Cuba Holds its Slim Number One IBAF Ranking for the 2012 Season

by Peter C. Bjarkman

December 6, 2012

With schedules and dates now finalized for the March World Baseball Classic, and on the heels of a final series of WBC qualifying tournaments (held in Panama and Taiwan), the IBAF (International Baseball Federation) has now announced its final world rankings for the 2012 international baseball season. Despite a rather sparse 2012 tournament schedule, powerhouse Cuba has once again managed to protect its prestigious top ranking over an equally idle team USA. Among other pacesetters, Japan nudged ahead of Korea on the strength of this year’s IBAF Asian Championship victory. Chinese Taipei showed the greatest gains among Top Ten countries, leaping over both Canada and 2011 World Cup winner Holland; the Taiwanese surge came on the strength of strong showings in both the 15U and 18U age-group world championship events and also as a result of a single win during its November “Thunder Series” with the Cubans. It was also two victories over the visiting Cubans in November that allowed the Japanese to slide past rival Korea. Brazil’s surprising November World Cup qualifier victory over Panama was enough to boost the constantly improving South American club all the way from last winter’s number 33 slot to its first-ever coveted Top Twenty ranking.

Cuba’s shrinking first-place cushion over runner-ups USA, Japan and Korea has been diminishing with each annual IBAF poll over the past few years and that tentative margin is now in extreme danger of liquidation with the next MLB Classic looming on the near horizon. If either the Americans or the two Asian powerhouse squads – all rich with big-league professional talent – advance farther than the Cubans during this spring’s WBC event, the islanders’ iron-clad hold on the top spot will finally come to an end. Despite a string of disappointing runner-up finishes in recent years (the Beijing Olympics plus the 2007, 2009 and 2011 IBAF World Cups) the Cubans have been able to boast a world championship perch at the summit ever since IBAF rankings were first published five years back. But the string may very well be rapidly approaching its inevitable end. For this reason alone the third edition of the World Baseball Classic now takes on rather gigantic proportions for Cuba’s half-century-strong international baseball prestige.

The March WBC action in fact seems almost certain to result in the biggest shuffle to date among the upper echelons of the IBAF poll. Eight countries now claim 450 or more points in the standings (with Chinese Taipei, Canada, the Netherlands, and Venezuela also joining the powerhouse group) and a WBC gold medal for any on those clubs could make them an overnight international leader. MLB-rich clubs from Puerto Rico (#12 with 204.23 points) and the Dominican Republic (#13 with 204.20) are too far off the pace to seriously challenge the IBAF leaders in March, but a trip to the WBC semifinals in San Francisco could also mean a huge bump in the standings for two Caribbean countries that boast proud big league traditions yet have rarely fared well in past IBAF international tournament standings.

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

MLB International hosting Elite Camp in South Africa

Press Release Major League Baseball

For the second year, Major League Baseball International (MLBI) will hold an African Elite Camp in Cape Town, South Africa from December 5-14th for 36 of Africa’s top young baseball players. Fifteen coaches from the participating nations – Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda – are also on hand to learn from the experienced MLB staff. Majestic continues their sponsorship of MLBI game development programs with a financial contribution to the African Elite Camp.

For the first time, a South African Coaches Conference will be held in conjunction with the Elite Camp. MLB staff will run clinics for 35 aspiring baseball coaches from South Africa to improve their knowledge of the game. In addition, a baseball clinic will be held in the township of Phillipi for 60 promising young baseball players from a disadvantaged area.

The camp is taking place at the Athlone A’s Baseball Club, home to one of the South African Baseball Union’s Intensive Training Centres, which serves over 400 players. The indoor facility at the complex, which features batting cages, pitching mounds and a workout facility, was made possible through a $200,000 Baseball Tomorrow Fund grant awarded in 2010. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association designed to promote and enhance the growth of baseball throughout the world by funding programs, field improvements and equipment purchases to encourage and maintain youth participation in baseball and softball

Rick Magnante, manager of the Vermont Lake Monsters in the Oakland A’s system, is the lead instructor at the African Elite Camp. He has managed in the minor leagues for ten years, and also was the manager of the South African National Team in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classics. Additional instructors include former Major Leaguers Homer Bush, Craig Lefferts and Gerald Perry; Mike Randall, who was part of Magnante’s coaching staff during the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic tournaments; Jeff Krushell and Bill Holmberg.

