2014 Arizona Fall League / Caribbean Winter League Thread

[Mass Haas]

[Mass Haas]

Mexico Box Score

 

RHP Manny Barredainherited a tough 2nd and 3rd, no-out situation, did what he could to limit the damage to one run --

 

Los Mochis Top of the 6th

 

Sandy Madera singles on a ground ball to left fielder Maxwell Leon.

Brian Burgamy doubles (5) on a line drive to center fielder Rico Noel. Sandy Madera to 3rd.

Pitching Change: Manny Barreda replaces Jorge Reyes.

Ramon Orantes out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Eric Farris in foul territory. Sandy Madera scores. Brian Burgamy to 3rd.

Saul Soto flies out to left fielder Maxwell Leon.

Pitching Change: Jose Meraz replaces Manny Barreda.

Emmanuel Avila grounds out, third baseman Joey Meneses to first baseman Jorge Vazquez

[Mass Haas]

Yet more Wei-Chung Wang love, via Jonathan Mayo's "Best of" Fall League List at MLB.com --

 

Changeup

 

Sean Nolin, Blue Jays. One scout mentioned that good changeups were in short supply in the AFL this year, but Nolin's stood out. The lefty struck out seven in his last start, with his offspeed stuff working quite well. Take out one awful start (1 1/3 IP, 4 H, 4 ER) and Nolin allowed just six runs on 16 hits in 21 IP (2.57 ERA). Brewers lefty Wei-Chung Wang was mentioned by scouts and players alike for his changeup, and Astros southpaw reliever Mitch Lambson received multiple player votes as well.

 

Control

 

Wei-Chung Wang, Brewers. Not only did multiple scouts mention him, but Wang received more player votes for best control than any pitcher received for any other category. The stats certainly back it up: The southpaw walked only two in 23 IP. Anthony DeSclafani was mentioned by a couple of scouts, though one said it's more control than command within the strike zone.

[fondybrewfan]

The development of Wang in the AFL has been a very pleasant surprise. If he amounts to anything DM is going to look like a smart man. Where is he going to play next year? AA maybe? The Biloxi team has a chance to be really good depending where all the prospects land.

[Mass Haas]

Adam at The Brewer Nation has put together a nice AFL stat summary post this AM which even includes newest Brewer (and former Brave) farmhand OF Kyle Wren.

[TheCrew07]

The development of Wang in the AFL has been a very pleasant surprise. If he amounts to anything DM is going to look like a smart man. Where is he going to play next year? AA maybe? The Biloxi team has a chance to be really good depending where all the prospects land.

 

I don't think it's all that surprising if you watched him pitch... his control was poor for a MLB pitcher which is why he was behind in the count and getting shelled on occasion, but his stuff was plenty good enough for A ball, as evidenced by his successful "rehab" stint between WI and BC this year.

 

There have been posters who've been pretty dismissive about how much the strike zone tightens as players move up but it's a big deal as hitters swing at less junk out of the zone.

 

I'd like him to start in A+ and get a real solid half a season in before bumping up, but I'd be fine with AA as well if he holds his own. He's already behind the curve because of his origin, TJ surgery, and then being a rule 5 pick, so I can see where the organization would want to push him, but I'd hope they'd be less aggressive considering he's never pitched a full season in his affiliated career.

[Mass Haas]

RHP Eric Marzec in Venezuela - Love for his Glove

 

[Mass Haas]

Three consecutive informative tweets from Tom Haudricourt today --

 

I talked to asst GM Gord Ash and he said Kyle Wren is similar in skill set to Tyrone Taylor, who I have ranked as No. 1 #Brewers prospect.

 

Gord Ash also told me that LHP Wei-Chung Wang made so much progress in Arizona Fall League that might open in Double-A next season.

 

One more AFL tidbit from #Brewers Gord Ash: INF Hector Gomez looked good at 2B and now is strong candidate for UTIL job in 2015.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

2011 2nd round RHP Jorge Lopez is still just 21 years old (22 in February).

 

His start tonight -- 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, GB:FB 7:2; two double plays helped

 

Caguas Top of the 1st

 

Henry Ramos flies out to center fielder Noel Cuevas.

Luis Mateo lines out to left fielder Jesmuel Valentin.

Rey Navarro singles on a line drive to center fielder Noel Cuevas.

Trever Adams doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Luis Montanez. Rey Navarro scores.

Carlos Rivera grounds out, first baseman Kennys Vargas to pitcher Jorge Lopez.

 

Caguas Top of the 2nd

 

Ramon Castro grounds out, shortstop Andrew Velazquez to first baseman Kennys Vargas.

Edgardo Baez walks.

Juan Silva singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jesmuel Valentin. Edgardo Baez to 2nd.

Angel Sanchez grounds into a double play, shortstop Andrew Velazquez to second baseman T. J. Rivera to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Juan Silva out at 2nd.

