Minor Issues: Living The Winter Ball Experience - Baseball Prospectus



By Tim Kester

Tim Kester played minor-league baseball for 13 seasons, between 1993-2007, in the Houston, Boston, and Baltimore organizations. A right-handed pitcher who made 423 professional appearances, Kester also spent several seasons playing winter ball in Latin America, which he talks about in this essay.

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The casual baseball fan is probably curious about winter ball, what it is, and why American players would leave the comforts of an offseason at home to go play. Here's a rundown of the basics of playing winter ball from a player's perspective along with a few stories.

Winter ball is played in Venezuela, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. With the exception of Mexico, it is the only time of year professional baseball is played in those countries, so the fans and native players treat it like it is their major leagues. At the end of the season, the champions of each league play each other in the Caribbean Series. This is a huge deal to both the people in these countries and the players because all four of these nations believe it is the dominant force in Latin American baseball. Many established major-league players who are citizens of these countries will play the last month of winter ball just to be able to represent their nations in the Caribbean Series. It really is a testament to how important winter ball is to these countries that an established major-leaguer would play an entire major-league season and then play winter ball for little pay just to represent their countries.

Winter-ball teams usually have a working agreement with one or more major-league teams. MLB teams will send minor-league players and coaches to help teams, which also makes it easier to scout up-and-coming talent from those countries as well as American players playing in Latin America. The American coaches usually try to look out for their players by making sure they aren't overused or hurt, among other things.

There are a couple types of American players that end up playing winter ball. The first is the young prospect who needs more work because he didn't get a full season in the minors or just needs a little more experience. A guy who was injured or coming off of surgery that needs to get some more playing time is a good example. Teams tend not to send guys that are too young because the environment can be a little intense. There is a lot of pressure to perform, and the teams want to win and win now. It's a great learning experience because in the minors it's all about developing players, and winning is secondary, but winter ball is just like the big leagues in that the bottom line is winning.

Before my first start in Venezuela I was assured by my pitching coach that I would throw between 30-35 pitches because I hadn't pitched in a game in a couple months. In the fifth inning he came to the mound and asked how I felt. I asked him how many pitches I had and he said "only 65." I asked him what happened to the 35? He just shrugged his shoulders and said "we're trying to win." The competitor in me said I was OK and I finished the inning.

That happened because I was the second type of player that goes to play winter ball; the minor-league free agent who is looking to make some money while being seen by scouts from major-league clubs and, hopefully, impressing someone enough to get a contract for the next summer. That type of player usually gets treated a little differently because they don't really have a major-league organization looking out for their best interests like the young prospects. You're just a hired gun who's there to put up or get out. Once you understand that and realize that you are the only one looking out for your best interest, even if sometimes you may have to pull yourself out of the game, the better off you are. It took me all of one start to learn that.

Besides making some money and sharpening your skills as a baseball player, winter ball can be a great teacher of life lessons and a real eye-opener for most American players in terms of seeing how not just baseball, but life, is different in these Latin American countries. I remember the first night going out to a nightclub in Puerta La Cruz, Venezuela. We walked outside the bar at around 4 a.m. to see five people (three guys and two girls) in a serious fist fight, complete with broken bottles like something out of a movie. A security guard saw this and casually strolled over, pulled out his gun, and fired five shots in the air to try to break up the fight. The fighters didn't even flinch! Not until another guard came out and blasted a shotgun into the air did they scatter. Another American player and I witnessed this in disbelief from behind a wall about 50 yards away. I mean, seriously, you won't see that in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. You won't even see that in Detroit! Well, maybe Detroit.

