2014 Arizona Fall League / Caribbean Winter League Thread

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Catcher Juan Centeno's average drops to .130 (7-for-54), 0-for-3 with a walk here.

 

He threw out 1-of-3 baserunners in an 8-3 loss, and wasn't happy in in the 9th --

 

San Juan Top of the 9th

 

Pitching Change: Jon Velasquez replaces David Rollins.

Juan Centeno grounds out, second baseman Jack Lopez to first baseman Neftali Soto.

Senadores de San Juan catcher Juan Centeno ejected by HP umpire Charlie Rivera.

Brahiam Maldonado strikes out swinging.

Edwin Diaz strikes out swinging.

 

Young RHP Joshua Torres stranded two of three inherited runners as he was asked to close out a seven-run 8th inning, throwing to Centeno.

 

Pitching Change: Joshua Torres replaces Yhonathan Barrios.

With Jack Lopez batting, wild pitch by Joshua Torres, Ismael Salgado scores. Wilfredo Rodriguez to 3rd. Reymond Fuentes to 2nd.

Jack Lopez called out on strikes.

Javier Baez grounds out, third baseman Ruben Gotay to first baseman Rene Rivera.

 

On the winning side, Yadiel Rivera entered midway, played third base, and was 1-for-2 with an RBI and run scored.

[Mass Haas]

Mexico Box Score

 

Obregon Top of the 9th

 

Pitching Change: Manny Barreda replaces Hector Daniel Rodriguez.

Esteban Quiroz strikes out swinging.

Armando Araiza flies out to left fielder Maxwell Leon.

Daniel Castro grounds out, shortstop Issmael Salas to first baseman Russell Branyan.

 

Low pressure, team lost, 6-2...

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Juan Centeno (.127) fanned as a pinch-hitter (thin bench, apparently).

 

Brief outings on consecutive days for 20-year-old RHP Joshua Torres --

 

Mayaguez Top of the 6th

 

Luis Figueroa flies out to left fielder Marcos Derkes.

Johan Limonta singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jon Garcia.

Yovan Gonzalez singles on a fly ball to left fielder Marcos Derkes. Johan Limonta to 2nd.

Kyle Johnson flies out to right fielder Jon Garcia.

Pitching Change: Joshua Torres replaces Miguel Martinez.

With Jacob Cordero batting, wild pitch by Joshua Torres, Johan Limonta to 3rd.

Jacob Cordero flies out to right fielder Jon Garcia.

 

Mayaguez Top of the 7th

 

Jesmuel Valentin strikes out swinging.

Pitching Change: Luis Ramos replaces Joshua Torres.

Daniel Ortiz doubles (12) on a fly ball to left fielder Marcos Derkes.

Kennys Vargas grounds out, shortstop Edwin Diaz to first baseman Rene Rivera.

Randy Ruiz singles on a ground ball to pitcher Luis Ramos. Daniel Ortiz to 3rd.

Luis Figueroa pops out to shortstop Edwin Diaz.

[Mass Haas]

Venezuela Box Score

 

SS Orlando Arcia continues to bat 9th of late, but he was 0-for-4 in his team's 10-9 loss.

 

After 205 winter at-bats, his various sample sizes are large enough to view at his player page link.

[Mass Haas]

Dominican Box Score

 

Luis Jimenez 0-for-3, walk, K, run scored, played first base

[Mass Haas]

Catching up from Sunday (other Sunday updates in the posts above), there was one debut that was overlooked during the overnight --

 

21-year-old (22 in March) corner outfielder Jose Pena played left field and batted 3rd for the Licey squad, going 1-for-4 in an 8-3 loss.

 

The 2014 Timber Rattler posted a disappointing .640 OPS in 398 AB's in his first taste above rookie ball after four seasons at the combined Dominican Summer League / Maryvale / Helena rookie levels. As you'll see by reviewing Pena's player page link, his OPS numbers had been promising prior in 2012-2013.

 

Pena was considered a bargain at a still-significant $400,000 signing bonus in July 2009. He began his pro career in 2010.

 

Dominican Box Score

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

SS Yadiel Rivera played third base, 1-for-3, walk, run scored (solid .673 OPS in 101 winter AB's)

 

***

 

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Juan Centeno's winter has become sad. The catcher, DH'ing in this one (again, weak bench, apparently), is now 7-for-59 (.375 OPS) after an 0-for-4 performance.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

In the first game of a doubleheader (seven innings), three Brewers took part --

 

SS Yadiel Rivera went 1-for-3 as his team won, 3-1

 

Juan Centeno, pinch-hitting, grounded out to drop his average to .117 (7-for-60). He's 0-for-29 and last got a hit on November 16th.

