Three more KC Royals players have begun playing winter league baseball in Latin America.

Tony Abreu with Omaha via Minda Haas (Royal Blues).

Infielder Tony Abreu has played all three games at second base for Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Winter League. Last week, he went 5-for-12 (.417) with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI. He did strike out three times.

The other two players are both catchers. Julio Rodriguez is playing for Gigantes del Cibao in the DWL. In one game, he has gotten just one at-bat (he struck out). Manny Pina is playing in the Venezuelan Winter League for Bravos de Margarita. He also only played in one game and went 0-for-2.

Pina’s teammates with Margarita are fellow catcher Max Ramirez and pitcher Blaine Hardy. Ramirez played in ten games, two at first base and one behind the plate. He went 6-for-15 (.400) with a double. Ramirez scored two runs, walked twice, and struck out once. Hardy pitched in four games and had a rough week. He blew two saves and allowed seven runs (four earned) over just 2.1 innings. Hardy allowed six hits and five walks while striking out just two.

Mario Lisson is playing in the VWL for Navegantes del Magallanes. He played in three games last week, all in the outfield. He went 3-for-10 with a double, two runs scored, four RBIs, a walk, and a sac fly. He struck out twice.

Juan Gutierrez pitched in three games in his second week in the VWL with Leones del Caracas. In three innings, he allowed three hits and a run (unearned), along with three walks. He struck out two while picking up two saves.

In Mexico, Anthony Seratelli continues to hit for Venados de Mazatlan. In nine games, all in the outfield, he went 11-for-36 (.305) with three doubles, seven walks, and a homerun. He scored six runs and drove in six. He did strike out nine times and stole a base.

Federico Castaneda is pitching for Tomateros de Culiacan. In four games totaling 2.2 innings, he allowed a single run via the long ball. He allowed two hits while striking out three. He picked up two holds.

*Jorge Bonifacio (DWL), Anontio Cruz (DWL), and Brandon Sisk (VWL) did not appear in a game last week.

Two current KC Royals minor leaguers got into the winter league action last week. Both were pitchers.

Left-hander Antonio Cruz, who pitched with High-A Wilmington in 2012, has pitched in one game for Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League. In that one game, he faced seven batters in one inning of work. Cruz allowed three runs on four hits while striking out one.

Jorge Bonifacio (right) with Cougars first base coach Julio Bruno via Craig Wieczorkiewicz/Midwest League Traveler

His teammate in the DWL with Licey is outfielder Jorge Bonifacio. He played in two games last week, but recorded just one at-bat. He went 1-for-1 and played the outfield.

The other pitcher to make his winter league debut last week was right-hander Juan Gutierrez. He pitched in two games for Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League. Gutierrez pitched two innings and walked one while striking out three. He also picked up two holds.

Elsewhere in the VWL, Mario Lisson played two games in the outfield with Navegantes del Magallanes. He went just 1-for-7 and struck out twice. He also walked twice but committed an error. His teammate with Magallanes, lefty Brandon Sisk, pitched in two games last week. He picked up two holds in 1.2 innings. He did allow two runs on two hits while facing eight batters.

Catcher/first baseman Max Ramirez and pitcher Blaine Hardy are teammates with Bravos de Margarita. Ramirez played both positions in two games last week. He went 4-for-8 with a double and four runs scored. The left-handed Hardy pitched in just one game and pitched a perfect inning. He struck out one.

Moving on to the Mexican Pacific League, where the Royals have two farmhands participating in winter ball.

Utility guy Anthony Seratelli is currently playing for Venados de Mazatlan. He played three games in the outfield last week. He only went 1-for-8. However, Seratelli hit a double, walked twice, scored a run, drove in two runs, and sacrificed a runner over.

Right-handed pitcher Federico Castaneda is once again a member of Tomateros de Culiacan. He pitched in just one game last week. In his one inning of work, he walked one while striking out one and picked up a hold.

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 Mexican Pacific League Playoffs have headed to the championship round, as Guasave and Obregon are matched up. Before getting into that matchup, let me update you on the KC Royals players participating in winter ball in Mexico.

Since my last update, Federico Castaneda has pitched just once. He pitched in Culiacan’s 17-5 victory over Guasave on January 14th. He allowed a solo homerun in the 9th inning. In his one inning of work, he allowed that one run on one hit while striking out one. Since Culiacan was eliminated by Guasave, Castaneda’s winter ball season is over.

