2014 Arizona Fall League / Caribbean Winter League Thread

[Mass Haas]

Venezuela Box Score

 

SS Orlando Arcia had only one hit in four AB's, but two-out bases-loaded doubles are nice --

 

Watch it here.

 

In an article from Venezuela discussing Arcia's team, the note on him:

 

He fell over in the second half, especially in December, when injuries hit him. Was equal among the best sluggers and his defense was top.

 

We were previously unaware of any nagging injury concerns.

[Mass Haas]

Elian Herrera, with two singles, a walk, and a stolen base, led his team to a 7-1 win over Jean Segura's club.

 

Here's video of an opposite field RBI single.

[Mass Haas]

Dominican Box Score

 

A bizarre departure for Hector Gomez, no notation online of injury or ejection --

 

Toros Bottom of the 1st

 

Alen Hanson walks.

Cristhian Adames out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Angel Castro to first baseman Jordy Lara. Alen Hanson to 2nd.

Lew Ford strikes out swinging.

Ronny Paulino walks. Alen Hanson to 3rd. Alen Hanson steals (1) 3rd base.

Brian Burgamy singles on a ground ball to center fielder Juan Perez. Alen Hanson scores. Ronny Paulino to 3rd.

With Hector Gomez batting, Brian Burgamy caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Audry Perez to second baseman Ivan De Jesus to first baseman Jordy Lara.

 

Aguilas Top of the 2nd

 

Defensive Substitution: Juan Ciriaco replaces shortstop Hector Gomez, batting 6th, playing shortstop.

 

My favorite part of this box score:

 

Umpires: HP: NO UMPIRE.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Martin Maldonado was behind the plate for all eleven innings as his Mayaguez team dropped to 4-3 in round-robin play with a 6-5 loss. There were no stolen base attempts against.

 

Maldonado had a nice game at bat -- 2-for-4 with a double, walk, and RBI.

[Mass Haas]

Mexico Box Score

 

RHP Manny Barreda's team is in the best-of-seven Mexican Winter League semi-finals, now tied at one game apiece.

 

Barreda has pitched in low-leverage situations for most of the winter, and he had a rough night here, didn't retire a batter --

 

Mexicali Top of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Manny Barreda replaces Jose Meraz.

Walter Ibarra singles on a line drive to left fielder Maxwell Leon.

Dave Sappelt walks. Walter Ibarra to 2nd.

John Lindsey walks. Walter Ibarra to 3rd. Dave Sappelt to 2nd.

Ronnier Mustelier doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Eric Farris. Walter Ibarra scores. Dave Sappelt scores. John Lindsey to 3rd.

Pitching Change: Hector Daniel Rodriguez replaces Manny Barreda.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Luis Juarez replaces Josh Whitesell.

Luis Juarez grounds out, third baseman Sergio Gastelum to first baseman Joey Meneses.

Hector Daniel Rodriguez intentionally walks Xorge Carrillo.

Ricardo Serrano out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Rico Noel. John Lindsey scores. Ronnier Mustelier to 3rd. Xorge Carrillo to 2nd.

Gil Velazquez called out on strikes.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Catcher Martin Maldonado guided 30-year-old former Cardinals farmhand Pete Parise to a complete game one-hitter, a 1-0 win.

 

Maldonado doubled in four at-bats.

[Mass Haas]

Happy 27th Birthday Tuesday, Eric Marzec, coming off his strong Venezuela season

[Mass Haas]

Dominican Box Score

 

Jean Segura had a 2-for-4 night, and after 14 games, has posted a super-encouraging line of .370/.404/.481 (.885 OPS after 54 AB's), and line drives have been frequent as of late. MLB Network Radio's Mike Ferrin was there and liked what he saw.

 

We just added the AB's below to the "Segura Tracker".

 

Game fourteen 01/13 --

 

Singled on a line drive to right

Called out on strikes

Doubled on a line drive to center

Struck out swinging

 

On the other side of the box score, Elian Herrera, batting leadoff and playing second base, was 0-for-2 but walked twice and was hit by a pitch (with the bases loaded). He has a .346 OBP in 12 round-robin playoff games. Spanish tweets raved about his defense again this evening.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

40-man roster SS Yadiel Rivera singled in four AB's, fanning twice, but is still hitting .313 in limited postseason play.

 

***

 

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Both Yadiel Rivera's team and Martin Maldonado's are 6-3 in the round-robin, and they may meet to determine which club represents Puerto Rico in the Caribbean World Series the first week of February.

 

A very busy Maldonado guided his pitching staff to a 5-4 win (one passed ball but no stolen base attempts against). At the plate, Maldy was 1-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt (two K's).

