KC Royals minor league outfielder Carlo Testa was coming off another solid season in the farm system, with 2012 being spent in Double-A. In the offseason, he headed to the land Down Under to play in the Australian Baseball League.

As a member of last place Melbourne, Testa hit .294 in 46 games (170 at-bats). He hit seven doubles, six homeruns, and drove in 19 runs. He walked 27 times and struck out 38 times. He stole ten bases, but was caught eight times.

To cap off the solid season, the Ohio native was one of six finalists for the ABL’s Fan Favorite Award. On Thursday, it was announced that Testa won the award with a record of over 2,000 votes.

The deeper into baseball’s winter league season we get, the lesser KC Royals players who are active. The four major winter leagues are currently in the playoffs without the use of Royals players. But I’ll update you on the playoffs anyway.

The Dominican Winter League round robin playoffs are still a bit close. Escogido, who finished the regular season at 23-28 is in first place with a 7-3 record. Regular season champion Aguilas is one game back at 6-4. Toros is 5-5, while Estrellas is 2-8.

In the Mexican Pacific League, the first round best-of-seven series are currently underway. Culiacan swept Hermosillo in four games to advance to the semifinals. Obregon leads their series over Guasave 3-2. Mazatlan also leads their series over Mexicali, 3-2.

In the Puerto Rican League, both Caguas and Mayaguez (who finished one game apart in the regular season) are tied at 4-2. Santurce and Carolina are 2-4.

The Venezuelan Winter League round robin playoffs are VERY close. Zulia and Caracas are tied for the top spot at just 3-2. Lara and Magallanes are 3-3, but just a 1/2 game back. Caribes is in last place at 2-4.

Now that you are up-to-date with the playoffs in those leagues, let’s update the Royals players who are still active in winter league baseball.

Carlo Testa

The Melbourne Aces will not be making the Australian Baseball League playoffs (last place at 13-21), but their Royals outfielder is doing his part to finish the season strong. They have also won four in a row.

Carlo Testa played in four games last week for the Aces, all in the outfield once again. He went 6-for-17 (.353) with two doubles, a homerun, and three RBIs. He walked once, stole a base, and struck out twice.

His former Wilmington teammate, Ryan Stovall, is coming off Player of the Week honors, where he hit .415 with two doubles, a triple, two homeruns, and seven RBIs for Canberra.

Moving on to Panama, where outfielder Nick Van Stratten continues to tear the cover off the ball for Herrera. He played in four games last week. He went 7-for-18 (.389) with three RBIs. He still has only struck out once in 14 games (57 at-bats).

Luis Melgar is pitching for Herrera. In two games last week, he was LIT up. Over 2.2 innings, he allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits (including a homerun) and a walk. He struck out one.

It was another tough week for first baseman Matt Fields with Caballos de Cocle. In five games last week, he went just 3-for-16 (.188). He did however have a double, homerun, and four RBIs. He walked twice and struck out twice.

With his Venezuelan season coming to an end, outfielder Luis Durango has moved on to Panama. In five games last week, he went just 3-for-17 (.176) with two walks.

Finally, in Columbia, Mauricio Ramos had a solid week for Sacelejo. In two games at third base, he committed an error. On offense, he went 3-for-7 (.428) with a walk and a strikeout. Luis Piterson played in two games at shortstop for Monteria. He went 0-for-8 with a walk and a strikeout.

Carlo Testa

The Australian Baseball League held their All-Star Game this past Sunday and pitted the Australian team expected to head to the World Baseball Classic against the World (the players representing the rest of the world in the ABL). KC Royals minor league outfielder Carlo Testa was a member of the World All-Stars and started in right field. He batted second and went 0-for-4 as the Australians won 6-4. Testa did drive in a run on a sac fly. Overall last week, he went just 1-for-14 in four games for Melbourne. He walked three times, struck out six times, and stole two bases.

Moving on to the Venezuelan Winter League.