On January 11th, Obregon lost to Mexicali, 4-3 in ten innings. Marlon Arias threw five pitches as he finished the 8th inning for Obregon with a strikeout.

The following day, Luis Mendoza started for Obregon, as they beat Mexicali, 4-3. He allowed three runs on three hits and two walks over five innings. He also struck out five. Mendoza was ejected in the 6th inning after he hit a batter. Arias earned the victory, as he pitched one inning. He walked one while striking out one.

Thomas Melgarejo picked up the blown save for Mexicali, though he threw just five pitches. He allowed one hit. Melgarejo entered with two runners on base in the 8th and allowed both to score on Doug Clark‘s two-run single (which gave Obregon the 4-3 lead).

On January 14th, Arias pitched in Obregon’s 3-2 win over Mexicali. He struck out the only batter he faced.

The following day, Arias pitched an inning in Obregon’s clinching win over Mexicali to head to the championship series. He threw just nine pitches while striking out two. Melgarejo pitched an inning in the loss. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out one.

» Continue reading “Royals Winter League Update: Mexican League Playoffs”

I haven’t written a KC Royals winter league update since the beginning of December, so this week I’ll be taking a look back at the month of December in the winter leagues involving Royals players.

Today, let’s take a look at the Mexican Pacific League, which just began the first round of their playoffs on January 1st. Navojoa is playing Culiacan and pitcher Federico Castaneda, Hermosillo is facing Mexicali and pitcher Thomas Melgarejo, and Guasave is playing Obregon and pitchers Luis Mendoza and Marlon Arias.

In December, Castaneda allowed three runs over six appearances totaling four innings. He allowed five hits and two walks while striking out five.

Melgarejo allowed eight runs (four earned) over seven appearances totaling five innings. He allowed eight hits and three walks while striking out four.

Arias moved from the Dominican Winter League to join Obregon at the end of the season. He made two appearances (totaling 2.1 innings). He did not allow a baserunner while striking out two. In the DWL with Estrellas, he pitched 6.1 innings and allowed no runs on one hit and no walks while striking out four in the month of December.

Mendoza made four starts totaling 16 innings before starting Game 1 for Obregon in the playoffs. Since December 7th, he allowed six runs (five earned) on 20 hits and three walks while striking out 12.

» Continue reading “Royals Winter League Update: Mexican Pacific League”

It’s that time of the week again, for another installment of the KC Royals Winter League Update. I know, I know. The winter meetings are going on in Dallas, but anything that involves the Royals is just rumors at the moment. So why not refresh on what some of the Royals are doing during these winter months?

Let’s start in the Dominican Winter League, where the most Royals players are playing. Aguilas (24-14) is in first place, three games up on Toros (21-17). Licey (20-18) is four games back, followed by Estrellas (17-21), Gigantes (17-21), and Escogido (15-23).

On November 29th, Aguilas beat Estrellas, 3-1. Joaquin Arias went 2-for-4 in the win, though he was caught stealing. Arias leads the DWL in hitting with a .370 average. Escogido beat Gigantes, 7-0 as Jordan Norberto (Oakland A’s) pitched 5.1 shutout innings. He allowed just three hits while striking out ten. Two of the three hits came in the 6th inning. Kelvin Herrera followed (he entered with two men on base) and pitched 1.2 innings. He walked one while striking out two. Toros beat Licey, 1-0. Yamaico Navarro went 0-for-4 in the loss while playing shortstop.

On the last day of November, Aguilas beat Escogido in 12 innings. Arias went 1-for-6 with a walk in the win. Brayan Pena pinch-hit in the 9th inning for Escogido, but grounded out. Elisaul Pimentel pitched 1.2 innings and allowed a hit and two walks. He also struck out one. He entered with two men on base and got Arias to ground into an inning-ending double play. Estrellas beat Licey, 6-5, as they scored two runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to walk-off (Jake Fox’ RBI single). Navarro went 2-for-3 with a walk in the loss (though he was caught stealing). Mario Santiago started for Licey and allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and a walk over five innings. He also struck out three. He left with the lead and two men on base (which scored).

