Another week has gone by, meaning it is time for another update on the KC Royals participating in winter ball. Four more players have joined the ranks, two in Venezuela and two in Columbia.
Let’s start in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Alcides Escobar
Shortstop Alcides Escobar began his winter ball season with Lara and played in three games last week. He went 2-for-13 with three runs scored and two RBIs. He walked once and struck out twice. Outfielder Paulo Orlando, who just finished up his time playing for Brazil to qualify for the World Baseball Classic, is Escobar‘s teammate. In six games, he went 10-for-24 with a double, a triple, five runs scored, and three RBIs. He did strike out five times.
Max Ramirez played in five games last week and went 5-for-16 (.313) for Margarita. He hit two doubles, walked five times, and scored two runs. Manny Pina is his teammate and got into two games, but went just 0-for-1 at the plate.
Catcher Salvador Perez continues to light up VWL pitching. With La Guaira in five games last week, he went 7-for-20 (.350) with three doubles and a homerun. He walked twice, scored three runs, and drove in five runs. Anthony Ortega pitched in three games last week. In 2.2 innings, he allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two.
Juan Gutierrez and Guillermo Moscoso continue to rack up saves for Caracas. Gutierrez went 2-for-2 in save opportunities last week. In four games totaling four innings, he allowed an unearned run on one hit and a walk. Moscoso went 1-for-1 in save opportunities. In two games totaling three innings, he allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three.
Infielder Rey Navarro played in two games last week for Caguas. He went just 1-for-9 with a strikeout. He scored a run and drove in a run.
Outfielder Luis Durango played in just two games last week for Caribes. He went 1-for-2 with a run scored.
The VWL All-Star Game is this Sunday.
Moving on to the Dominican Winter League where Licey houses the majority of Royals players.
Francisley Bueno made one start last week. In 3.1 innings, he allowed one hit, two walks, and a wild pitch, while striking out four. Michael Mariot also made one start for Licey. In three innings, he allowed one run on two hits, two walks, and a hit batter, while striking out three. Atahualpa Severino pitched in four games out of the bullpen. In 2.1 innings, he allowed two runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one.
Infielder Tony Abreu played in just one game last week for Aguilas. He went 1-for-3 with a strikeout.
Now to the Puerto Rican League.
Infielder Christian Colon played in four games for Ponce last week. He went 4-for-15 (.267) with a double and four runs scored. He walked twice and struck out once. Colon continues to lead the PRL in stolen bases.
Irving Falu played in four games last week for Mayaguez. He went 5-for-13 (.385) with two doubles and a triple. He walked twice, scored five runs, and drove in two. His teammate is pitcher Ryan Dennick, who made two starts last week. In 11 innings, he allowed one run on five hits and two walks. He struck out eight and induced a double play.
Outfielder Alex Llanos played in three games last week for Manati. He recorded just two at-bats (0-for-2 with a strikeout).
Ariel Estades played in just one game for Santurce last week. He went 0-for-1 and was caught stealing.
In the Mexican Pacific League, Federico Castaneda pitched in three games for Culiacan. In 1.2 innings, he allowed two runs on three hits (including a homerun), a walk, and a hit batter. He did strike out one and induced a double play.
In the Australian Baseball League, outfielder Carlo Testa continues to rake. He played in four games for Melbourne last week. He went 6-for-14 (.429) with two doubles. He walked five times, scored four runs, and drove in a run. He struck out just once and stole three bases.
Luis Piterson
Winter ball has begun in Columbia. Utility man Luis Piterson played in one game last week for Monteria. He went 1-for-3. Mauricio Ramos, who spent the 2012 season in the Arizona Rookie League, has played in five games for Sincelejo. He went 6-for-18 (.333) with two doubles. He walked three times (to three strikeouts), scored four runs, and drove in four.
*Blaine Hardy did not pitch last week for Margarita in the VWL. Jorge Boncifacio and Antonio Cruz did not play/pitch last week for Licey in the DWL. Robinson Yambati did not pitch and Julio Rodriguez did not play in the DWL.
Cesar Ogando did not pitch last week for Ponce in the PRL. Anthony Seratelli did not play again last week for Mazatlan in the MPL (though the second half of that season started on the 22nd).