 

Caguas Top of the 3rd

 

Henry Ramos grounds out, second baseman T. J. Rivera to first baseman Kennys Vargas.

Luis Mateo called out on strikes.

Rey Navarro singles on a ground ball to center fielder Noel Cuevas.

Trever Adams strikes out swinging.

 

Caguas Top of the 4th

 

Carlos Rivera grounds out, first baseman Kennys Vargas to pitcher Jorge Lopez.

Ramon Castro singles on a line drive to right fielder Luis Montanez.

Edgardo Baez grounds into a double play, shortstop Andrew Velazquez to second baseman T. J. Rivera to first baseman Kennys Vargas. Ramon Castro out at 2nd.

 

Caguas Top of the 5th

 

Juan Silva grounds out, second baseman T. Rivera to first baseman Kennys Vargas.

Angel Sanchez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jesmuel Valentin.

With Henry Ramos batting, Angel Sanchez steals (1) 2nd base, . Angel Sanchez advances to 3rd, on a missed catch error by shortstop Andrew Velazquez.

Henry Ramos out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Jesmuel Valentin. Angel Sanchez scores.

Luis Mateo singles on a line drive to center fielder Noel Cuevas.

Rey Navarro strikes out swinging.

 

***

 

You'll notice in the box that three pitchers with former Brewer ties helped shut down Lopez' squad.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Would love to report another nice outing for 20-year-old Maryvale ERA title holder RHP Joshua Torres, but he was brought in for the top of the 9th with his club down 1-0 and then this four-run frame happened --

 

Santurce Top of the 9th

 

Defensive Substitution: Alexis Pantoja replaces Christian Vazquez, batting 1st, playing shortstop.

Pitching Change: Joshua Torres replaces Manuel Soliman.

Jordan Lennerton called out on strikes.

Jonathan Rodriguez singles on a fly ball to center fielder John Andreoli.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Omar Garcia replaces Jonathan Rodriguez.

With A. J. Jimenez batting, Omar Garcia steals (1) 2nd base.

A. J. Jimenez doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder John Andreoli. Omar Garcia scores.

With Jorge Padilla batting, passed ball by Juan Centeno, A. Jimenez to 3rd.

Jorge Padilla flies out to center fielder John Andreoli.

Reymond Fuentes walks.

Luis Rivera homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. A. J. Jimenez scores. Reymond Fuentes scores.

Emmanuel Marrero grounds out, pitcher Joshua Torres to first baseman Jonathan Mota.

 

***

 

You see in the log that Timber Rattler Omar Garcia saw action on the basepaths. Torres' catcher, new waiver claim (Mets) Juan Centeno, finished 1-for-3 (one BB, one K).

[Mass Haas]

Venezuela Box Score

 

Guessing the Arcia boys could run this country...

 

Big brother Minnesota Twin Oswaldo homered and Brewers SS Orlando Arcia doubled twice in a 3-1 win.

 

RHP Greg Holle was saddled with the loss after this relief stint --

 

Caribes Top of the 7th

 

Pitching Change: Greg Holle replaces Luis Chirinos.

Balbino Fuenmayor lines out to left fielder Josh Kroeger.

Jose Gil singles on a line drive to center fielder Taylor Motter.

Gorkys Hernandez flies out to center fielder Taylor Motter.

Niuman Romero walks. Jose Gil to 2nd.

Orlando Arcia doubles (8) on a fly ball to center fielder Taylor Motter. Jose Gil scores. Niuman Romero out at home on the throw, center fielder Taylor Motter to shortstop Alberto Gonzalez to catcher J. C. Boscan.

[Mass Haas]

Dominican Box Score

 

Eventful night for "Lucho", 3B Luis Jimenez

 

2-for-4 night in his club's 4-3 win, including a double. Also, two errors at third base.

 

Keep in mind Jimenez comes to the Crew via the Angels with a strong reputation at the hot corner....

[Mass Haas]

Australia Box Score - Saturday Game

 

Asked to protect a 3-2 8th inning 3-2 lead, things did not go well for RHP Kyle Heckathorn.

 

Brisbane Bottom of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Kyle Heckathorn replaces Makoto Aiuchi.

Maxx Tissenbaum grounds out, first baseman Kellin Deglan to second baseman Scott Wearne to pitcher Kyle Heckathorn.

Andrew Campbell singles on a ground ball to right fielder Dylan Cozens.

Logan Wade homers (2) on a fly ball to right field. Andrew Campbell scores.

Johnny Field flies out to center fielder Adam Engel.

Thomas Coyle singles on a ground ball to right fielder Dylan Cozens.

With Joshua Roberts batting, Thomas Coyle steals (4) 2nd base.

Joshua Roberts flies out to center fielder Adam Engel.