Most people know that baseball players like to play practical jokes on each other, especially on long road trips where there is a lot of downtime. One day on a long bus trip, a Venezuelan player fell asleep with his mouth open, usually a bad idea with a group of baseball players. In Venezuela, where most players carry guns for personal protection, it is the worst idea ever. One of the Venezuelan players thought it would be funny to take the bullets out of his revolver and put it into the sleeping guy's mouth with the hammer cocked back. As the entire team gathered around, they woke him up. To say the least, the guy was a little surprised. I've never seen anyone go from a dead sleep to eyes opened as wide as his. Imagine if one second you're dreaming of painting the corner with a knee-high fastball and the next you're looking down the barrel of a gun with the hammer cocked back. To top it off, a second after he opened his eyes the guy holding the gun pulled the trigger and the hammer on the empty gun went 'click.' The entire bus of Venezuelan ballplayers erupted into laughter. I have to admit, in a sick demented kind of way, it was a little bit funny. The next day our team's general manager had a meeting and told the Venezuelans to stop playing around with their guns because the Americans were freaking out and might go home. Needless to say, none of us fell asleep on the bus for the rest of the season.

Just like any major U.S. city, as long as you use common sense, it's not as dangerous as you might think. The most dangerous situation I was during my time in Venezuela actually happened on the field. We were playing a day game against the Leones in Caracas and Jose Castillo, who was with the Pirates at the time, hit a walk-off home run the night before to beat us. He must have done 10 minutes of curtain calls and hamming it up afterward. He happened to be the leadoff batter that day and I accidently drilled him in the elbow with the first pitch of the game. He went down like he was shot and rolled around on the ground while the 20,000 angry Venezuelans chanted in unison "SUSIO… SUSIO… SUSIO"…, which means 'dirty' in Spanish. I guess they were talking about me. I don't know why, because it was clearly an accident. No, really, it was. I think they may have also been saying some uncomplimentary things about my mother. I'm just glad my Spanish is no bueno. Beer bottles and other debris started to rain down onto the field and we had to retreat to the dugout until the mayhem stopped and the grounds crew got the field cleaned up. I wondered if I would leave the stadium alive if I accidentally hit another guy.


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UD, IF YOU ARE STILL AROUND, FOR YOUR EYES ONLY




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Gthanyou I knew a reason was there to look at the folder.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC FINALS



Giants triumph and lead 3-1 in the final series against Estrellas; Gutierrez homered, doubled, & had 4 rbi

Jan 21, 2022

SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORIS, RD.- The Cibao Giants triumphed this Friday 5 -3 over the Eastern Stars with the torrid batting of Kelvin Gutiérrez,

The Giants won their third game in a row to lead the final round 3-1 in the best of 7 series.

With one more victory, the Giants would be proclaimed champions of the Dominican Baseball League (Lidom) and will be the representatives of the Dominican Republic in the 2022 Caribbean Series to be held in Santo Domingo January 28 to February 3.

This Saturday the fifth and final match will be played at the Tetelo Vargas Stadium, in San Pedro de Macorís.

Kelvin Gutiérrez made the difference for the Giants with a torrid offense in which he homered and doubled to drive in four runs and score one, and the other run came off the bat of Henry Urrutia with an RBI single. The Giants had three hits in all.

The Stars achieved six hits to produce their three runs, with Gustavo Núñez standing out with a home run and a single, one RBI and two runs scored; and with rbi singles by Domingo Leyva and Jeremy Peña.

The game was won by Giants left-handed starter Enny Romero (1-0) in a 5.0 inning outing, two hits, one earned run, two walks and two strikeouts, and saved by Juan Minaya, his second, in a 1.0 inning, two hits, one earned return and two strikeouts performance.

Ronny García (0-1), who started for Estrellas, lost in 2.1 of work in the box, one hit, two runs -one earned-, four walks and three strikeouts.

MEXICAN FINALS



TOMATEROS TIES THE FINAL SERIES AND THERE WILL BE GAME 7 FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

January 21, 2022

Guadalajara Jalisco; January 21, 2022 (Prensa Tomateros).- This Friday, the Tomateros de Culiacán showed that they want to solidify their third three-time championship in the history of winter baseball and forced a game seven in the 2021-2022 Final Series of the League del Pacífico, by defeating the Charros de Jalisco 5-3.