Caracas sits in a second-place tie at 30-25. Juan Gutierrez continues to lead the league in saves, as he picked up his 13th last week. In 1/3 of an inning, he did not allow a base runner. His teammate, Guillermo Moscoso, made another start. In four innings, he allowed a run on three hits and a walk.

Lara is in fourth place at 28-26. Alcides Escobar went 6-for-21 (.286) in four games last week. He also drove in two runs. Outfielder Paulo Orlando went 4-for-16 (.250) in four games. He had two doubles and a walk, but struck out three times. Jose Jimenez pitched in just one game, but walked the only batter he faced. That hitter came around to score.

La Guaira is in sixth place at 27-28. In the three games Salvador Perez played last week, all came as the DH. He went 4-for-13 (.308) with a double, a homerun, and five RBIs. He walked once and struck out once. Anthony Ortega pitched in one game and allowed two hits and struck out two in 1.1 innings.

Margarita is just 22-30 and in seventh place. Manny Pina played in one game last week and went 1-for-3. Max Ramirez caught one game last week and went 0-for-2 with two walks and a strikeout.

On to the Dominican Winter League, where only pitcher Atahualpa Severino is active right now. For last place Licey, he pitched in two games last week. Over three innings, he allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out three.

Now to the Puerto Rican League.

» Continue reading “Royals Winter League Update”

Another week has gone by, so it is time for another KC Royals winter league update. Five more have begun playing winter ball.

Salvador Perez

Let’s start in the Venezuelan Winter League, where Royals starting catcher Salvador Perez is now a member of La Guaira. In his game on Sunday, he hit two homeruns and drove in four. In five games played so far, he is 9-for-23 (.391) with four runs scored and nine RBIs.

His teammate is a new member of the Royals, pitcher Anthony Ortega. In 17 games, he is 1-1 with a 2.82 ERA. Over 22.1 innings, he has allowed nine runs (seven earned) on 19 hits. He’s walked eight while striking out 22.

Elsewhere in the VWL, outfielder Luis Durango played in six games for Caribes. He went 6-for-24 (.250) with a triple and an RBI. He walked six times compared to four walks. He was 1-for-2 in stolen base attempts.

Catchers Manny Pina and Max Ramirez are teammates with Margarita. Pina played in two games last week, but went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Ramirez played in four games last week. He went 3-for-11 (.273) with a walk and two strikeouts.

Relievers Juan Gutierrez and Guillermo Moscoso are teammates with Caracas. Gutierrez pitched in two games last week and picked up a save. In 1.1 innings, he allowed one hit while striking out three. Moscoso pitched in two games and picked up a save. In two innings, he allowed a hit while striking out two.

Infielder Rey Navarro played in five games for Caguas last week. He went 8-for-21 (.381) with a double and a triple, while walking twice.. He scored four runs and drove in five.

Moving on to the Dominican Winter League.

Tony Abreu played in three games last week for Aguilas. He went just 1-for-8 (.150), though he walked three times and scored two runs.

Michael Mariot pitched in two games last week for Licey. Over 2.1 innings, he allowed two hits while striking out one. His new teammate with the Royals is Atahualpa Severino. In 15 games so far in winter ball, he is 0-0 with a 4.35 ERA. Over 10.1 innings, he has allowed six runs (five earned) on ten hits. He has walked five while striking out 12.

» Continue reading “Royals Winter League Update”

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.

» Continue reading “Royals Winter League Update”

The Arizona Fall League isn’t the only winter league involving prospects and baseball players. The Caribbean Leagues and the Australian Baseball League have all either started or are about to start in the next month.

Outside of the eight KC Royals participating in the AFL, there are quite a few more scattered across the winter leagues.

The Venezuelan League opened on October 11th and the regular season ends on December 30th. The All-Star Game will be held on December 2nd. Mario Lisson has played in four games for Navegantes del Magallanes, both at first base and in the outfield. He is 3-for-12 with two walks, two strikeouts, and a run scored. His teammate, reliever Brandon Sisk, has made one appearance. He allowed a run on one hit over an inning of work. He walked one and picked up a hold.