 

Home-run hero Logan Wade is a switch-hitting 23-year-old Aussie shortstop who was batting 9th. Not a good moment for Kyle, who has now faltered in two of his three small-sample size outings.

[Mass Haas]

Mexico Box Score

 

RHP Manny Barreda was officially charged with one run in his two innings of work, but that was enough to be charged with a blown save in an eventual 4-3 loss for his team. Barreda inherited a near-impossible situation, but saw three runs score on a bases-loaded double.

 

Jalisco Bottom of the 6th

 

Jesus Lopez walks.

Pitching Change: Jose Meraz replaces Marco Camarena.

Eduardo Arredondo hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by pitcher Jose Meraz. Jesus Lopez to 2nd. Eduardo Arredondo to 1st.

Pitching Change: Manny Barreda replaces Jose Meraz.

Jose Manuel Rodriguez out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Garrett Weber to second baseman Eric Farris. Jesus Lopez to 3rd. Eduardo Arredondo to 2nd.

Manny Barreda intentionally walks Leo Heras.

Japhet Amador doubles (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Rico Noel. Jesus Lopez scores. Eduardo Arredondo scores. Leo Heras scores.

Marquez Smith flies out to right fielder Nick Buss. Japhet Amador to 3rd.

Cory Vaughn pops out to third baseman Garrett Weber in foul territory.

 

Jalisco Bottom of the 7th

 

Defensive Substitution: Arturo Rodriguez replaces Oscar Robles, batting 9th, playing catcher.

Gabriel Gutierrez grounds out, third baseman Garrett Weber to first baseman Joey Meneses.

Fernando Valenzuela flies out to left fielder Maxwell Leon.

Jesus Lopez grounds out, shortstop Issmael Salas to first baseman Joey Meneses.

 

***

 

Barreda has allowed 28 baserunners in 15 winter innings.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers representing Down Under --

 

[Mass Haas]

Slow Motion Mechanics - Wei-Chung Wang

 

***

 

[Mass Haas]

We'll kick off this morning's report by wishing Sunday Happy Birthday's to two Winter League participants.

 

RHP Greg Holle (Venezuela) is 26.

Catcher Juan Centeno (Puerto Rico) is 25.

[Mass Haas]

More from "Moore Baseball", single swings by Tyrone Taylor and Nick Ramirez --

 

 

[Mass Haas]

I tweeted this while live-watching the AFL Championship Game --

 

If you DVR'd AFL game today, broadcast crew opened bottom of the 7th highlighting & discussing the Kyle Wren trade (& his #Brewers jersey).

 

Wren would enter the game in CF in the 8th (no chances, and no at-bat).

 

[Mass Haas]

Dominican Box Score

 

3B Luis Jimenez, DH'ing here, drove in his team's only run in a 2-1, 12-inning loss. Jimenez had three singles (3-for-5) to lift his average to .298 (17-for-57, six XBH's).

 

***

 

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

SS Yadiel Rivera was 0-for-2 as his team mustered only three hits. Rivera (one throwing error in this game) is just 7-for-32 (.219), but has driven in 11 runs.

 

Omar Garcia pinch-hit for Rivera in the 9th with the team down 6-0, and struck out. Garcia is now 0-for-5 in his backup role.

 

***

 

Venezuela Box Score

 

SS Orlando Arcia (OPS .907, 115 AB's) singled in five at-bats.

[Mass Haas]

Jim Callis lists the top performer in the AFL / how the top prospect for each club did, for all 30 teams (LINK)

 

BREWERS

 

Best Performance: Left-handed reliever Michael Strong recorded a 1.98 ERA, two saves and 14 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings. He isn't especially physical at 6 feet and 195 pounds, but he can run his fastball up to 94 mph and backs it up with a hard curveball.

 

Best Prospect: Outfielder Tyrone Taylor posted a .271/.315/.306 slash line and was the AFL's toughest player to strike out, with one whiff every 13.3 plate appearances. His biggest assets are his speed, center-field defense and line-drive hitting.

[Mass Haas]

Venezuela Box Score

 

Busy game - Brewer on Brewer crime as the incredible Orlando Arcia takes starting RHP Tyler Cravy deep, also singled; Cravy is otherwise very solid through five innings; birthday boy RHP Greg Holle takes the loss. Holle also plunked Arcia, which we absolutely can not condone.

 

Cravy - 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 1 WP; 3:4 GB:FB

 

Caribes Top of the 1st

 

Niuman Romero grounds out, pitcher Tyler Cravy to first baseman Mario Martinez.

Orlando Arcia singles on a ground ball to center fielder David Peralta.

Oswaldo Arcia grounds out, second baseman Alberto Gonzalez to first baseman Mario Martinez. Orlando Arcia to 2nd.

Jose Castillo pops out to first baseman Mario Martinez.

 

Caribes Top of the 2nd

 

Cory Aldridge singles on a ground ball to center fielder David Peralta.