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Curtis Granderson of New York Yankees talks to College Students in Tokyo

Granderson to Take Part in Re-Opening of Ishinomaki Municipal Baseball Stadium

Curtis Granderson was a keynote speaker to about 300 audiences, mainly college students, on December 6 evening at Waseda University in Tokyo on “Corporate Social Responsibility within Professional Sports” from a MLB player’s perspective, followed by Jim Small, CEO of MLB Japan and MLB Asia VP, from MLB’s view point and Rick George, COO of Texas Rangers from MLB Club’s standpoint.

Afterwards, they participated in a panel discussion joined by Professor Munehiko Harada of Waseda University and President of Japanese Association for Sport Management. The participants from the U.S. explained various activities in concrete descriptions how they strive to perform desired behavior in local community in addition to offering baseball as an attractive entertainment sport.

Rick George gave advice to the Japanese students of sports management (1) Develop skill required in sports-related industries, (2) develop net work of key leaders and mentors and (3) be willing to take risks.

MLB, MLB Players Association, the U.S. Japan Council and the Japan Cultural and Community Center of Northern California made a one-million dollar donation to refurbish the facility as part of TOMODACHI, a public/private partnership led by the US and Japanese governments to rebuild Tohoku region of Japan.

Arcia slams three-run shot to lead Aragua rout

Twins prospect knocks eighth homer in Venezuela in 14-run, 14-hit effort for Tigres

12/07/12 2:25 AM ET

Venezuelan Winter League

Aragua 14, Margarita 6

Seventh-ranked Twins prospect Oswaldo Arcia belted a three-run homer in the seventh inning, his eighth in Venezuela, to add to a 14-hit, 14-run onslaught to put the Tigres on top. First baseman Hector Gimenez delivered a homer, two doubles, five RBIs and four runs scored. Dave Sappelt (Cubs) amassed two hits, two runs and an RBI for the Bravos.

La Guaira 6, Zulia 3

Dodgers infielder C.J. Retherford went 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI and Giants outfielder Gregor Blanco had two hits and two runs out of the leadoff spot for the Tiburones. Freddy Galvis (Phillies) also produced out of the leadoff spot for the Aguilas, going 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a run, a walk and a stolen base.

Lara 3, Caracas 2

Catcher Guillermo Quiroz, recently signed to a Minor League deal by San Francisco, knocked a walk-off single in the ninth that plated Texas farmhand Guilder Rodriguez for the victory. Lara tied it in the eighth when Marlins prospect Jesus Solorzano scored on a groundout by Luis Jimenez (Mariners). Josh Kroeger (Braves) led the Leones with a pair of hits.

Caribes 4, Magallanes 3

Jose Gil (Orioles) paced Anzoategui, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run. Jose Castillo and Gustavo Molina also had three-hit games. Carlos Maldonado (Nationals) and former Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo homered for the Navegantes.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Caguas 2, Carolina 1 (Game 1)

Ramon Castro hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh after leadoff man Jorge Padilla drove in a run in the sixth for the Criollos. Gaby Hernandez (D-backs) allowed a run on three hits and a walk while fanning five over 5 1/3 innings without factoring into the decision for the Gigantes.

Carolina 4, Caguas 3 (Game 2)

Enrique Hernandez (Astros) knocked a single that scored Osvaldo Martinez (Dodgers) to knot the game in the ninth before Carlos Corporan (Astros) doubled in Jesus Feliciano to win it and give the Gigantes a doubleheader split. Red Sox prospect Anthony Ranaudo came on in relief and scattered three hits over 2 2/3 scoreless frames for the Criollos.

