rd, 0-for-3 with a walk, one error), catcher Wil Nieves and SS Edwin Maysonet batted 8th and 9th. Nieves 0-for-2 with a key sacrifice bunt, Maysonet 1-for-3 and was big in the lone "rally".

 

San Juan Bottom of the 3rd

• Jorge Padilla singles on a line drive to left fielder Edgard Clemente.
  
• Wil Nieves out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Xavier Cedeno to second baseman Benji Gonzalez. Jorge Padilla to 2nd.
  
• Edwin Maysonet singles on a fly ball to left fielder Edgard Clemente. Jorge Padilla scores.
  
• Bernie Castro singles on a ground ball to shortstop Justin Sellers. Edwin Maysonet to 2nd.
  
• Jesus Feliciano reaches on force attempt, throwing error by pitcher Xavier Cedeno. Edwin Maysonet scores. Bernie Castro to 2nd.
  
• Sergio Miranda lines out to third baseman Jeffrey Dominguez.
  
• Nelson Teilon pops out to first baseman Michel Abreu in foul territory.

Dominican Republic:

 

More production from Erick Almonte, but in a losing effort (box). Batting 5th and playing LF and 1B, 2-for-4 with a double, RBI, and run scored.

[Mass Haas]

Luis Cruz doubled and singled in four AB's as his club won, 5-3, for a 4-0 series Mexican League sweep. On to the semifinals.

 

***

 

In the Dominican, Zack Segovia with yet another save (box) --

 

Toros Bottom of the 10th

• Pitcher Change: Zack Segovia replaces Esmerling Vasquez.
  
• Danny Richar strikes out swinging.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Nelson Perez replaces Martin Maldonado.
  
• Nelson Perez walks.
  
• Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Alejandro De Aza replaces Nelson Perez.
  
• With Jose Constanza batting, Alejandro De Aza steals (1) 2nd base.
  
• Jose Constanza lines into double play, shortstop Michael Martinez to second baseman Argenis Reyes. Alejandro De Aza doubled off 2nd.

In that same game, catcher Martin Maldonado played for the Este Toros, even though he spent all season with the Mayaguez club in Puerto Rico that did not qualify for the postseason. Island-jumping...

 

In another D.R. game, Roque Mercedes pitched (box) --

Gigantes Top of the 5th

• Erick Almonte flies out to right fielder Brad Snyder.
  
• Pedro Feliz pops out to second baseman Diory Hernandez.
  
• Estarlin De Los Santos singles on a ground ball to shortstop Starlin Castro.
  
• Alberto Castillo singles on a ground ball to left fielder Wilkin Castillo. Estarlin De Los Santos to 2nd.
  
• Lucas Montero reaches on fielding error by third baseman Justin Turner. Estarlin De Los Santos scores. Alberto Castillo to 3rd.
  
• Rich Thompson reaches on fielding error by shortstop Starlin Castro. Alberto Castillo scores. Lucas Montero scores.
  
• Pitcher Change: Roque Mercedes replaces Luke Sommer.
  
• Wilson Valdez hit by pitch. Rich Thompson to 2nd.
  
• Oscar Robles grounds out, third baseman Justin Turner to first baseman Willis Otanez.

Gigantes Top of the 6th

• Wilson Betemit pops out to second baseman Diory Hernandez.
  
• Erick Almonte flies out to center fielder Freddy Guzman.
  
• Pedro Feliz flies out to center fielder Freddy Guzman.

Erick Almonte was on the winning side of that game, but was 0-for-4 with a walk.

 

***

 

Puerto Rico games did take place, but no boxes or recaps are loading at this time via MiLB.com.

[Mass Haas]

In their most recent Puerto Rico League game Wednesday, teammates Sergio Miranda, Wil Nieves, and Edwin Maysonet saw their San Juan team win 6-5 in a walkoff (game log) that saw their club move to 3-1, the best in round robin competition thus far.

 

Miranda was on base four times (two singles, two walks), Nieves homered as part of a 2-for-4 day, and Maysonet singled in four trips.

 

No action to report from Thursday...