Oscar Salazar pops out to third baseman Luis Maza in foul territory.

Jesus Flores singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Kroeger. Cory Aldridge to 2nd.

Tomas Perez flies out to center fielder David Peralta.

Gorkys Hernandez singles on a ground ball to center fielder David Peralta. Cory Aldridge scores. Jesus Flores to 2nd.

With Niuman Romero batting, wild pitch by Tyler Cravy, Jesus Flores to 3rd. Gorkys Hernandez to 2nd.

Niuman Romero strikes out swinging.

 

Caribes Top of the 3rd

 

Orlando Arcia grounds out, second baseman Alberto Gonzalez to first baseman Mario Martinez.

Oswaldo Arcia pops out to first baseman Mario Martinez in foul territory.

Jose Castillo flies out to right fielder Wilson Batista.

 

Caribes Top of the 4th

 

Cory Aldridge singles on a line drive to left fielder Josh Kroeger.

Oscar Salazar flies out to center fielder David Peralta.

Jesus Flores called out on strikes.

Tomas Perez flies out to right fielder Wilson Batista.

 

Caribes Top of the 5th

 

Gorkys Hernandez strikes out swinging.

Niuman Romero strikes out swinging.

Orlando Arcia homers (7) on a fly ball to left field.

Defensive Substitution: Carlos Garcia replaces second baseman Alberto Gonzalez, batting 5th, playing second base.

Oswaldo Arcia pops out to shortstop Wilfredo Tovar.

 

***

 

Holle victimized by the brothers Arcia.

 

Caribes Top of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Greg Holle replaces Moises Hernandez.

Niuman Romero called out on strikes.

Orlando Arcia hit by pitch.

Oswaldo Arcia homers (4) on a fly ball to left field. Orlando Arcia scores.

Jose Castillo grounds out, third baseman Luis Maza to first baseman Mario Martinez.

Pitching Change: Jesus Yepez replaces Greg Holle.

Cory Aldridge singles on a ground ball to left fielder Josh Kroeger.

Pitching Change: Luis Ramirez replaces Jesus Yepez.

Oscar Salazar doubles (8) on a fly ball to left fielder Josh Kroeger. Cory Aldridge to 3rd.

Jesus Flores singles on a ground ball to left fielder Josh Kroeger. Cory Aldridge scores. Oscar Salazar scores. Jesus Flores to 2nd on the throw.

Tomas Perez flies out to left fielder Josh Kroeger.

 

***

 

SS Orlando Arcia, 20 years old, is tied for the Venezuelan League lead in HR's with seven, is tied for 2nd in RBI with 22, and has a remarkable .940 OPS after a not-so-small sample of 119 AB's (12 BB's, 18 K's).

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Congratulations to Omar Garcia, the 2014 Timber Rattler got his first winter base hit and also walked.

 

Teammate SS Yadiel Rivera was 1-for-5 (double).

 

***

 

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Catcher Juan Centeno singled in four at-bats. Two baserunners were successful against he and his batterymates.

 

Young RHP Joshua Torres saw his 2nd bit of action in three days, allowing one run in two innings of work --

 

Carolina Bottom of the 6th

 

Jeff Dominguez grounds out, second baseman Jose Lozada to first baseman Jonathan Mota.

Pitching Change: Joshua Torres replaces Jay Rogers.

Carlos Corporan lines out to second baseman Jose Lozada.

Cameron Seitzer called out on strikes.

 

Carolina Bottom of the 7th

 

Geraldo Valentin remains in the game as the left fielder.

Edwin Diaz remains in the game as the shortstop.

Masayoshi Tsukada singles on a ground ball to center fielder John Andreoli.

Irving Falu out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Joshua Torres to first baseman Jonathan Mota. Masayoshi Tsukada to 2nd.

Ozzie Martinez grounds out, pitcher Joshua Torres to first baseman Jonathan Mota.

Danny Dorn grounds out, shortstop Edwin Diaz to first baseman Jonathan Mota.

 

Carolina Bottom of the 8th

 

Anthony Garcia pops out to shortstop Edwin Diaz.

Jesus Feliciano walks.

Jeff Dominguez singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jon Garcia. Jesus Feliciano to 3rd.

Pitching Change: Ryan Kelly replaces Joshua Torres.

Carlos Corporan strikes out swinging.

With Cameron Seitzer batting, Jeff Dominguez steals (2) 2nd base.

With Cameron Seitzer batting, wild pitch by Ryan Kelly, Jesus Feliciano scores. Jeff Dominguez to 3rd.

Cameron Seitzer walks.

Masayoshi Tsukada strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

Happy 26th Birthday to LHP Mike Strong, coming off his sweet Fall League campaign.

[Mass Haas]

Happy 22nd Birthday Tuesday to a likely 2015 Fall leaguer, OF Michael Reed!