Manati 8, Santurce 7

Radames Nazario drove in Edwin Maysonet (Cubs) to tie the game in the eighth and Keiji Nakahara homered in the ninth to push the Atenienses past the Cangrejeros. Yazy Arbelo (D-backs) ripped a grand slam for Manati in the fourth. Maysonet finished 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI for Manati. Fehlandt Lentini tripled and plated two for Santurce.

Ponce 9, Mayaguez 5

Zach Walters (Phillies) went 3-for-4 with a double and four RBIs while Jared Hoying (Rangers) finished 2-for-5 with a double, three runs and an RBI to lead the Leones. Royals prospect Christian Colon led off for Ponce, going 3-for-4 with three runs and an RBI. Angel Sanchez (White Sox) plated three runs for the Indios.

Mexican Pacific League

Guasave 9, Obregon 5

Chris Colabello (Twins) hit a grand slam in the first, his 13th in Mexico, and Zelous Wheeler (Orioles) went 3-for-5 with a double and a steal in the victory for the Algodoneros. Said Gutierrez collected three RBIs for the Yaquis.

Mazatlan 7, Navojoa 0

Jay Jackson (Cubs) allowed five hits and two walks with three strikeouts over seven innings in the shutout, lowering his ERA to 2.53 in 32 innings for the Venados. Humberto Sosa hit a two-run shot in the win and Jose Chavez led the Mayos, going 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.

Los Mochis 7, Culiacan 5

Jermaine Curtis (Cardinals) singled in former Rangers outfielder Jason Botts to cap a three-run eighth that gave the Caneros the lead for good. Curtis finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Ramiro Pena (Yankees) went 2-for-3 with a homer and two runs while leading off for the Tomateros.

Mexicali 5, Hermosillo 4 (10 innings)

Second baseman Issmael Salsa drove in the winning run to end the 10-inning affair. Major League vet Yuniesky Betancourt smacked a three-run homer for the Aguilas. Erick Rodriguez carried the Naranjeros' offense, going 3-for-4 with a two-run shot.

Dominican Winter League

Aguilas 4, Gigantes 2

Manny Ramirez went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run and Cardinals prospect Oscar Taveras added an RBI-double as the Aguilas edged the Gigantes. Joaquin Arias (Giants) provided an RBI-single as part of a two-run ninth that broke a 2-2 tie for Cibaenas, as well. Marlins prospect Marcell Ozuna went 3-for-4 with a double and a run in the loss for Cibao.

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Venezuelan Winter League

•Ezequiel Carrera (LF): 0-for-2, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 SO. Carrera struggled a bit last night, but he is still batting .303. He has had a decent winter, though what will matter more is how he competes in Spring Training.

•Paolo Espino (SP): ND, 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR. This is a typical outing from Espino, limiting walks, getting some strikeouts, and getting burned by one mistake. He does not have great raw stuff, but he is as consistent as they come.

•Luis Hernandez (SS): 2-for-5, 2 R, 1 SO. We should not expect anything out of Hernandez, as he is a minor league depth signing and all, yet it is hard not to get excited about his .406 average in 17 games. It means nothing, but it is a very cool thing to see nonetheless.
•Hector Rondon (RP): BS (1), 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO. Rondon was so upset about being selected in the Rule 5 draft that he blew the save for Leones del Caracas. I was excited to see if Rondon could stick in Columbus/Cleveland in 2013, so I am pretty sad to see him go, though I wish him the best in Chicago.


Puerto Rican Winter League

•Rob Bryson (RP): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO. After issuing five walks in his first two outings, Bryson has a 11:1 SO:BB in his past 8.1 innings. It's a small sample size, but this is what Bryson is capable of when he puts it all together.

•Giovanni Soto (RP): 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 SO. Soto also struggled in his first two outings, walking four, but has rebounded since. In his 8.1 most recent innings, Soto owns a 10:2 SO:BB and has similarly shown what he is capable of when everything is clicking.

•Matt Langwell (RP): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 SO. Langwell may have walked a few batters, but he managed to escape the inning without allowing a run thanks to a bases-loaded double play ball. That counts for something.

