As I mentioned in last week’s KC Royals Winter League Update, no Royals are playing in the postseason in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, or Mexico.

However, three Royals were named award winners for some of the league’s regular season.

Salvador Perez

Starting catcher Salavdor Perez was named as Venezuelan’s Rookie of the Year (though he DHed 21 times). He hit .371 with eight homeruns and 39 RBIs in 32 games for La Guaira. He also had a slugging percentage of .412 and an OPS of .629, which would have led the VWL if he had enough at-bats.

Juan Gutierrez took home Reliever of the Year honors. He had a league-best 14 saves and a 0.81 ERA in 24 relief appearances. He also held opponents to a .158 batting average.

Two players from Zulia earned big honors in the VWL. Ernesto Mejia was named the MVP after hitting 16 homeruns and drove in 48 in 61 games. Dwayne Pollok was named the league’s Pitcher of the Year with a 7-2 record and a 2.36 ERA in a league-high 72.1 innings.

Former big league infielder Jose Castillo was named the Comeback Player of the Year. He hit .335 with 45 RBIs in 59 games for Caribes.

In the Puerto Rican League, infielder Christian Colon was named the Rookie of the Year. He hit .301 in 39 games for Ponce (his first time in winter ball). He also stole a league-best 13 bases.

His teammate with Ponce, Nick Ortiz, was named the PRL’s Comeback Player of the Year. He hit.278 with two homeruns and ten RBIs in 30 games. Andy Gonzalez was named the MVP. With Caguas, he hit .311 with a league-best 27 RBIs. Ricardo Gomez was named the Pitcher of the Year with a 1.02 ERA in 16 appearances. He converted all 14 save opportunities and struck out 22 in 7.2 innings.

In the Dominican Winter League, St. Louis Cardinals prospect Oscar Taveras earned the ROY after hitting .316 with five homeruns and 17 RBIs in 39 games for Aguilas. Hector Luna was named the DWL’s MVP after hitting .307 for Aguilas with a .408 on-base percentage and .514 slugging percentage. Former big leaguer Daniel Cabrera was named the Pitcher of the Year, as he went 5-0 with a 2.16 ERA in 11 starts for Leones. He struck out 32 and walked 16 over 58.1 innings.

I did not receive a weekly update from the Royals media department this week and their stats section does not cover Panama or Columbia, which is where there are a few players still playing. Plus, a Google search found me nothing on either league.

It was a lot easier to find out information on outfielder Carlo Testa in the Australian Baseball League. The Melbourne Aces lost all four of their games last week and Testa played in all four. He went 4-for-14 (.286) with five RBIs. He walked twice and struck out three times.

*The answer to Tuesday’s trivia question is: Billy Butler hit 21 homeruns in 2009 and had 95 RBIs in 2011.

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.

Jake Odorizzi won his first Triple-A game, as Omaha beat Salt Lake, 5-2. He allowed just one run on six hits over six innings. He struck out seven.

The Storm Chasers hit three homeruns: Clint Robinson, Tony Abreu, and Wil Myers. Myers went 2-for-4 and Derrick Robsinon went 2-for-3 in the win.

Down 8-0 after the top of the second inning was a deficit NW Arkansas could never completely dig out of, as the Naturals lost to Midland, 9-8. Noel Arguelles lasted just 1.1 innings in the loss.

The Naturals out-hit the RockHounds, 12-8. Christian Colon, Sharlon Schoop, Eric Duncan, and Nick Van Stratten each had two hits. CC scored three runs and Schoop hit a three-run homerun.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks complete their first series sweep of the season, with a 3-0 victory over visiting Potomac with a day game. They held just a 1-0 lead until the 8th inning when Brett Eibner and Cheslor Cuthbert drove in runs (Cuthbert had two hits).

Tyler Sample and the Blue Rocks bullpen outdueled the P-Nats. Sample allowed just two hits (though he walked four) over five innings. He struck out six. Jon Keck followed Sample with three scoreless innings of relief. Sam Runion picked up his first save of the season with a perfect 9th inning.