 

Do the Brewers want 20-year-old RHP Joshua Torres making three appearances in four days? Pick up the phone, guys.

 

Santurce Top of the 7th

 

Juan Centeno remains in the game as the catcher.

Pitching Change: Joshua Torres replaces Miguel Martinez.

A. J. Jimenez walks.

Yadiel Rivera singles on a line drive to left fielder Brahiam Maldonado. A. J. Jimenez to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Reymond Fuentes replaces Luis Rivera.

Reymond Fuentes out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Rene Rivera. A. J. Jimenez to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd.

Jonathan Rodriguez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Joseph Dunigan. A. Jimenez scores.

Ismael Salgado grounds out, second baseman Ivan De Jesus to first baseman Rene Rivera.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Catcher Martin Maldonado threw out the one baserunner attempting to steal (of course), and at the plate was 1-for-2 with a walk and a sacrifice bunt.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Surely just what the managers and pitching coaches wanted to see -- after playing a seven-inning opener (detailed above), SS Yadiel Rivera and C Juan Centeno (who once again DH'd) played a 14-inning nightcap, with Centeno's club winning 3-2 to split the doubleheader.

 

Rivera singled in six trips, but also struck out four times. Strikeouts have not been a huge issue, now with 22 in 110 winter AB's, slightly better than his 2014 regular season rate.

 

Centeno also went 1-for-6, which actually lifted his winter average to .121.

 

San Juan Bottom of the 5th

 

Juan Centeno singles on a ground ball to center fielder Reymond Fuentes.

 

Found a hole, baby!

[Mass Haas]

Do the Brewers want 20-year-old RHP Joshua Torres making three appearances in four days? Pick up the phone, guys.

 

Santurce Top of the 7th

 

Juan Centeno remains in the game as the catcher.

Pitching Change: Joshua Torres replaces Miguel Martinez.

A. J. Jimenez walks.

Yadiel Rivera singles on a line drive to left fielder Brahiam Maldonado. A. J. Jimenez to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Reymond Fuentes replaces Luis Rivera.

Reymond Fuentes out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Rene Rivera. A. J. Jimenez to 3rd. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd.

Jonathan Rodriguez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Joseph Dunigan. A. Jimenez scores.

Ismael Salgado grounds out, second baseman Ivan De Jesus to first baseman Rene Rivera.

 

So yes, Joshua Torres' three outings in four days only added up to five outs and seven batters faced.

 

But if we think about it, the 2014 Arizona Rookie League ERA leader would have never appeared in a 3rd game in four days if he were pitching in Maryvale or Helena, and to be honest, probably Wisconsin as well (we'll have to have Chris Mehring research that one for us ).

 

It's one thing if it's a veteran player in a winter league, but with a kid like Torres, there need to be some pre-set conditions in place (parental controls -- the Brewers are the dad, and the management team in San Juan is the remote control pre-set).

 

I don't think I'm over-reacting on this.

[Mass Haas]

All four winter leagues are idle for Christmas Eve.

 

***

 

The Mexican League actually has a full slate on Christmas, so we may sneak in a Manny Barreda relief appearance Thursday.

 

***

 

The Dominican League's regular season completed on Sunday.

 

Four of the six teams qualify for the postseason round-robin tournament.

 

Players on teams that did qualify for the postseason -- RHP Wirfin Obispo, IF's Hector Gomez, Luis Jimenez, Elian Herrera

 

Missing out -- LHP Nick Additon (solid over six games, four of them starts), 1B Hunter Morris (stay was brief) and OF Jose Pena (who just started playing)

 

The top four teams engage in a round-robin schedule with 18 games per team from the end of December to the end of January; the top two teams in those standings then play a best-of-nine series for the national title.

[Mass Haas]

Pretty amazing that this thread, which will run through the end of the Caribbean World Series in the 2nd week of February, already has nearly 16,000 views. Thanks to all!

 

I hope seeing box scores in what, at least here on the East Coast, has been the grayest, wettest, early winter I can remember in a while, has warmed some baseball thoughts for you all.

 

Have an awesome holiday and Happy New Year!