•Roberto Perez (C): 0-for-1, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 SO. This sort of outing sums up Perez's skillset pretty well, as he is a patient hitter without much in his bat. He needs to develop some more pop if he wants a legitimate shot at the major leagues.

By Jim Piascik
December 7, 2012

Jeanmar Gomez started for Caracas this evening and recorded 3 complete innings, three hits, one run (unearned), one strikeout, and has thrown 40 pitches. I think his limit is 45 so he may not come out to start the fourth inning.

Carlos Santana broke his three game hitless streak with a basehit and a walk in two official trips to the plate. Carlos is only hitting (.176) and was dropped from third to the fifth spot in the batting order. Maybe the change of scenery will get Carlos going.

CHUCK LOFGREN

Brisbane battery gets the job done in Perth

Starter Chuck Lofgren and catcher Cody Clark teamed up to take down the Heat 6-4 at Barbagallo Ballpark

BRISBANE, 7 December -

Barbagallo Ballpark can be an intimidating place for visiting teams.

The first-place Perth Heat have a reputation for winning, and why shouldn't they? The two-time defending Australian Baseball League champions have earned their way to the top, and they haven't been kind to the Brisbane Bandits along the way.

But this is a new season. And on Friday night the Bandits got off to just the start that they needed, taking down the Heat 6-4 to start Round Six of the ABL, brought to you by 'Be the Influence: Tackling Binge Drinking'.

Brisbane took the matchup thanks to standout performances by Californian southpaw Chuck Lofgren and the other half of his battery, Arkansas native Cody Clark. Never having faced the Heat before, the two were obviously undeterred by Perth's presence.

"Coming out you always want to face Perth; you hear that they're the team to beat," Lofgren said after his 11-strikeout day. "But today was our game. And tomorrow we're going to come out battling. I just felt great out there."

The 26-year-old went 6 2/3 innings in his best outing of the year to date, allowing three runs (just one earned), scattering seven hits and walking one. Coming off a rough start, Lofgren (1-1) certainly cemented his spot in the rotation for at least the immediate future.

"Originally when he came out for us, we had him coming out of the [bullpen]," Bandits manager Kevin Jordan said. "We just felt that the type of stuff he had, that we could hopefully try to build him up and try to make him a starter. His outings have continuously gotten better so we've been pleased with Chuck."

The left-hander was helped out by his battery mate both behind the dish and at the plate in the first game of the four-game set. Lofgren and Clark got on the same page early to take on the Heat lineup and the catcher gave his hurler some run support to work with.

In that ballgame, Andrew Campbell was 2-3 with a sacrifice in three official at bats. Campbell raises his average to (.333) this winter.

CHRIS MCGUINESS


Winter Ball Notebook: Farewell Rondon

Winter Ball NotebookBy Steve Orbanek

December 7, 2012

With the 2012 Major League Baseball Winter Meetings taking place this week, many of us seemed to forget about the various winter leagues and all of the different Indians that are there honing their craft.

The Winter Meetings actually affected IPI’s coverage of the winter leagues to an extent as a current Indians winter baller was selected in the Rule 5 Draft.

On the positive side of things, the Indians actually acquired a player in the Rule 5 Draft who had had quite the winter ball performance earlier this season.

So, with all that being said, here are some thoughts deep and shallow in regard to winter ball participants from this past week…

— It was very tough to see Hector Rondon selected in Thursday’s Rule 5 Draft. The right-hander was selected in the second round by the Chicago Cubs. It was especially hard to see Rondon go considering the brilliant season that he had been putting together in the Venezuelan Winter League. Overall, Rondon has gone 2-1 with a 4.00 ERA in 20 games and 18 innings. The ERA does not tell the whole story about his performance as it’s still inflated from a rough initial outing. His fastball has once again been clocked in the mid-90s, and it at least appears as if Rondon might finally be able to move past all the injuries that have hampered his career. He obviously is no longer the prospect that he once was, but his performances in the VWL have helped him showcase his ability once again, and that’s probably a key reason as to why the Cubs decided to select him. We often say how winter ball statistics are overrated, but Rondon’s selection in the Rule 5 Draft seems to be evidence that winter ball performances to carry some weight. Plain and simple, I would garner to guess that the Cubs do not select Rondon if not for his impressive winter showings.