Blaine Hardy has made two appearances for Bravos de Margarita. Over two innings, he has allowed one hit while striking out three. He even picked up a hold. His teammate in Margarita, Max Ramirez, has played in one game at first base. He went 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored.

The Mexican Pacific League opened on October 13th with the regular season ending on December 30th. Federico Castaneda is once again pitching for Tomateros de Culiacan. He has made one appearance totaling one perfect inning of relief. Anthony Seratelli is also playing in the MPL. The utility fielder has played in two games in the outfield and is 2-for-9 with a strikeout.

The Domincan Winter League began play on October 14th, with the All-Star Game taking place on December 11th. The regular season comes to an end on December 21st. Three Royals are playing in the DWL for Tigres del Licey, but only one has gotten into a game so far.

Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio pinch-hit and went 0-for-1. Pitchers Francisley Bueno and Michael Mariot have yet to appear in a game.

The ABL begins on November 1st and outfielder Carlo Testa will be a member of the Melbourne Aces. He was one of the first MLB-affiliated imports to join the ABL. For more on Testa joining the Aces, click HERE.

The Puerto Rican League begins on November 8th. Infielder Christian Colon will be making up at-bats (due to injury) with Leones de Ponce. Joining Colon in the PRL is reliever Ryan Dennick, though he will be pitching for Indios de Mayaguez.

The Caribbean Series begins on February 1, 2013 with the four Caribbean League champions facing off against each other. The championship will be held on February 7th.

The NW Arkansas Naturals had six players named to the Texas League All-Star team on Thursday, four of which will start for the North Division on June 28th in Tulsa.

John Whittleman will start at first base (.257, ten homeruns, 32 RBIs, 17 doubles, 37 runs scored). Yem Prades (.278, 12 doubles, 33 runs scored) and Carlo Testa (.281, eight homeruns, 30 RBIs, 29 runs scored) will start in the outfield. Christian Colon will be the DH (.290, five homeruns, 24 RBIs, 28 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, 27 walks to 22 strikeouts).

Reliever Patrick Keating (2-1, 3.56 ERA in 22 games, seven saves, 30 strikeouts in 30.1 innings) and starter Justin Marks (3-2, 3.38 ERA in 12 starts, 49 strikeouts in 61.1 innings) round out the Naturals All-Stars.

Other Texas League All-Stars of note include the homerun and RBI leader Mike Olt of Frisco (Texas Rangers), Colorado Rockies third base prospect Nolan Arenado (he is one of eight Tulsa Drillers on the All-Star team), and former Natural Kevin Chapman, who was traded during spring training to the Houston Astros (Corpus Christi).

*All stats are as of June 15th via MiLb.com.

Despite a vigorous comeback, Omaha lost to Memphis 7-5. They out-hit the Redbirds 16-10, but went just 5-for-16 with runners in scoring position.

Wil Myers hit his 6th homerun in Triple-A (one of his three hits), a two-run shot in the 9th inning. Irving Falu returned to Omaha and didn’t miss a beat. He led off and went 2-for-5.

After Jonathan Sanchez exited (2.2IP, 6H, 6R, 4BB, 3K, two HR allowed), the Storm Chasers bullpen held Memphis in check. Blaine Hardy allowed one run over 2.1 innings (he entered in the 3rd inning with the bases loaded but escaped). Jeremy Jeffress followed with three 1-hit innings. Brandon Sisk pitched a perfect inning of relief.

NW Arkansas scored most of their runs from the 5th to the 7th innings en route to  their 10-3 win. The Naturals hit three homeruns: Christian Colon‘s two-run shot in the 5th inning, Sharlon Schoop‘s solo homer in the 6th inning, and Carlo Testa‘s three-run shot in the 7th inning.

CC went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and Testa went 2-for-3.

Ryan Dennick picked up the win with 4.1 innings of relief. He allowed one run on three hits and a walk.

Frisco scored all three of their runs via solo homeruns, two from Mike Olt.