[pete]

Back at ya and thanks for everything. Its warm for Winter and wet here in 'wawkee

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America Ben Badler's tweet on Orlando Arcia --

 

Liked him since his DSL days, but love the development of Brewers SS Orlando Arcia. Talented hitter, plus tools at SS, great baseball IQ.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

SS Yadiel Rivera was 2-for-3 in his club's 3-2 win. Rivera's working on a six-game hit streak and has a .361 OBP in his last ten games.

 

***

 

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Juan Centeno, who must own the team, inserts himself into the San Juan lineup again as the DH, was 0-for-3 with a walk. Centeno's squad drops to 11-25 as his average fallss to .116 (.362 OPS in 69 AB's).

[Mass Haas]

Dominican Box Score

 

SS Jean Segura debuted (you knew last night if you saw my tweet), so hopefully he finds a balance between playing too much (two years ago) and not at all (last winter).

 

Segura singled on a ground ball to center and dropped a soft fly single into right in his first two at-bats (both of those at-bats against talented young Cardinals' RHP Carlos Martinez, who pitched five shutout innings, no walks, ten K's!).

 

He then struck out swinging twice and grounds out sharply back to the pitcher.

 

Segura's team won, 2-1, in 11 innings.

[Mass Haas]

Dominican Box Score

 

Brewers galore in a 6-0 game --

 

Winners:

 

Elian Herrera, playing second base, 1-for-4 with a walk and RBI; Luis Jimenez, 0-for-3 in the cleanup spot as the DH, but with two walks; and RHP Wirfin Obispo, retired two of the four batters he faced, helped by his bullpen mate --

 

Toros Top of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Wirfin Obispo replaces Edgar Garcia.

Cesar Puello strikes out swinging.

Esteban German grounds out, second baseman Elian Herrera to first baseman Jose Ruiz.

Hector Gomez walks.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Brian Burgamy replaces Mayo Acosta.

Brian Burgamy walks. Hector Gomez to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Eury De La Rosa replaces Wirfin Obispo.

Jose Constanza flies out to left fielder Junior Lake.

 

On the losing side, Hector Gomez, playing second base, singled and walked in three plate appearances (1-for-2).

[Mass Haas]

The stats on the linked Dominican player pages will no longer update during this 18-game postseason round-robin tournament. The box score averages will reflect postseason only.

[Mass Haas]

Mexico Box Score

 

RHP Manny Barreda made his 26th relief appearance of the winter (he had 47 in the 2014 regular season, the last 17 in the Brewers' organization), and he stranded an inherited runner in a scoreless four-out performance --

 

Mexicali Bottom of the 5th

 

Dave Sappelt flies out to center fielder Daniel Hinojosa.

Walter Ibarra triples (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Maxwell Leon.

Luis Juarez grounds out, shortstop Issmael Salas to first baseman Joey Meneses. Walter Ibarra scores.

Josh Whitesell doubles (7) on a fly ball to left fielder Maxwell Leon.

Pitching Change: Manny Barreda replaces Marco Camarena.

Humberto Cota called out on strikes.

 

Mexicali Bottom of the 6th

 

Xorge Carrillo singles on a ground ball to left fielder Maxwell Leon.

Chris Roberson hits a sacrifice bunt. Xorge Carrillo to 2nd. Chris Roberson to 1st.

Ricardo Serrano strikes out swinging.

Gil Velazquez lines into a double play, shortstop Issmael Salas to second baseman Ramiro Pena. Xorge Carrillo doubled off 2nd.

 

***

 

Apparently, the game never finished, still in the bottom of the 13th as of this post.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

We've had some fun with Juan Centeno's line lately, but credit due here -- on base three times, single and two walks (1-for-2), and guided his pitchers to a 6-1 win.

 

***

 

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Speaking of catchers, Martin Maldonado also saw action, but his team fell, 9-3. Maldy singled in three at-bats, exiting for a pinch-runner in the 6th.

 

Love the random debuts you see, Jemile Weeks in this one. Each winter box score contains a random "really?" player, whether a blast from the past or a well-known MLB prospect.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Yadiel Rivera has a nice game, 2-for-4 with two RBI, including a sacrifice fly. Rivera split time between third base and first base, of all places. The sac fly provided an 11th inning insurance run in a 4-2 win.

 

***

 

Venezuela Box Score

 

SS Orlando Arcia, first action in a week, 0-for-3 with three K's, did walk once.

[Mass Haas]

Dominican Box Score

 

Hector Gomez split time between third base and short, 1-for-4 with an RBI (two K's) in an 8-2 loss.