— For as impressive as Rondon has been in winter ball, unfortunately Carlos Santana has basically been the opposite. In nine games, Santana has now gone 5-for-32. Unfortunately, I have to be hypocritical here and say that we cannot buy into these numbers too much. It is only nine games, which is an absurdly small sample size for any hitter. Though, Santana’s struggles are a little more frustrating because of what an accomplished hitter he is. This is a guy who has hit double-digit home runs in the Majors and is a career .290 hitter in the minors. He is facing pitching that is nothing compared to what he faces on a daily basis, so it’s surprising that he has only managed five hits in 32 at-bats. It’s fine and completely understandable that he might be in a post-season slump, but I just expected a tad more production.

— Luis Hernandez has been a great story so far this winter. The recent minor league signing has played in 17 games this winter and has only failed to record a hit in three of those games. Overall, the switch-hitter has gone 26-for-64 (.406). Hernandez is a long shot to ever make the Major League roster this upcoming season, but it is very hard to not take notice of this offensive surge that he is on. If there is a silver lining with Hernandez, it is the fact that he only has a total of 267 Major League at-bats over five seasons. That’s really not enough at-bats to determine if he could perhaps bring something to the table. However, Hernandez also has a career line of .254/.300/.337 in the minors, so it’s probably very unlikely that Hernandez is anything more than organizational depth. Still, his winter season has been something special.

— Indians right-hander Jeanmar Gomez made his winter ball debut last Friday in the VWL. Overall, Gomez pitched 2 2/3 innings and allowed three hits and no runs. It was a pleasant surprise to see Gomez make an appearance in the winter league. A number of Indians fans soured on Gomez this past season because of his inconsistent performances, but he still is able to generate plenty of ground balls when he hits his spots, and he could be an option again in the future. At the very least, it’s good to see him getting some work in this winter as that will likely only help him come spring training.

— Catcher Roberto Perez has been quite good so far this winter. In 12 games in the Puerto Rican Winter League, the right-handed hitter has gone 11-for-40 with three RBI. Perez has really not hit in the Majors since his 2009 stint with the AZL Indians, so it’s nice to see him have some early success in the PWL. Perez is an interesting player because he certainly has the defensive skills that are needed of a Major League catcher. However, his offense has often been a liability, so it’s been difficult to really project him as a future Major Leaguer. One thing is for sure: for an offensive-challenged player like Perez, this winter season has to be considered a major positive.

— Left-hander Giovanni Soto has really been outstanding this winter. Overall, in seven games and 10 1/3 innings of work, Soto has a 1.74 ERA. Soto has not allowed an earned run since his second appearance on Nov. 14 where he allowed two. Since he spent a whole season last year in Double-A Akron, it will be interesting to see if the Indians decide to push Soto and have him start the 2013 season in Triple-A Columbus. Soto definitely has time on his side as he does not turn 21 until next May, so the Indians really have no reason to rush him along. However, with that being said, it’d be nice to see him in Columbus just for the simple fact that he is then closer to Cleveland.

— While the Indians unfortunately lost two players in yesterday’s Rule 5 Draft, they also gained one. The player that they acquired was former Rangers first base prospect Chris McGuiness. The reason that McGuiness is being mentioned in this Winter Ball Notebook is because he actually played earlier this season in the Arizona Fall League and took home league MVP honors. Overall, McGuiness went 26-for-92 in 25 games while hitting four home runs and driving in 27 runs. McGuiness also drew 13 walks and struck out only 16 times. We know it’s irrational to buy into minor league numbers too much, but McGuiness certainly boasts a nice résumé, so hopefully he has a chance to stick with the team during the 2013 season.

