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.

The KC Royals designated SEVEN players for assignment on Tuesday. Yup, you read it right, seven.

First, it was catcher Adam Moore, who was a September callup in 2012 and caught Jake Odorizzi while he was up.

Then it was the slew of six that followed.

Brayan Pena was the one that shocked me the most. He had done well in his tenure with the Royals and proved to be a solid hitter and back up catcher. Now I’m curious as to who will back up Salvador Perez in 2013. Will it be Brett Hayes, who hasn’t done much of anything as a back up with the Marlins? The Royals avoided arbitration with Hayes and he signed a $600,000 contract.

They designated pitchers Vin Mazzaro, Chris Volstad, and Ryan Verdugo. They had just picked up Volstad off waivers. Mazzaro had the infamous 12 run game in 2011. Verdugo came over with Jonathan Sanchez last spring from the SF Giants.

First baseman/DH Clint Robinson along with speedy outfielder Derrick Robinson was also designated. Both Robinson’s are interesting cases. Clint had the chance to take over for either Billy Butler or Eric Hosmer if either were traded. He has always hit and if he does clear waivers, he will be eligible for the Rule V draft. Derrick had a solid 2012 season and has always been a stolen base threat. He just struggles with reaching first base.

It is expected that Pena and Volstad will be non tendered, as both are eligible for arbitration. The others could go in the Rule V draft.

So what did the Royals do with all that free roster space? They filled it immediately. They added players that they may have lost in the upcoming Rule V draft.

They added lefty John Lamb, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, along with fellow lefty Mike Montgomery (who I would have left unprotected and let another team deal with his inconsistencies).

Other left-handed pitchers that the Royals added to their 40 man roster are Donnie Joseph (who they received from Cincinnati for Jonathan Broxton), Chris Dwyer (who had a disastrous 2012), and Justin Marks (who pitched well in the Arizona Fall League and was one of only a few Royals pitchers in the upper levels to pitch well).

The lone right-handed pitcher they protected was Juan Gutierrez, who is dominating in winter ball. They also did not add any position players.

All of those moves filled the Royals roster. They now have 25 pitchers on their roster, but just two catchers.

Another week has gone by, meaning it is time for another winter league update of KC Royals players.

Let’s start in the Dominican Winter League.

Infielder Tony Abreu played five games last week, three at second base. He went 3-for-18 (.167) for Aguilas Cibaenas. He walked twice, struck out three times, and scored two runs. He also made two errors at second base.

Antonio Cruz pitched in one game last week for Tigres del Licey. He did not record an out, but allowed a run on one hit.

Moving on to the Venezuelan Winter League, where there are five Royals playing.

Three of those players are playing for Bravos de Margarita. Manny Pina caught two games, but went just 0-for-3. He struck out once. Max Ramirez played in five games (one at first base) and went 8-for-22 (.364). He doubled, scored a run, and drove in a run. He struck out three times.

Lefty Blaine Hardy pitched in two games, although he pitched just 2/3 of an inning. He allowed a hit and a walk, while striking out once.

Mario Lisson played in five games (all in the outfield) with Navegantes del Magallanes. He went 5-for-21 (.238) with a double and a homerun. He scored two runs and drove in five. He did strike out seven times and committed an error.

Juan Gutierrez pitched in three games for Leones del Caracas. Over 2.2 innings, he allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three. He converted two of his three save opportunities.

» Continue reading “Royals Winter League Update”

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.

It was announced on Thursday that five minor leaguers were re-signed by the KC Royals.

Blue Rocks first baseman Matt Fields during the 2012 season.

First baseman Matt Fields was signed early in the summer and assigned to High-A Wilmington (where he spent the entire 2012 season). He provided the Blue Rocks with some much-needed pop (17 homeruns and 41 RBIs). Fields also played a great first base. However, he struggled down the stretch and into the playoffs (in which the Blue Rocks lost in the divisional series). For all the struggles, he is a great guy and a great interview. With a promotion, his power should shine more (getting out of the pitcher’s ballpark and league).