[Mass Haas]

Venezuela Box Score

 

SS Orlando Arcia's team moved to 7-2 in the round-robin, if his team moves on to the Caribbean World Series, Arcia will have been playing for 11 straight months (since spring training last March).

 

Arcia was only 1-for-4 here, but his first-inning at-bat was impressive -- almost as impressive as the announcer's call:

 

 

Arcia has played in five of the nine round-robin games, and has at least one hit in each.

 

RHP Tim Dillard retired the only man he faced, by way of strikeout, stranding one.

[Mass Haas]

Orlando Arcia finished third in the Venezuelan League's Rookie of the Year voting, as per MLB.com's article.

 

(No word on who finished ahead of Arcia...)

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Never mind the box score, let's get to the scrum and melee!

 

This is video of Martin Maldonado getting hit by a pitch that was up and in. The pitch wasn't that inside, and Maldonado is actually hit as part of a checked swing. Maldonado takes a step or two towards the mound, and then the fun begins.

 

(It should be pointed out that that two batters earlier, Martin's teammate Randy Ruiz was also plunked, and was still on first base, likely adding to Maldonado's dissatisfaction.)

 

 

Here's the aftermath:

 

Mayaguez Bottom of the 7th

 

Kennys Vargas grounds out, shortstop Ozzie Martinez to first baseman Brendan Harris.

Randy Ruiz hit by pitch.

Daniel Ortiz pops out to third baseman Enrique Hernandez.

Martin Maldonado hit by pitch. Randy Ruiz to 2nd.

Gigantes de Carolina pitcher Mario Santiago ejected by HP umpire Kelvin Bultron.

Indios de Mayaguez catcher Martin Maldonado ejected by HP umpire Kelvin Bultron.

Gigantes de Carolina catcher Rene Garcia ejected by HP umpire Kelvin Bultron.

Indios de Mayaguez pitcher Hiram Burgos ejected by HP umpire Kelvin Bultron.

Pitching Change: Danny Barnes replaces Mario Santiago.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Yovan Gonzalez replaces Martin Maldonado.

Luis Figueroa pops out to third baseman Enrique Hernandez.

 

Former Brewer and current Maldonado teammate Hiram Burgos was ejected, and he wasn't in the game.

 

Just for giggles, there was more fun in the following half-inning:

 

Carolina Top of the 8th

 

Yovan Gonzalez remains in the game as the catcher.

Pitching Change: Tyler Herron replaces Scott Maine.

Jobduan Morales hit by pitch.

Indios de Mayaguez pitcher Tyler Herron ejected by HP umpire Kelvin Bultron.

Indios de Mayaguez Manager Lino Rivera ejected by HP umpire Kelvin Bultron.

 

Maldonado grounded out and walked in prior at-bats. Irving Falu managed to steal a base against Maldy and former Brewer farmhand RHP Zack Segovia.

 

And Martin's team lost this home game, 5-2.

[Mass Haas]

Venezuela Box Score

 

SS Orlando Arcia, batting 9th, singled in three AB's (infield single to third base). He also struck out swinging twice.

 

Arcia's hit came against a familiar name --

 

Caribes Bottom of the 7th

 

Felix Perez grounds out to first baseman Jose Flores.

Jose Castillo walks.

Oscar Salazar doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Ender Inciarte. Jose Castillo scores.

Pitching Change: Tim Dillard replaces Alex Torres.

Jose Gil strikes out swinging.

Orlando Arcia singles on a ground ball to third baseman Gabriel Noriega. Oscar Salazar to 3rd.

Niuman Romero grounds out to first baseman Jose Flores.

 

So Dillard survived a man on 2nd, one out situation. His club defeated Arcia's, 6-2.

[Mass Haas]

Dominican Box Score

 

Added to the "Segura Tracker" --

 

Game fifteen 01/14 --

 

Flied out to center field

Popped out sharply to shortstop (really, popped out sharply?)

Singled on a soft pop up to second base

Grounded into a 4-6-3 double play in the 9th

 

That double play was painful in an eventual 5-3 loss. Segura committed his 5th error in 15 games, this one a throwing miscue.

 

This photo is from Tuesday's game:

 

 

***

 

Remember this from Sunday's action?

 

Dominican Box Score

 

A bizarre departure for Hector Gomez, no notation online of injury or ejection --

 

Toros Bottom of the 1st

 

Alen Hanson walks.

Cristhian Adames out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Angel Castro to first baseman Jordy Lara. Alen Hanson to 2nd.

Lew Ford strikes out swinging.

Ronny Paulino walks. Alen Hanson to 3rd. Alen Hanson steals (1) 3rd base.

Brian Burgamy singles on a ground ball to center fielder Juan Perez. Alen Hanson scores. Ronny Paulino to 3rd.