— It would not be a Winter Ball Notebook without mention of everybody’s favorite 20-year-old second baseman, Jose Ramirez. Ramirez is currently riding a four-game hit streak and overall, the switch-hitter has gone 33-for-97 (.340) this winter. He also still has more walks (15) than strikeouts (13). Ramirez has been so consistent throughout the 2012 season and into winter ball. It will be interesting to see how the national media regards him as a prospect once organizations like Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus release its team prospect rankings.

Toshiya Sugiuchi

Friday, December 07, 2012

Japan's WBC Team features just one Player from 2009

(Dec. 6, 2012)　The Yomiuri Shimbun

Japan has been forced to take a "new" approach in its attempt to win its third consecutive World Baseball Classic title.　Manager Koji Yamamoto on Tuesday announced a 34-man roster featuring just one player from the 2009 team.

Yamamoto's roster also features eight Yomiuri Giants and no major leaguers for the 2013 Classic. Players from Ichiro Suzuki to Yu Darvish took turns backing out of the WBC, leaving Yamamoto to choose from an all-domestic pool of candidates.

If he makes an appearance in a game, Giants lefty Toshiya Sugiuchi would be the only player left over from the 2009 Japan squad that defended its first WBC crown. Sugiuchi was also on the team that won the inaugural tournament in 2006.

Yamamoto said Japan has a wealth of talent."We hope to show the strength of Japanese baseball and battle hard," he told The Yomiuri Shimbun.

Yomiuri catcher Shinnosuke Abe, coming off his Central League MVP season, headlines the roster, which must be at 28 for the March 2 Group A opener against Brazil.

Abe, Hisayoshi Chono, Shuichi Murata and Hayato Sakamoto are among the position players, while Hirokazu Sawamura, Tetsuya Utsumi and Tetsuya Yamaguchi join Sugiuchi on the pitching staff.

The roster includes six Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, including Nobuhiro Matsuda, Yuichi Honda, Seiichi Uchikawa and pitchers Masahiko Morifuku, Kenji Otonari along with Sawamura Award-winning starter Tadashi Settsu.

The pitching staff includes 2011 Sawamura Award-winning right-hander Masahiro Tanaka of the Tohoku Rakuten Eagles as well as Hiroshima Carp ace Kenta Maeda, who won the award in 2010.

Pitches-strikes: Gomez, J 53-34
Groundouts-flyouts: Gomez, J 7-2,
Batters faced: Gomez, J 15

Looks like Gomez logged another inning. Pretty efficient.

Toros Bottom of the 7th

Pitching Change: Nick Hagadone replaces Lorenzo Barcelo.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Chad Huffman replaces Mike McDade.
Chad Huffman called out on strikes.
Cesar Puello grounds out, shortstop Jonathan Villar to first baseman Erick Almonte.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Edinson Rincon replaces Damaso Espino.
Edinson Rincon walks.
Jose Ramirez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jonathan Villar. Edinson Rincon to 2nd.
Esteban German singles on a ground ball to center fielder Juan Carlos Perez. Edinson Rincon scores. Jose Ramirez to 2nd.
Ricardo Nanita flies out to center fielder Juan Carlos Perez

All the pitchers are doing well this winter but Hagadone is struggling.

Jose Ramirez continues to astound. For a 20 year old, Ramirez is one of the youngest players in the league but he's hanging tough with the big boys. With that basehit off of Hagadone, Ramirez has the average back up over the .340 mark.

Aguilas Cibaenas

Roberto Heredia (Fausto Carmona), Carlos Gomez and Edwin Encarnacion are expected to debut before the start of round robin ...

Red-hot Perez drives in six for Tiburones

Royals catcher slugs grand slam in sixth straight multi-hit game

12/08/12 1:44 AM ET

Venezuelan Winter League

La Guaira 7, Caracas 6

Royals catcher Salvador Perez slugged a grand slam off Carlos Zambrano and drove in six runs in his sixth straight multi-hit game as the Tiburones held off the first-place Leones. Giants outfielder Gregor Blanco went 3-for-5 and scored three times out of the leadoff spot for La Guaira, while Mariners outfielder Franklin Gutierrez had three hits, an RBI and a run scored for Caracas.

