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.

With a 7-5 lead in the 9th inning, Roman Colon allowed a game-tying two-run homerun to Justin Ruggiano. His Omaha teammates came back with a three-run bottom of the 9th inning to give him the 10-7 victory.

Cody Clark hit a walk-off three-run homerun with two outs. Omaha had just nine hits with Johnny Giavotella, Clint Robinson, and David Lough collecting two each. Gio scored three runs. Robinson scored three runs, drove in two, and walked three times. Lough had two RBIs.

Down 3-1 heading into the bottom of the 6th inning, NW Arkansas put up a three-spot en route to their 4-3 victory over Tulsa. Those three runs came on a Mario Lisson homerun.

That blast made a winner of Noel Arguelles, who allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. Elisaul Pimentel followed up with two one-hit innings of relief.

On offense, Wil Myers went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. He hit his ninth homerun of the season. Christian Colon also went 2-for-4.

Wilmington lost yet another pitcher’s duel, this time in Potomac, 3-1. Yordano Ventura took the loss, as he allowed two runs on six hits over six innings. He struck out six.

The Blue Rocks could do nothing against the Nationals bullpen. Over the final 2.2 innings, Nationals’ pitchers racked up six strikeouts.

The Blue Rocks’ lone run came via Cheslor Cuthbert‘s first homerun of the season (he went 2-for-4). Whit Merrifield and Roman Hernandez both went 2-for-4.

Just 297 fans showed up to watch Beloit beat Kane County, 5-3. All of the Cougars’ runs came over the final two innings.

Aaron Brooks took the loss, as he allowed two runs (two solo homeruns) on five hits over six innings. He struck out nine.

Omaha continues their winning ways, this time on the road in Memphis. The Storm Chasers beat the Redbirds, 3-2. David Lough hit an inside-the-park homerun in the 9th inning to break the 2-2 tie (his second HR of the game).

Sean O’Sullivan earned the victory with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief behind starter Will Smith (6.2 IP, 9H, 2R, 0BB, 2K).

Johnny Giavotella went 2-for-4 in the win. The Cardinals Allen Craig began his rehab assignment with Memphis and went 2-for-5.

NW Arkansas scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back in their 6-3 win over Springfield. Justin Marks earned his first Double-A victory, as he allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over six innings.

Wil Myers hit his 6th homerun of the season, as he went 3-for-4. Rey Navarro went 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Kurt Mertins went 2-for-2 with two walks, Ryan Jenkins went 2-for-4, and Mario Lisson went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks scored the game’s first run, but Salem scored the next four runs to win 4-1. Whit Merrifield led off the game with a double (he went 2-for-4) and scored on Brian Fletcher’s double (he went 3-for-4).

Sugar Ray Marimon relieved Leondy Perez and pitched three shutout innings. He allowed just one hit while striking out five.

The Kane County Cougars collected just three hits in their 6-0 loss. Daniel Mateo had two of them. The Cougars complete their road series in Lansing Friday night.

Scott Alexander took the loss, as he allowed two runs on six hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out three.

The Venezuelan Winter League round robin playoffs have ended with Aragua and La Guaira meeting in the championship. The best-of-seven championship series began last night.

However this winter league update will focus on the KC Royals players and their games prior to the championship series and since my last update.

Starting with January 12th, Mario Lisson played third base and went 0-for-3 with a walk in Magallanes’ 6-0 loss to Aragua.

The next day, he went 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI as Magallanes beat Zulia, 11-2. Shortstop Alcides Escobar went 0-for-2 with a walk, while also committing an error in the loss.

On January 14th, Zulia again lost to Magallanes, this time 11-10. This was after Zulia scored nine runs in the top of the 9th inning to take a 10-6 lead. Escobar went 3-for-5 with two runs scored in the loss. Lisson went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs while playing both third and first base.

The next day, Zulia lost again, this time at the hands of La Guaira, 16-5. Escobar went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. He also committed an error. That was Escobar’s last game with Zulia, who did end up winning a game before the winter league round robin playoffs ended.

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

The Venezuelan Winter League playoffs are in full swing, as first round, round-robin action is still underway. Here are what the standings currently look like:

Caribes 7-1, La Guaira 5-3, Aragua 5-3, Magallanes 3-5, and Zulia 0-8.

The KC Royals have a few players still participating in the VWL playoffs.

On January 6th, Mario Lisson went 0-for-3 with a walk in Magallanes’ 1-0 loss to La Guaira. Former Royal (and Atlanta Brave) Gregor Blanco drove in the lone run with a single in the third inning.

Shortstop Alcides Escobar went 2-for-3 with a run scored while leading off for Zulia. They lost 5-3 to Aragua. Newly signed lefty reliever, Jose Mijares, pitched for Aragua. He allowed one hit over one inning while striking out two. Mijares picked up the save.

The next day, Lisson went 0-for-1 with two walks, but was taken out in the 8th inning. Magalles lost to Caribes 15-3.

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

The Venezuelan Winter League playoffs began on January 2nd and I’ll delve into those games in a bit. But first, how did the KC Royals players in the league fair in December?

Well, La Guaira finished the season in first place ahead of the four team pile up behind them with a 37-26 record. They were four games up on both Caribes and Magallanes and 4.5 games up on Zulia and Aragua.

Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar had a very good winter ball season for Lara. Since December 6th, he was 20-for-66 (.303) with five doubles, one homerun, and five RBIs. He also walked four times, scored 17 runs, and stole a base. Overall, he hit .313 in 27 games.

Since Lara did not make the playoffs, Escobar has switched teams and is now playing for Zulia (who is 0-2 so far in the round robin format). In Zulia’s 11-5 loss to La Guaira on January 3rd, he went 1-for-5 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored. In their loss to Caribes on January 4th, he went 0-for-4 and was taken out on defense in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Mario Lisson has been playing both first and third base for Magallanes. In December, he was 14-for-48 (.292) with two doubles, four homeruns, and nine RBIs. He also walked five times, scored nine runs, and stole a base.

Magallanes is 1-2 in the playoffs so far, and Lisson has played in all three games. In their loss to Caribes on January 2nd, he went 1-for-4 while playing third base. In a loss the next day (also to Caribes), he went 0-for-3 with a walk while playing first base. In their lone win so far against Aragua, Lisson went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base while playing first base.

Newly signed Max Ramirez can both catch and play first base. Since joining the Royals, he was 1-for-9 with a walk for Margarita. Overall in the VWL, he was 34-of-156 (.218) with seven doubles, three homeruns, and 13 RBIs. He also walked 17 times and scored 13 runs, but struck out 41 times.

Lefty reliever Jose Mijares was pitching for Aragua. In his one appearance since signing with the Royals, he pitched a perfect inning of relief while striking out two. Overall in the VWL, he was 4-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 11 games (ten innings). He allowed 11 hits and three runs while striking out 12 (he did not walk a batter). Opponents hit .282 against him though. He has yet to make an appearance in the playoffs.

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”