With Hector Gomez batting, Brian Burgamy caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Audry Perez to second baseman Ivan De Jesus to first baseman Jordy Lara.

 

Aguilas Top of the 2nd

 

Defensive Substitution: Juan Ciriaco replaces shortstop Hector Gomez, batting 6th, playing shortstop.

 

We haven't seen red-hot Hector since.

[Mass Haas]

Dominican Box Score

 

It is now my formal crusade to get 30-year-old RHP Wirfin Obispo an official invite to big league spring training with the Crew. Dude has been slicing and dicing going back to the very beginning of the winter season in October, dominating both regular season and round robin winter play.

 

Aguilas Top of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Wirfin Obispo replaces Luis Garcia.

Manny Ramirez grounds out, shortstop Gustavo Nunez to first baseman Ed Rogers.

Dan Black flies out to left fielder Michael Martinez.

Juan Perez flies out to right fielder Jordany Valdespin.

 

Do you think Manny ran out that grounder?

 

Obispo's teammate, Elian Herrera, aided in the win out of the leadoff spot, with a single and a walk in five plate appearances. He did commit his first error of the round-robin.

 

Another teammate, 40-man roster and out-of-options Luis "Lucho" Jimenez, hasn't played since an 0-for-5 on Sunday. We detailed his mostly miserable extensive winter season that evening --

 

Jimenez, Winter Regular Season: .207/.287/.357 (.644 OPS in 140 AB's)

 

Jimenez, Winter Post Season: .143/.240/.238 (.478 OPS in 42 AB's)

[Mass Haas]

Speaking of out of options, the three "bubble" players on the Brewers roster who are out of options are all Dominican infielders -- 3B/1B Luis Jimenez, SS/3B/2B Hector Gomez, and IF/OF Elian Herrera.

 

Remaining options, Brewers 40-man roster

[Mass Haas]

Jason Arndt got a few quotes from Fall League RHP Tyler Wagner.

[Mass Haas]

Dominican Box Score

 

Jean Segura's team is now 10-6 in the round robin, as is his opponent's team in this game, Elian Herrera's. Those two clubs will face off in a traditional final series to determine the Dominican League representative in the Caribbean World Series.

 

Added to the "Segura Tracker" --

 

Game sixteen 01/15 --

 

Hit by pitch

Flied out to left field

Flied out to right field

Grounded out softly to second base

 

Herrera made an early exit, and hopefully it's not quite as bad as this picture looks --

 

 

Gigantes Top of the 3rd

 

Carlos Peguero singles on a soft ground ball to first baseman Mike Bianucci.

With Maikel Franco batting, Carlos Peguero caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Wilkin Castillo to second baseman Elian Herrera.

Maikel Franco strikes out swinging.

Moises Sierra singles on a ground ball to center fielder Junior Lake.

With Wilson Betemit batting, Moises Sierra steals (1) 2nd base.

With Wilson Betemit batting, throwing error by Wilkin Castillo on the pickoff attempt, Moises Sierra to 3rd.

Wilson Betemit strikes out swinging.

 

Estrellas Bottom of the 3rd

 

Mike Bianucci lines out softly to pitcher Parker Frazier.

Michael Martinez singles on a ground ball to second baseman Hanser Alberto.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Juan Diaz replaces Elian Herrera.

 

So it looks like Herrera stayed in the game after the injury on the pickoff attempt (tweets in Spanish indicated he received stitches in his knees). He flied out in his lone at-bat.

 

UPDATE: Herrera tells a local reporter he received five stitches and will be ready for the next game.

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Martin Maldonado 1-for-5 in his club's extra-inning loss, his team now 6-5 and now fighting to finish in the top two in the four-team round robin, as the top two will qualify for the Puerto Rico League finals.

 

Maldonado saw another game behind the plate (no stolen base attempts against).

[Mass Haas]

The Dominican Finals begin tonight, best-of-nine series.

 

On one side will be Jean Segura, the other Elian Herrera / Luis Jimenez / Wirfin Obispo.

[Mass Haas]

The Dominican Finals begin tonight, best-of-nine series.

 

On one side will be Jean Segura, the other Elian Herrera / Luis Jimenez / Wirfin Obispo.

 

Brewers minor league signing LHP Nick Additon starts Game One for Segura's Gigantes club tonight. Jimenez is back after a few days off, Herrera is idle with his knee stitches (see the posts above), and Segura's batting 3rd.

 

Follow box/log here.

 

***

 

In Puerto Rico, the round-robin continues tonight - SS Yadiel Rivera and C Martin Maldonado are on opposite squads in a key game. Rivera's club is 8-3, Maldonado's 6-5.

 

Follow box/log here.