In a duel of many comebacks, Emmanuel Ávila gave the advantage that would not be lost in the top eighth. Efrén Navarro opened the inning with a grounder that Agustín Murillo dived and stopped, but his throw to first was wild and then, Navarro reached second.

Randy Romero entered the game as a pinch runner for Navarro. Alexis Wilson tried to bunt twice against reliever Jared Wilson, but after missing, singled to put men in the corners.

Thus, Ávila brought the fourth run with a fly ball to right field.

Tomateros scored one more in the top of ninth. Roberto Osuna took the place of Jared Wilson and Jesús Fabela greeted him with a double to right field. Ramiro Peña advanced him to third with a sacrifice bunt and after an intentional walk to Sebastián Elizalde, Joey Meneses drove in his third run of the night with a broken bat line to center.

The Tomateros went up in the first inning. Javier Solano started the game with a strikeout to Jesús Fabela. Then, Ramiro Peña negotiated a walk and Sebastián Elizalde hit a single to right, to put men in the corners. Finally, Joey Meneses hit a hard grounder to second. Esteban Quiroz dived to save the hit and threw to second for the out, but Peña scored.

The Charros took the lead in the bottom of the third. With one out, Amadeo Zazueta doubled to left field. Starter Nick Struck struck out Santiago Chavez, but then walked José Juan Aguilar and Esteban Quiroz back-to-back. Then Japhet Amador singled to right field for a pair of runs.

The Tomateros turned it around in the top fifth. Emmanuel Ávila started the inning by getting hit with a pitched ball. After a sacrifice bunt by José Guadalupe Chávez, Jesús Fabela drove in the first run with a single. Ramiro Peña negotiated a walk and Sebastián Elizalde struck out, but Joey Meneses responded with a ground double that drove in one run.

In the bottom of the inning, the locals scored their third and last of the night. Amadeo Zazueta started with a walk against Struck. Santiago Chavez put him on second with a sacrifice bunt. José Juan Aguilar hit a single that placed men on the corners. There, Benjamín Gil brought in Derrick Loop to face Esteban Quiroz who was hit by the pitch.

Gil removed Loop from the game and then David Gutiérrez entered. Japhet Amador greeted him with a sacrifice fly to right field.

This Saturday the seventh game to define the champion of the 2021-2022 Season will take place

Winter Ball Provides Valuable Experience For Managers

By Justin Coleman

While the Major League Baseball postseason holds the attention of baseball fans in the fall, many players begin preparing themselves in early October to begin playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic.

The winter ball season goes through late January and provides a unique opportunity for players to learn and compete while testing themselves against players of all different skill levels. Managing those players, however, provides different challenges compared to leading a team in the minor leagues.

Just like minor league teams, the Dominican Winter League clubs have an array of coaches on their staff. The manager has to decide his lineup each day with a roster often twice the size of those in the minors. For years, the protocol was to make changes on a day-by-day basis to the active 25-man roster, but it has become a weekly format. Managers have to make sure to consistently communicate with players and rally around them to ensure that their confidence stays up throughout the winter.

“With such large rosters, you have to learn how to manage so many different personalities," Rodney Linares said.

Linares is fresh off his first season as Tampa Bay’s third base coach. Having managed at every level of the minors, he felt coaching winter ball has helped him effectively communicate with players.

“You obviously abide by the guidelines that the player development staffs give you, but this is a very competitive league and guys want to win," Linares said. "You have to balance the analytics with how baseball is in a traditional sense."

That is a daunting task, as DWL teams have just recently begun using analytics to help choose players. Even with teams making use of more information, there are still old adages that often apply.

“I’ve been a bench coach and had managers turn to me and say, ‘Man, should I bunt here? I might get fired if I don’t,'" Linares said.

With a short 50-game season, owners have been quick to move on from managers if their team gets into a rut. This can sometimes cause teams to pay multiple managers at the same time if their contracts aren’t up.