Jose Bonilla, who was just added to the roster from extended spring training on Tuesday, went 3-for-4 in his first start of the season behind the plate.

Kane County scored two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning en route to their 4-3 victory at home over Burlington. Michael Antonio hit a two-run double in the 8th inning for the win.

Lane Adams and Antonio went 6-for-8, as Adams scored two runs in the win.

Jason Mitchell earned the win in relief of Edwin Carl (5IP, 6H, 3R, BB, 4K), as he pitched two shutout innings and allowed just one hit.

The Omaha Storm Chasers split their doubleheader against Tacoma. They won the first game, 8-5 in comeback fashion. Down 4-0, they scored six runs in the 4th inning to take the lead for good.

Despite giving up two solo homeruns, Storm Chasers starter Vin Mazzaro picked up the win. He allowed five runs on nine hits and a walk over 5.1 innings.

On offense, Omaha collected just nine hits (only one extra base hit), but went 5-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Jason Bourgeois, Clint Robinson, and David Lough each had two hits. Robinson drove in three runs.

Omaha lost the second game, 4-0. They collected as many hits (3) as they made errors (3).

If you check out the box score, it has Omaha starter Sean O’Sullivan allowing three runs (two earned) over 5.1 innings. It then has no one else allowing a run. It also had the Tacoma reliever allowing a run.

Moving on to NW Arkansas, who lost 4-3 to Arkansas. The Travelers scored two runs each in the 7th and 8th innings to win. Yem Prades‘ 8th inning solo homerun gave the Naturals a short-lived 3-2 lead.

Naturals starter Chris Dwyer was solid, as he allowed two runs on three hits and three walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out five.

On offense, Christian Colon went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and Julio Rodriguez went 2-for-3 in the loss.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks walked off against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans for the second time in three days, as they won 2-1. Brett Eibner drove in the game winner in the bottom of the 9th inning on a shot into the left-centerfield gap (it may have been gone in any other ballpark). You can check out my live blog HERE.

Check out my Facebook page for video of Vance Wilson’s postgame interview and pictures of today’s game. I will also have video up shortly of Eibner’s postgame interview.

Despite a strong start from Brooks Pounders, Kane County lost to Wisconsin, 7-6. All but three of the game’s runs were scored from the 7th inning on.

The Timber Rattlers walked off on Nick Ramirez‘ two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Kane County reliever Robinson Yambati walked three in that inning to load the bases.

On offense for the Cougars, Justin Trapp, Jorge Bonifacio, Lane Adams, and Michael Antonio each had two hits. Adams hit a two-run homerun in the top of the 9th inning that gave the Cougars a short-loved 6-5 lead (he also scored three runs while driving in three).

Pounders allowed one run on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out eight.

The KC Royals are coming off a series win in Chicago this weekend. Last week, they went 4-2, with a home series win over Boston. Overall, the Royals are 13-20 and sitting in fourth place in the American League Central.

Omaha continues their struggles on the road, as they lost four games last week (9-13 on the road overall). Last week, the Storm Chasers went 3-4, but are still in first place in the Pacific Coast League’s American Northern Division (24-14).

NW Arkansas went 4-2 last week, including taking a four-game series at home against Springfield. The Naturals are 19-17 and in second place in the Texas League’s North Division. They begin a four game series at first place Tulsa tonight.

Wilmington went 3-4 last week. The Blue Rocks are 15-20 overall and sit in second place in the Carolina League’s Northern Division. They begin a four game series at first place Lynchburg tonight (they just lost 2 of 3 at home to the Hillcats).

Kane County went 5-2 last week. The Cougars are 19-18 overall and are in a third place tie with Quad Cities in the Midwest League’s Western Division.

Who will be taking home this week’s awards?