[Mass Haas]

Venezuela Box Score

 

RHP and Venezuelan fan favorite and legend Tim Dillard pitched a perfect inning and netted a hold in his team's round-robin win --

 

Aragua Top of the 7th

 

Pitching Change: Tim Dillard replaces Elvis Araujo.

Josmil Pinto pops out to shortstop Freddy Galvis.

Hector Gimenez pops out to third baseman Ray Olmedo.

Jose Martinez grounds out, shortstop Freddy Galvis to first baseman Donell Linares.

[Mass Haas]

Dominican Box Score

 

LHP Nick Additon never really gave his club much of a chance Saturday night -- 2.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 0 K

 

Estrellas Bottom of the 1st

 

Lew Ford walks.

Gustavo Nunez grounds into a force out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to shortstop Jean Segura. Lew Ford out at 2nd. Gustavo Nunez to 1st.

Luis Jimenez singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Leury Garcia. Gustavo Nunez to 3rd.

Robinson Cano pops out to shortstop Jean Segura.

Audy Ciriaco doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Moises Sierra. Gustavo Nunez scores. Luis Jimenez to 3rd.

Jordany Valdespin grounds out, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Brian Burgamy.

 

Estrellas Bottom of the 2nd

 

Wilkin Castillo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Leury Garcia.

Mike Bianucci grounds into a force out, third baseman Maikel Franco to second baseman Alexi Casilla. Wilkin Castillo out at 2nd. Mike Bianucci to 1st.

Michael Martinez grounds into a force out, third baseman Maikel Franco to second baseman Alexi Casilla. Mike Bianucci out at 2nd. Michael Martinez to 1st.

Lew Ford flies out to left fielder Moises Sierra.

 

Estrellas Bottom of the 3rd

 

Gustavo Nunez doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Moises Sierra.

Luis Jimenez reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Jean Segura to third baseman Maikel Franco to shortstop Jean Segura to pitcher Nick Additon. Gustavo Nunez out at 3rd. Luis Jimenez to 2nd on the throw.

Robinson Cano singles on a ground ball to right fielder Carlos Peguero. Luis Jimenez scores. Robinson Cano to 2nd on the throw.

Audy Ciriaco grounds out softly, third baseman Maikel Franco to first baseman Brian Burgamy.

Jordany Valdespin doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Leury Garcia. Robinson Cano scores.

Wilkin Castillo doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Leury Garcia. Jordany Valdespin scores.

Pitching Change: Willy Paredes replaces Nick Additon.

Mike Bianucci singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Moises Sierra. Wilkin Castillo scores.

Michael Martinez grounds out softly, second baseman Alexi Casilla to first baseman Brian Burgamy

 

Yeah, that Robinson Cano guy is pretty good.

 

Luis Jimenez played first base, and was 1-for-4 with a walk (two runs scored).

 

Oh, and Jimenez flashed some leather at the position he only has limited history with --

 

 

Added to the "Segura Tracker"

 

Game seventeen 01/16 -- at least for one night, a revert to the ground ball woes:

 

Grounds into a force out, fielded by the shortstop

Grounded out to shortstop

Walked

Grounded out into a 6-4-3 double play

 

***

 

They take things seriously -- six umpires for the Championship Series.

[Mass Haas]

By the way, Luis "Lucho" Jimenez celebrates birthday #27 on Sunday. Enjoy, Lucho!

[Mass Haas]

Puerto Rico Box Score

 

Martin Maldonado willed his Mayaguez team to a 2-1 11-inning win with an awesome performance at the plate and behind the plate, including this walkoff --

 

Mayaguez Bottom of the 11th

 

Jesmuel Valentin walks.

Luis Montanez singles on a line drive to center fielder Reymond Fuentes. Jesmuel Valentin to 2nd.

Randy Ruiz out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Travis Ballew to second baseman Robert Andino. Jesmuel Valentin to 3rd. Luis Montanez to 2nd.

Travis Ballew intentionally walks Daniel Ortiz.

Martin Maldonado singles on a line drive to right fielder Peter Lavin. Jesmuel Valentin scores. Luis Montanez to 3rd. Daniel Ortiz to 2nd.

 

Here's the walkoff at-bat -- love how Maldonado makes his teammates chase him deep into center field for the walkoff celebration!

 

 

Maldonado finished 3-for-5, one a bunt base hit.

 

Maybe more impressive is what he did in cutting down each and every baserunner that dared challenge him in this tight game --

 

CS: Rivera, Y (1, 2nd base by Parise/Maldonado), Rodriguez, Jon (1, 2nd base by Burgos/Maldonado), Fuentes (1, 2nd base by Texeira/Maldonado).

 

SS Yadiel Rivera was 1-for-4, and as you can see just above, was gunned down by his Brewer organizational mate.