 

***

 

Dominican Box Score

 

LHP Nick Additon allowed only one earned run over five innings despite allowing 11 baserunners -- apparently too much eggnog for me, I had incorrectly indicated earlier in the thread that Additon's club did not qualify for the postseason round-robin --

 

Estrellas Top of the 1st

 

Derrick Robinson grounds out softly, pitcher Nick Additon to first baseman Wilson Betemit.

Gustavo Nunez singles on a bunt ground ball to second baseman Alexi Casilla.

Elian Herrera grounds out, third baseman Maikel Franco to first baseman Wilson Betemit. Gustavo Nunez to 2nd.

Luis Jimenez called out on strikes.

 

Estrellas Top of the 2nd

 

Junior Lake flies out to right fielder Moises Sierra.

Wilkin Castillo singles on a line drive to left fielder Mel Rojas.

Ed Rogers pops out to third baseman Maikel Franco in foul territory.

Audy Ciriaco singles on a ground ball to center fielder Francisco Peguero. Wilkin Castillo to 2nd.

Michael Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Mel Rojas. Wilkin Castillo scores. Audy Ciriaco to 2nd.

Derrick Robinson grounds into a force out, shortstop Jean Segura to second baseman Alexi Casilla. Michael Martinez out at 2nd.

 

Estrellas Top of the 3rd

 

Gustavo Nunez called out on strikes.

Elian Herrera walks.

Luis Jimenez flies out to left fielder Mel Rojas in foul territory.

Junior Lake singles on a ground ball to left fielder Mel Rojas. Elian Herrera to 2nd.

Wilkin Castillo walks. Elian Herrera to 3rd. Junior Lake to 2nd.

Ed Rogers strikes out swinging.

 

Estrellas Top of the 4th

 

Audy Ciriaco pops out to first baseman Wilson Betemit in foul territory.

Michael Martinez grounds out, third baseman Maikel Franco to first baseman Wilson Betemit.

Derrick Robinson singles on a line drive to right fielder Moises Sierra.

With Gustavo Nunez batting, Derrick Robinson caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Carlos Paulino to second baseman Alexi Casilla.

 

Estrellas Top of the 5th

 

Gustavo Nunez singles on a line drive to right fielder Moises Sierra.

Elian Herrera grounds into a force out, third baseman Maikel Franco to second baseman Alexi Casilla. Gustavo Nunez out at 2nd. Elian Herrera to 1st.

Luis Jimenez doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Mel Rojas. Elian Herrera out at home on the throw, left fielder Mel Rojas to shortstop Jean Segura to catcher Carlos Paulino. Luis Jimenez to 3rd on the throw.

Junior Lake walks.

With Wilkin Castillo batting, Junior Lake steals (1) 2nd base.

Wilkin Castillo pops out to first baseman Wilson Betemit.

 

Herrera, playing second base, finished 0-for-2 with two walks. Jimenez, as the DH, doubled in four at-bats.

 

Addition's winning teammate, Segura, also was 1-for-4 with a double.

[Mass Haas]

Mexico Box Score

 

RHP Manny Barreda pitched one perfect inning in his club's 3-1 loss; he hasn't pitched in many victories, has been a low-leverage guy for his team over 28 appearances --

 

Mexicali Bottom of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Manny Barreda replaces Federico Castaneda.

Dave Sappelt grounds out, shortstop Ramiro Pena to first baseman Ali Solis.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Mike Bianucci replaces Chris Roberson.

Mike Bianucci grounds out sharply, third baseman Oscar Robles to first baseman Ali Solis.

Luis Juarez grounds out, third baseman Oscar Robles to first baseman Ali Solis.

 

***

 

Barreda's teammate Eric Farris was drafted by the Brewers in the 4th round in 2007, three spots ahead of Corey Kluber. Not sure why I analyze that to depress things from a Brewers perspective, you can make a similar line of "what if" for the majority of players. Of course, the real sadness is in San Diego, where they made this trade:

 

July 31, 2010: Kluber traded as part of a 3-team trade by the San Diego Padres to the Cleveland Indians. The San Diego Padres sent Nick Greenwood to the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cleveland Indians sent Jake Westbrook to the St. Louis Cardinals. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Ryan Ludwick to the San Diego Padres.

[Mass Haas]

Venezuela Box Score

 

SS Orlando Arcia doubled in three at-bats, scoring a run, as his team fell, 7-3. He continues to hit in the nine-hole since his red-hot first several weeks of winter action.