Catcher/DH Max Ramirez hit .300 for Triple-A Omaha in 2012 (his first season affiliated with the Royals). There, he hit 17 homeruns and drove in 77 in 110 games. He is currently playing winter ball in Venezuela (3-for-7 with four runs scored in two games). It will be interesting to see if Ramirez gets a shot at being the backup to Salvador Perez in the big leagues in 2013.

Right-hander Juan Gutierrez signed with the Royals this past offseason after missing 2011 due to a shoulder injury. He only pitched in 19 games across three levels and struggled to a combined 10.45 ERA, though it was good just to get back out on the field. He is currently pitching in winter ball in Venezuela. Gutierrez should add depth to the already solid Royals bullpen in 2013.

Right-handed pitcher Devon Lowery hasn’t pitched in two seasons, but the Royals re-signed him to a minor league deal. He served this past season as a coach with Low-A Kane County.

Blue Rocks outfielder Nick Van Stratten during the 2012 season.

Outfielder Nick Van Stratten started the season in Double-A NW Arkansas, but was demoted to Wilmington in August. In 21 games with the Blue Rocks, he was a spark plug. He hit .366 with 13 RBIs (.400 in his final ten games prior to the postseason). Van Stratten has spent the last two seasons splitting between the Naturals and the Blue Rocks.

It seems like the KC Royals are more intent on signing players to fill their Triple-A Omaha roster than players that can legitimately help the big league club. On Tuesday, they announced four more minor league signings. There are no indications yet that any of the four will receive big league spring training invites (though I would think two of them will).

The four the Royals signed are: outfielder Greg Golson, catcher Max Ramirez, right-handed reliever Juan Gutierrez, and left-handed pitcher Francisley Bueno. I had heard about the Bueno signing last week, as I believe I included him in my winter ball update.

Golson is the most intriguing. He has spent the past two seasons shuttling back and forth between Triple-A Scranton and the New York Yankees. Remember when he threw Carl Crawford out at third base to end a late season game back in 2010? He has an arm that can rival Jeff Francoeur’s and can steal bases with some of the fastest guys. He is similar to fellow outfielder Jarrod Dyson, but I think Golson has a bit more power.

That is why his signing is intriguing. I’m not sure he can play centerfield anymore (he’s more of a corner outfielder), but he could beat out Dyson or Mitch Maier for a bench spot if he is invited to spring training. If not, he will provide the Royals depth in Omaha.

He was once the Philadelphia Phillies top prospect, but he never hit enough to garner a big league job. After being traded to Texas, he ended up with the Yankees the last two seasons. Last season with Scranton, he hit .263 with eight homeruns, 33 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases.

I have a Golson picture somewhere from last year with Triple-A Scranton, but it’s saved on another computer and I just didn’t have time to find it. I’ll be sure to post it next year during spring training when he gives the other outfielders a run for their money.

Ramirez was once the top catching prospect in the Texas Rangers farm system. However he never really made it and now the Royals have him to provide depth in both spring training and in Omaha. This will be his fifth organization in the last two years (he was with the Rangers in 2010 and was with three Triple-A affiliates in 2011: the Chicago Cubs, the Houston Astros, and the SF Giants).

Last season (between the three affiliates), he hit .278 with 13 homeruns and 48 RBIs in just 83 games. Catching is not the Royals strong point now that Salvador Perez has graduated to the big leagues, so this signing makes sense.

Gutierrez most likely won’t pitch in 2012, as he will be recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had in September. This signing may be a good faith signing so he can help the Royals in 2013. He was the Arizona Diamondbacks closer before they signed JJ Putz last season and he converted 24-of-28 save opportunities.

The Cuban native Bueno pitched for Monterrey in the Mexican League last year and was 7-5 with a 4.15 ERA in 15 starts. Right now, he is pitching for Licey in the Dominican Winter League and is 3-2 with a 2.15 ERA in 10 games including six starts. He did pitch in one big league game back in 2008 for the Atlanta Braves (maybe Brayan Pena knows him?). If he can relieve (and get lefties out), he could be the lefty specialist the Royals are looking for. Plus he’ a cheap sign.