» Continue reading “Royals Winter League Update”

Before I get to what the KC Royals players have been doing while participating in winter ball in the Caribbean, there are a few stories coming out of the winter leagues.

Colorado Rockies utility player Eric Young, Jr (better known as EY, Jr) was released by Margarita in the Venezuelan Winter League. The team says that it was due to tardiness, but he said in a statement that

a problem with travel arrangements for a family member led to his arriving in the fifth inning of a game on Thanksgiving Day. Young also stated that the incident was his only attendance issue and added that the team failed to address his safety and security concerns for his family member.

His manager with Margarita is current Arizona Diamondbacks coach Don Baylor (who coached his dad in Colorado), who was relieved of his duties in Venezuela on Monday.

Chris Marrero, who was expected to push veteran Adam LaRoche and Michael Morse as the Washington Nationals starting first baseman in 2012, suffered a torn hamstring in winter ball about two weeks ago. He returned to the States and had surgery and believes he’ll just miss some time during spring training. The Nationals, however, are saying he will miss all of 2012 and are thus looking at other first baseman (aka Prince Fielder).

Wilson Ramos of the Nationals is back playing for Aragua in Venezuela after his kidnapping.

There is an article you should check out by Evan Drellich on MLB.com about the mix of veterans and prospects throughout winter ball. One of those veterans is Dmitri Young, who is attempting a comeback at age 38 after losing around 60 pounds and managing his diabetes.

Now onto the Royals in winter ball update.

Apparently, Panama also has a winter ball league (it’s a league that MLB doesn’t cover on their winter leagues site). After being home to baseball’s World Cup a few months ago, the island country is also home to winter ball. They’ve gotten a lot of rain (like they did during the World Cup), but there are quite a few players playing there. Buck Britton of the Baltimore Orioles, Andrew Lambo of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Steven Lerud are there (had to mention them since I saw them play over the last two seasons).

The Royals have four players participating in winter ball in Panama. First up is Edul Escobar, who caught for Idaho Falls this past season (.287 average). This past week, he went 1-for-9. Paulo Orlando, who was a member of the Panama team in the World Cup, had a good week. He went 6-for-17 with six RBIs and two runs scored. He also hit two triples. Outfielder Julio Aparicio played with Kane County this past season (.169 average). Last week, he was 0-for-4 in two games.

The final player in Panama is Ryan Dennick, who was a reliever with the Wilmington Blue Rocks this season. His first outing of the week came on November 22nd, as he allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits over five innings. He walked one while striking out three. His next outing came on November 27th, as he allowed five runs (two earned) on four hits and four walks over just 2.2 innings.

» Continue reading “Royals Winter League Update”

The KC Royals lost another player from winter ball this past week, as outfielder David Lough returned home. No injury to report, just that it was time to come home and gear up for the 2012 season.

In this week’s update on the Royals playing winter league baseball, let’s start in the Dominican Republic. Aguilas and Toros are tied at 17-11, with Licey 1.5 games back at 15-12. They are followed by Escogido (13-15), Gigantes (11-17), and Estrellas (10-17).

In the first game of the week (November 15th), Licey took their game over Toros, 10-9. Licey collected just six hits (and made four errors). Yamaico Navarro played shortstop and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. He also committed an error. Gigantes beat Escogido, 4-1. Brayan Pena caught for Escogido and went 0-for-2 with a walk and an RBI (a sac fly) in the loss. Kelvin Herrera pitched two shutout innings for Escogido. He allowed three hits while striking out three. Aguilas shutout Estrellas, 4-0. Joaquin Arias went 2-for-4 with a walk, two RBIs, and a run scored while playing shortstop.

The next day, Escogido beat Aguilas, 3-2. Pena went 1-for-4 with a solo homerun in the 4th inning (he followed up Brandon Belt’s solo homerun with one of his own). Pena got the chance to catch fellow Royal Everett Teaford, who allowed one run on four hits over six innings. He walked one while striking out six. Arias went 1-for-3 with a walk in the loss. Licey lost to Estrellas, 1-0. Navarro went 2-for-3 with a walk (he collected two of the team’s four hits). Manauris Baez started for Estrellas and pitched six shutout innings. He allowed three hits and three walks while striking out seven.

