Another week has gone by in the winter leagues. Ten KC Royals players have begun play, while there is an update on the newest Royals player in winter ball.
The one player I am most jealous of with his choice of winter league location is outfielder Carlo Testa. He began play last week in Australia with the Melbourne Aces. In three games, he went 2-for-11 (.182) with two walks, two runs scored, and a stolen base. He did strike out three times.
The other winter league that got started last week was the Puerto Rican League, where the Royals have four players participating.
Christian Colon played in three games last week for Leones de Ponce, two at shortstop and one at second base. He went 3-for-13 (.231) with two runs scored. His teammate is Cesar Ogando, who was drafted by the Royals in 2011. In his one game, he pitched two perfect innings of relief while striking out two.
There is also a Royals duo with Indios de Mayaguez. Irving Falu played in four games last week, all at second base. He went 3-for-15 (.200) with two doubles. He scored three runs and drove in two. He walked twice and struck out once, while stealing a base. Lefty Ryan Dennick made one start. Over 3.1 scoreless innings, he allowed four hits and one walk while striking out four.
In the Dominican Winter League, three Royals have joined teams last week and all were pitchers. Francisley Bueno and Michael Mariot are pitching for Tigres del Licey. Bueno made one start and allowed two runs on three hits (a homerun) over three innings. He struck out one. Mariot, who may have put himself on the Royals radar after a successful 2012 season, made on appearance. He allowed two runs on one hit and a hit batter over 1.2 innings. He struck out three and picked up a hold.
Lefty Antonio Cruz is also a teammate with Licey. In one game, 2/3 of an inning, he walked one.
Robinson Yambati
Robinson Yambati was another pitcher who put himself on the Royals radar after his 2012 season. He pitched in one game in his first week with Toros del Este. In his one inning, he walked one.
Moving to the Venezuelan Winter League, where there were two new Royals added to rosters.
Infielder Rey Navarro played in four games (all at second base) for Criollos de Caguas. He went 6-for-17 (.353) with two doubles. He scored two runs and drove in three.
The other newbie was Guillermo Moscoso, who is also a newbie to the Royals organization. He pitched in three games for Leones del Caracas (which totaled three innings). He allowed one run on two hits and a hit batter.
Juan Gutierrez is a bullpen mate with Caracas. He pitched in two games last week, totaling three innings. He allowed one hit and struck out three while converting both of his save opportunities.
The newest Royal, outfielder Luis Durango, is currently playing for Caribes de Anzoategui (though he is expected to leave and play for Panama in the World Baseball Classic Qualifier this week). He is hitting .291 (25-for-86) with three doubles, 17 runs scored, and four RBIs. He has walked (13) the same amount as he has struck out (13). He has stolen five bases, but has been caught four times.
There are three Royals currently playing for Bravos de Margarita. Catcher Manny Pina caught one game, but did not record an at-bat. Max Ramirez got into four games, one behind the plate. He went just 2-for-17 (.118) and hit into a double play. He walked once and drove in a run, but struck out three times. Lefty Blaine Hardy pitched in one game last week. In 1/3 of an inning, he allowed one run on three walks. His lone out came via the strikeout.
Finally to the Mexican Pacific League, where Federico Castaneda pitches for Tomateros de Culiacan. In two games last week, totaling 3.2 innings, he allowed one run on two hits and two walks. He struck out two.
Tony Abreu, Jorge Bonifacio, and Julio Rodriguez did not play in a game last week in the DWL. Anthony Seratelli did not play last week in Mexico.