“I’ve seen a team recently have three managers on their payroll, but only one was in the dugout because the other two were fired after being given two-year contracts," Linares said.

This financial miscalculation has caused teams to not be so quick to change managers in recent seasons, understanding that a new face in the dugout may not have much effect on a four-game losing streak.

Winning is the main goal in the Dominican Republic, and the expectations are always high, providing a good opportunity to motivate coaches and players.

“You don’t do well, you go home. That is just how it is—its pressure to perform well. Even the vets and stars, you go with the guys who step up. You play the hot hand," said Bobby Magallanes, who has experience coaching in both the minors and international circuit. “The season is so short, every game is important… it’s a playoff atmosphere there," he said.

Winter ball allows players to test their game while learning from those at different levels. Linares feels playing Winter ball is a good test for players because its fast-paced nature and intense atmosphere provides a valuable experience.

“It is good for their development—you can work on stuff," Linares said. "Plus, you get to see the way that other guys work."

[ justin Coleman Takes the Dominican Republic As An Example. The same is true of all the Countries Ven, Mex, PR, Col, & Pan. ]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... -managers/

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In Cuba, baseball players are forced to grow up fast on the field

Zach Buchananazcentral sports

Over the past several years, a series of Cuban defectors have left the tiny baseball-loving island in search of an opportunity to play Major League Baseball.

Many of them — including Yoenis Cespedes, Jorge Soler, Yasiel Puig, Jose Abreu and Odrisamer Despaigne — needed little to no development time in the minor leagues before helping the big-league club. Puig, Cespedes and Abreu immediately became some of the best players in the game.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have their own Cuban import in outfielder Yasmany Tomas, who spent all of two weeks in the minors and has hit .294 through his first 84 major-league games. Diamondbacks coach and translator Ariel Prieto, a former Cuban star himself, has a theory as to why so many of his countrymen have stepped into the best baseball league in the world and not missed a step.

They, as a direct result of the Cuban style of development, are mentally tougher, he thinks. Promising youngsters are thrown to the wolves in Cuba, playing among the top adult players in their region at age 17. It forces them to grow up quickly.

“Every day that’s the way we grow up in Cuba,” Prieto said. “I believe it’s still the same.”

Prieto, who was born in 1969, was much smaller in adolescence than the 6-foot-3 frame he eventually grew into. He could run, throw and field better than most through different levels of youth baseball, but he couldn’t hit. At age 17, at the beckoning of a coach, he switched to pitching despite little experience at the position.

He took to pitching well enough to make the Isla de la Juventud team in Nueva Gerona in 1986. It was quite a leap up, going from playing in the field against fellow teenagers to playing in the top Cuban league with and against adults. At least nine of his 29 teammates were 28 or older, he said.

And they were merciless, poking and prodding at Prieto like a drill sergeant. For his first two years he pitched poorly, and heard plenty about it.

“You have to be a tough guy, you have to be a man,” Prieto said. “Every time I tried to do something good but did stupid s--t, they talked to me with bad words. ‘Let’s f-----g go! You can do it! Don’t be afraid!’ Stuff like that.

“I would go back home and try to go to sleep and I would feel like, ‘Jeez, tomorrow I have to be better. And better and better.’ ”

The players who pushed him the most were fellow pitchers Justo Lopez and Israel Alonso, both older than Prieto. The tough love had a profound effect on Prieto: not only was he struggling to survive, he was often being told he wasn’t good enough in the first place.

If the goal was to force Prieto to dig deep, it worked.

“All that kind of stuff made me feel so angry, like, ‘F--k! I embarrassed myself,’ ” Prieto said. “I wanted to kill somebody. But I didn’t want to kill nobody. I wanted to kill the game.”

If players quit the game because of the torment, that was fine in the Cuban system. They weren’t long for the world of high-level baseball anyway. But as Prieto got older and became a mentor, he took a more nuanced view. Perhaps there was a happy balance to be struck — throw a player into a sink-or-swim situation by playing them so young, but don’t hold his head underwater by destroying his confidence.