On November 18th, Aguilas beat Escogido, 3-2 in ten innings. Arias went 3-for-5 with two RBIs in the win. He also had a stolen base off Pena. Pena went 1-for-4 in the loss. Herrera pitched 1.1 innings and allowed an unearned run on two hits.

The next day, Gigantes beat Escogido, 9-1. Kevin Pucetas started and picked up the win, as he allowed one run on three hits over six innings. He walked one while striking out seven. Pena went 0-for-4 as Escogido’s DH. Aguilas beat Estrellas, 7-1. Arias went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Toros beat Licey, 3-2. Navarro went 0-for-4 in the loss (he moved up in the order to sixth).

On Sunday, Aguilas beat Licey, 6-5 after scoring four runs in the bottom of the 7th inning. Arias doubled in two runs in that inning to give Aguilas the lead (and the eventual win). He went 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Mario Santiago started for Licey and allowed two runs on two hits and two walks over five innings while striking out four. Navarro went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in the loss. Toros beat Escogido, 3-2. Pena hit his second homerun of the week, a solo shot in the 4th inning. He went 2-for-4 in the loss as the DH.

» Continue reading “Royals Winter League Update”

There was a bit of a black eye that reigned down on the Venezuelan Winter League. Washington Nationals rookie catcher Wilson Ramos was kidnapped from his home. Thankfully he was rescued and is okay. Controversy ensued, as many debated whether or not MLB should allow players to participate in winter ball. I believe Ramos would have been kidnapped regardless of whether or not he was playing winter ball. He was at home. Anyway, two of the KC Royals American players left Venezuela prior to the kidnapping, Jarrod Dyson and Lorenzo Cain. Dyson was injured after running into a wall, while Cain didn’t make it through two weeks there because he was tired.

Manny Pina is the lone Royal participating in the VWL. He and Margarita are currently 12-18, 6.5 games out of first place. Pina does not play everyday (veteran Henry Blanco gets the majority of the starts behind the plate). Pina started on November 8th and went 1-for-3 in their loss to Aragua. He got another start on November 12th and went 0-for-2 with a walk. He had another passed ball (his fourth), but he did pick off Joe Thurston at first base.

In the Puerto Rican League, Caguas is tied for second place with Carolina at 4-4, while Mayaguez is in last place at 3-4. Irving Falu is a member of Mayaguez, while Rey Navarro is playing for Caguas. On November 8th, the two faced off against each other. Falu went  1-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base, and two runs scored as he batted leadoff and played second base. Navarro batted ninth and played third base while he went 0-for-3 in the loss. They faced off again the next day (there are only four teams in the league), but only Falu played. He went 0-for-4 with a walk.

The two didn’t play again until November 12th. Navarro pinch-hit in the 8th inning and popped out. He stayed in the game to play shortstop in Caguas’ loss. Falu went 1-for-5 in Mayaguez’ win. Navarro hit his first winter ball homerun on the 13th, a solo shot in the 3rd inning. Overall, he went 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored in the loss. On that same day, Falu went 0-for-4 in his team’s loss.

» Continue reading “Royals Winter League Update”

The Puerto Rican League got underway on November 4th (the Australian Baseball League began on November 3rd, though I don’t think there are any KC Royals players there). Irving Falu and Rey Navarro are playing in Puerto Rico. Falu is a member of Indios de Mayaguez, who are 1-2. Rumor has it that veteran Roger Clemens has accompanied his son Koby, who is a member of Mayaguez (word is he may try and pitch). I had the chance to watch Navarro play some this season with Wilmington (he was named the Blue Rocks Player of the Year). He is a member of Criollos de Caguas, who are 2-1 and tied for first place.

Caguas lost their opener 7-6 to Carolina in ten innings. Navarro batted ninth and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored while playing third base. Mayaguez also lost their opener, 4-1 despite collecting ten hits. Falu batted second and played second base while going 1-for-4 with a run scored.

Caguas beat Ponce on November 5th, 2-0, as both teams collected three hits. Navarro went 0-for-3 in the win. Mayaguez also picked up their first win, a 7-2 victory over Carolina. Falu went 0-for-4 in the win.

On November 6th, Falu went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Mayaguez’ 6-4 loss to Carolina. He also committed an error, which allowed two runs to score in the 6th inning.

» Continue reading “Royals Winter Ball Update”