Hitter of the Week:

Majors: After more than nine seasons and 900 minor league at-bats, Irving Falu finally made his Major League debut on May 6th (I know the date coincides with last week’s awards). He delivered a triple in his first at-bat. However, he played a few times this week with Mike Moustakas dealing with a hamstring problem. Falu went 5-for-13 (.385) in three games with a double and an RBI.

Minors: Whit Merrifield, Blue Rocks. Merrifield has been hot as of late, making some wonder how much longer he will stay in Wilmington. Supposedly, he was sent back to play second base everyday, but has been seeing alot of time in the outfield lately. Over the past week, he went 9-for-23 (.391) with two homeruns, four RBIs, and seven runs scored from the leadoff spot.

Honorable Mention: Christian Colon of the Naturals and Orlando Calixte of the Cougars (both shortstops). CC went 10-for-23 (.435) with five runs scored. Calixte went 7-for-25 (.280) with six RBIs and five runs scored. It’s also been a few days since he committed an error.

» Continue reading “Royals Blue Aid Weekly Awards”

All four of the KC Royals full season minor league affiliates won on Friday.

Omaha had two 3-run innings en route to winning the series finale at Sacramento, 7-1. Terry Evans accounted for the three runs in the 2nd inning with a three-run homerun.

Tony Abreu went 2-for-4 with a solo homerun. Max Ramirez went 2-for-3 with two RBIs while Kevin Kouzmanoff went 2-for-4.

The offensive outburst made a winner of Will Smith, who allowed just one run on six hits over seven innings. He struck out six. Tommy Hottovy finished off the Rivercats with two scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four.

One day after a no-hitter, NW Arkansas received another stellar pitching performance, this time from Jake Odorizzi. He allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings en route to the Naturals 8-2 win over Springfield. Odorizzi struck out seven.

Patrick Keating pitched two perfect innings of relief with two strikeouts.

The Naturals also had two 3-run innings. In the 5th inning, John Whittleman hit a three-run homerun (three of his four RBIs). Christian Colon went 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Carlo Testa went 2-for-4.

A five-run outburst in the 5th inning gave Wilmington the 6-5 win at Frederick. In that inning, Brett Eibner hit a grand slam.

Whit Merrifield led off the game with a solo homerun (one of his two hits). The offensive outburst made a winner of Greg Billo, who allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over six innings (he allowed two homeruns).

The wild game of the night went to Kane County, as they scored three runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to beat Clinton, 8-7. Orlando Calixte hit a walk-off solo homerun with two outs (and he didn’t make an error).

The Cougars had 15 hits. The 2-5 hitters (Daniel Mateo, Jorge Bonifacio, Lane Adams, Michael Antonio, and Calixte) went 13-for-23 with eight runs scored and eight RBIs.

Omaha has now lost two in a row at Nashville, as they lost on Tuesday, 8-5. All three relievers for the Storm Chasers allowed runs, beginning with starter Will Smith (5IP, 7H, 4R, BB, 5K).

Johnny Giavotella went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Tony Abreu went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Tuesday night’s NW Arkansas Naturals game was similar to their big league club’s game: they were pounded from the start. They lost on their first day of their road trip, 12-5 to Springfield. Naturals starter Noel Arguelles did not get out of the first inning, as Springfield scored six runs.

The blowout came after Christian Colon gave the Naturals a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning (CC went 2-for-4 with two RBIs).

The Wilmington Blue Rocks have now won two in a row, as they beat Salem, 9-5. Geulin Beltre seemed to have listened to manager Vance Wilson’s talk because he went 4-for-5 a day after going 3-for-4. The middle of the order for the Blue Rocks (Cheslor Cuthbert and Brian Fletcher) went 4-for-10 with three runs scored and five RBIs.

Sugar Ray Marimon started for the Blue Rocks and allowed three runs (all solo homeruns) over six innings. He walked one while striking out seven.

Kane County had Tuesday off before beginning their three-game homestand with Peoria.