Since then, Prieto’s focused on promoting positivity with his charges, both as a “veteran” in his mid-20’s in the Cuban Serie Nacional and his later coaching career. He’s not above chewing someone out, though, including Tomas.

“I only push a little bit, push the little things,” Prieto said. “I take the good ones. The bad ones, I don’t take them. I don’t want to push guys the way that they pushed me.”

Tomas’ experience in Cuba was a little different, to hear him tell it. He felt unready for a big stage when joining the Havana-based Industriales at 17, but still hit .297 in 35 games. Older players pushed him, but also cautioned him to not try to do too much.

Still, no one was immune from a good razzing. Even when Tomas sees a former teammate in San Diego’s Despaigne, the good-natured barbs fly.

What’s going on with you? Tomas will plead with Despaigne, four years his senior. Your ERA is so high! What the hell are you doing?

What about you? Despaigne will counter. You only have four homers! You have big power! Do something good!

“It’s a joke,” Tomas explained, “but at the same time we try to push each other.”

Of course, tough love is not the only reasons Cubans seem to succeed so quickly in America. The players in the top leagues are the best of the best in part because other promising, if less mentally tough players quit along the way before they ever got a chance to play in the U.S. Also, from a young age players also have their baseball development managed by the Baseball Federation of Cuba, an arm of the state.

But Prieto credits his baseball success, which included 352 innings in the majors, to being placed in a situation where he had to succeed or give up. It’s a stark contrast to the American minor-league system, where prospects are treated gently for fear of ruining their arms or rattling the cages of their psyche.

“You have to be tough to handle that,” Prieto said.

[ No Secret Here. I'm a BIG fan of Cuban Baseball. Over the years, I've seen high perfomance players advance from the Cuban league to the Majors. Many, like Jose Abreu, Jorge Soler, Aroldis Chapman, Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes, Lourdis Guirrel Jr, Luis Robert, Joan Moncada, Dayan Viciedo, and a few others have been on my radar screen before they were even thought about by the major league teams. Many of them, I had hoped, would have been given a look see by the Cleveland organization. Didn't happen. But that's Ok. I had fun watching them grow into major league uniforms. ]

https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/ ... /31246293/

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When ...where ...format Championship Series

What happened to Cuba?

Trump & Fidel Castro

Calendar of the Caribbean Series Santo Domingo 2022

Friday January 28
Puerto Rico vs. Panama
Colombia vs. Venezuela
Dominican Republic vs. Mexico

Saturday January 29
Panama vs. Colombia
Mexico vs. Venezuela
Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic

Sunday January 30
Colombia vs. Mexico
Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico
Panama vs. Dominican Republic

Monday January 31
Venezuela vs. Panama
Mexico vs. Puerto Rico
Dominican Republic vs. Colombia

Tuesday, February 1
Colombia vs. Puerto Rico
Panama vs. Mexico
Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic

Wednesday, February 2
Semifinal A:
3rd place vs. 2nd place
Semifinal B:
1st place vs. 4th place

Thursday February 3
Final: Winner A vs. Winner B

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Cubans in MLB 2021

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Phil Selig

The Cuban National Series has crowned Granma as Champions and the Major League Season is roughly a week old. I figured it was a good time to look at the 17 Cubans in MLB 2021. This number is down significantly from the high of roughly 30 players that played in parts of 2019 & 2020, however this number can grow greatly as the season progresses. With that in mind though, the focus will be on the 17 players that broke camp to start the season. In Alphabetical order lets get Inside the Dugout.

José Abreu First Base Chicago White Sox formerly Cienfuegos Elefantes 2003-2013

Pito Abreu has been one of the top slugging first baseman since his arrival in Chicago in 2014. His 2020 American League MVP bookends nicely with his 2010/2011 Cuban National Series MVP. The consumate professional from Cienfuegos has been a leader with his play but also as a mentor for the cohort of fellow Cubans in the White Sox organization. The White Sox enter 2021 with expectations for the first time in a long time and José Abreu figures to be the veteran glue and middle of the order bat needed to lead their young upstart squad.