Aragua 7, Margarita 4

Twins prospect Oswaldo Arcia went 2-for-2 and drove in four runs -- his third consecutive multi-RBI effort -- as the last-place Tigres extended their winning streak to three games. Luis Hernandez (Indians) chipped in two hits and two RBIs for Aragua, while Cubs infielder Alberto Gonzalez went 3-for-4 and scored twice for the Bravos.

Caribes 5, Magallanes 0

Tigers newcomer Jose Alvarez yielded one hit over seven innings for his first win in four decisions as the Caribes blanked the Navegantes. Cubs prospect Erick Castillo homered and Marlins outfielder Gorkys Hernandez added two hits and an RBI for Anzoategui, while Astros infielder Jose Altuve doubled for Magallanes' lone extra-base hit.

Dominican Winter League

Escogido 8, Estrellas 7

Tigers infielder Ramon Santiago homered with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Leones halted a three-game slide. Former Major Leaguer Willy Aybar contributed two hits and three RBIs for Escogido, while Angels farmhand Luis Jimenez homered, doubled twice and scored three runs for the Estrellas, who had a five-game winning streak snapped.

Aguilas 8, Toros 5

Former Marlins farmhand Juan Carlos Perez homered and drove in three runs to lead the first-place Aguilas to their sixth consecutive win. Cardinals top prospect Oscar Taveras went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored for Cibaeñas, which got two hits, an RBI and two runs scored from Dodgers utility man Elian Herrera. Former Major Leaguer Esteban German had three hits and drove in three runs for the Toros.

Licey at Gigantes, postponed

Puerto Rican Winter League

Santurce 11, Ponce 4

Major League veteran J.D. Durbin allowed two hits over six shutout innings as the Cangrejeros cruised past the last-place Leones. Former big leaguer Luis Figueroa collected three hits and three RBIs and Cardinals prospect Jonathan Rodriguez homered and also drove in three runs for Santurce. Reggie Abercrombie smacked a three-run homer in a losing effort.

Caguas 4, Mayaguez 3

Blue Jays prospect Fernando Hernandez scattered six hits over five scoreless innings, helping the first-place Criollos hand the Indios their fourth straight loss. Ramon Castro drove in two runs and fellow former Major Leaguers Andy Gonzalez and Jorge Padilla each added two hits and an RBI for Caguas. Twins prospect Eddie Rosario doubled, singled and walked for Mayaguez.

Carolina 3, Manati 1

Former Major Leaguer Willie Collazo allowed a run on seven hits over five innings as the Gigantes shut down the Atenienses. Jesus Feliciano went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored out of the leadoff spot for Carolina, while Helder Velazquez had two hits and scored Manati's only run.

Mexican Pacific League

Guasave 4, Los Mochis 3

Japhet Amador hit his second homer of the game, a two-run shot in the eighth inning, as the Algodoñeros rallied for their sixth consecutive win. Twins prospect Chris Colabello went 4-for-4 with an RBI to raise his average to .339 for Guasave, while Jason Botts doubled twice and drove in two runs for Los Mochis.

Navojoa 5, Obregon 4, 10 innings

Rolando Acosta hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning as the Mayos avoided a third straight loss. Kraig Binick went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks, an RBI and a run scored for Navojoa, while Barbaro Canizares launched a two-run homer and scored twice for Obregon, which has lost four in a row.

Mexicali 13, Culiacan 6

Former Indians prospect Roman Peña homered and drove in four runs to power the Aguilas past the first-place Tomateros. Major League veteran Chris Roberson chipped in four hits, an RBI and two runs scored for Mexicali, while Yuniesky Betancourt had three hits and a pair of RBIs. Ricardo Serrano and Emmanuel Valdez slugged two-run homers for Culiacan.