Wilmington couldn’t complete the sweep over Frederick, as they lost 6-2. They were hampered by errors (five), walks (five), and missed opportunities by the offense (which isn’t anything new). You can check out my live blog HERE. I hope to have pictures and some video of starter Leondy Perez and reliever Edwin Carl up on the Facebook page on Monday.

Kane County got a walk-off victory in the 10th inning over Peoria, 6-5. Lane Adams delivered the game-winning hit with an RBI single.

Kellen Moen pitched well (he left with the win), as he allowed just three runs on seven hits over seven innings. He struck out eight.

Omaha tied the game in the top of the 8th inning at 2-2 (three straight two-out doubles), only to give up three runs in the bottom of the 8th inning en route to their 5-2 loss at New Orleans. Luke Montz hit a three-run homerun off Francisley Bueno.

The Storm Chasers had a chance in the top of the 9th inning, as they had two men on base with two outs, but David Lough struck out to end the game.

Ryan Verdugo got the start for Omaha and allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out five.

NW Arkansas scored seven runs over the 5th and 6th innings to defeat Frisco, 9-5. The five-run 6th inning was capped by Carlo Testa‘s bases-clearing triple. Testa fell a single short of the cycle and drove in five runs.

Buddy Baumann picked up the win in relief for the Naturals. He allowed just one hit and a walk over three scoreless innings. He struck out four.

John Whittleman went 2-for-4 and Yuniesky Betancourt, who is still on big league rehab, went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

A three-run 3rd inning did in the Wilmington Blue Rocks, as they lost the final game of their three-game series in Myrtle Beach, 3-1.

The Blue Rocks had just six hits, with Whit Merrifield and Angel Franco picking up two each.

The Blue Rocks bullpen pitched three scoreless innings of relief behind losing pitcher Yordano Ventura (5IP, 5H, 3R, BB, 3K). Edwin Carl made his Blue Rocks debut with a perfect inning of relief.

Beloit received a great starting performance from Jason Wheeler, en route to their 7-2 win over Kane County. Wheeler allowed two runs on five hits over eight innings (his longest outing of the season). He allowed a two-run homerun to Orlando Calixte in the 4th inning.

The Cougars collected just six hits, with Michael Antonio picking up three of them.

There were two day games on Wednesday for the KC Royals affiliates. Both were late game losses.

The Omaha Storm Chasers lost in 11 innings in Nashville, after leading 4-0 heading into the 7th inning. The Sounds walked off, 5-4, on a Corey Patterson RBI double.

Everett Teaford started for Omaha and did not allow a run over 5.2 innings. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four. The bullpen allowed five runs on seven hits and a walk over the final five innings.

The Storm Chasers out-hit Nashville, 12-10. Irving Falu and David Lough each collected three hits. Johnny Giavotella and Max Ramirez each went 2-for-5 with Gio driving in three runs.

NW Arkansas lost their day game in Springfield, 2-1 after taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the 7th inning. Justin Marks started for the Naturals and did not allow a run over six innings. He allowed seven hits and two walks while striking out six.

Carlo Testa continues to hit, as he went 2-for-4 with his fifth homerun of the season.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks’ winning streak came to an end tonight, as they lost 2-1 to visiting Salem. Tyler Sample was the hard luck loser, as he allowed two runs (in the first inning) on just one hit and four walks over five innings. He struck out nine.

Sample was out-dueled by Red Sox prospect Brandon Workman, who allowed a solo homerun to Brett Eibner over six innings. He allowed just three hits while striking out six.

Geulin Beltre continues to hit, as he went 2-for-3 in the loss.

A three-run 8th inning gave Kane County the victory over Peoria, 6-3. Murray Watts capped the inning with a two-run double. That hit made a winner of reliever Scott Alexander, who allowed an unearned run over 3.1 innings. He allowed two hits while striking out five.

Watts hit a three-run homerun in the 2nd inning that originally gave the Cougars a 3-1 lead.

Cougars shortstop Orlando Calixte made his 15th error of the season in the 9th inning. He’s on pace for about 70 errors. For the Cougars sake, I hope that pace SLOWS down.