Hermosillo 5, Mazatlan 4, 10 innings

Carlos Gastelum led off the bottom of the 10th inning with his third homer of the season, giving the Naranjeros their eighth win in 11 games. Karim Garcia had two hits and an RBI for Hermosillo, while Jesus Espinoza singled twice and drove in two runs for the Venados.

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Venezuelan Winter League

•Jeanmar Gomez (SP, Tiburones de La Guaira): 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R/0 ER, 2 K. This was Gomez’s second appearance so far in the VWL, and it was a good one. Of the 53 pitches that Gomez threw, 34 of them were strikes. Gomez went four innings on Friday, which is up from last week, so it will be interesting to see if he continues to be stretched out. Overall, the right-hander has yet to allow an earned run in the two appearances.

•Ezequiel Carrera (LF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 0-for-3. Carrera may be entering a mini slump as the left-handed hitter has now gone hitless in his last two games. Overall, he has still had a strong winter as he’s hit .290 in 18 games.

Dominican Winter League

•Jose Ramirez (2B, Toros del Este): 1-for-4, 1 RBI, 2 K. This was not one of Ramirez’s better winter performances as he’s not a hitter that is prone to strikeout, yet he recorded two here. Nonetheless, the switch-hitter did record a hit to keep his hit streak alive at five games.

•Mike McDade (1B, Toros del Este): 1-for-2. McDade recorded one hit on Friday before being replaced by a pinch hitter after two at-bats. The switch-hitter hit 17 home runs this past season in the minors, but he has yet to hit one this winter, so hopefully that will change soon.

•Nick Hagadone (RP, Aguilas Cibaenas): 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 1 K. Hagadone has unfortunately had a rough start to his winter season. Hopefully this is not a precursor of things to come because his ERA now sits at 13.50 after five games.

•Carlos Santana (DH, Leones del Escogido): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB. You have to love progress. While Santana did not put together a monster line, he did manage to get on base twice by way of a walk and a single. This is still a massive improvement from some recent games that Santana has had.

Puerto Rican Winter League

•Rob Bryson (RP, Criollos de Caguas): (H, 3), 2/3 IP, 1 K. Bryson remains perfect so far this winter, and he has now pitched 11 scoreless innings in 10 games.

•Matt Langwell (RP, Gigantes de Carolina): (H, 2), 1 IP, 1 BB. Langwell has almost been as impressive as Bryson in the PWL. Overall, Langwell has a 0.93 ERA in 9 2/3 innings of work this winter.

Australian Baseball League
•Andrew Campbell (LF, Brisbane Bandits): 2-for-3. Campbell has never really been too much of a prospect, but it’s hard not to love what he’s done this year in the ABL. He’s currently riding a five-game hit streak, and he has gone 12-for-36 overall this winter.

By Steve Orbanek
December 8, 2012

Team Leaders
More impressive, Campbell's .341 average is 5th in the league, Andrew was my breakout position player last season.

Gregori Reinoso signs with the Reds

Posted December 8th, 2012 by DPL & filed under DPL News, Featured Post, Transactions.

Gregori Reinoso-LHP becomes the latest hurler to sign a professional contract after a solid showing at the DPL-POWER SHOWCASE event.

Reinoso stand 6’2″ 160lb with a wiry body and project-able frame. The 17 year old was born in Santiago DR on Nov 17 1995, he played in the DPL Santiago circuit through the 2012 season . The left handed hurler throws from H3/4 slot with some effort in his delivery. His FB velocity sits at 86-89 (90) with down hill life. He has an overhand CB with good rotation, on occasion he will tend to cast it but he’s consistent enough to get effectiveness.

His trainer Juan “Kiko” Pena is the field coordinator in the DPL Santiago circuit and was key in recruiting Reinoso to participate in the year end showcase. The Cincinnati Reds reached an agreement with Reinoso days after the DPL-POWER SHOWCASE and will start his professional career in the rookie level Dominican Summer League in 2013. Contract is pending physical and MLB approval.

Congratulations to the Cincinnati Reds, Juan “Kiko” Pena and the Reinoso family