Yordan Álvarez DH/OF Houston Astros formerly Las Tunas Leñadores 2013-2015

Álvarez 2020 for the Astros failed to launch. He was shut down with a knee injury after just eight At Bats. The 2019 Rookie of the Year was a sensation swatting 27 balls into orbit in just 313 At Bats. The Astros are still dangerous but the loses of Justin Verlander to injury, Gerrit Cole and George Springer to Free Agency mean players will have to step up. Álvarez represents the batter with the highest upside and Houston might only go as far as Yordan progresses. If his 2019 is a sign of things to come the window for the 2017 World Series might not be closed just yet.

Aroldis Chapman RP New York Yankees formerly Holguín Cachorros 2005-2009

The Cuban Missile might be on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Unfortunately he has surrendered the season ending home runs for the Yankees in each of the past few seasons. Chapman has the advantage of debuting relatively young for a Cuban. During the 2010’s he is likely the best Cuban pitcher of the decade. The Yankees have big expectations for 2021. To say Chapman is the key might be hyperbole. He will have to be more reliable in the biggest game of the year for the Bronx Bombers to break their 12 year Championship drought. When Chapman is on he is un hittable and even though his velocity has declined from 106.7mph he still consistently hits triple digits. The problem is the fast pitch if not properly located can still find a new location in the seats.

Aledmys Díaz IF Houston Astros formerly Villa Clara Naranjas 2007-2012

The Houston Astros have been as aggressive as any MLB organization in the Cuban marketplace of late. Aledmys Díaz is one of four Cubans on the Astros roster. Although there are many bigger names and bats on this list, Díaz represents one of the more useful utility options in the game. He can play every infield position and has even spent time in the outfield. He puts together solid at bats and has some power to boot. You can do a lot worse than relying on Díaz for providing rest to regulars subbing in for an injured player or mixing in favourable matchups.

Yandy Díaz 3B Tampa Bay Rays formerly Villa Clara Naranjas 2008-2011

He and Aledmys Díaz are former teammates with the Oranges (AKA Leopardos & Azucareros) of Villa Clara but aren’t related. Yandy and Randy also form a nice Cuban duo for the Rays in Tampa. Díaz seems to be the prototypical Rays acquisition of late. Acquired under the radar he is hardly a star but versatile enough to play multiple infield positions. Díaz is probably not anyone’s definition of a text book lead off hitter. He has often filled that role nicely for the Rays and is another bargain find for the cost conscious Rays.

Yasmani Grandal C Chicago White Sox no Cuban National Series experience

Grandal is the outlier on this list. Both for not having played in the National Series and being the only Cuban catcher in the Majors. Grandal was born in Havana and he and his family left Cuba when he was 10. Grandal has been one of the top slugging catchers for at least the past half decade. Perhaps the language barrier precludes many Cuban catchers from making it in the Majors. It is interesting though that Cuba has produced many top tier defensive catchers in the 2000s with only Grandal making the jump to The Show.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. LF Toronto Blue Jays formerly Sancti Spiritus Gallos/Industriales 2010-2016

You can’t blame the Blue Jays for exploring Gurriel’s potential as a short stop. Most who had watched him in Cuba felt his likely future was in the outfield. Since moving to Left Field the youngest member of Cuba’s Baseball Royal family has looked excellent on D. He has also appeared much more relaxed at the plate. Rumours abounded for most of the offseason that the Jays might look to flip Gurriel for pitching help. This is by no means an indication that they don’t have faith in the player. It is evidence that you have to give value to get value.

Yulieski Gurriel 1B Houston Astros formerly Sancti Spiritus Gallos/Industriales 2001-2016

Gurriel is Pina powered, a reference to his wild hairstyle representing a pineapple. It’s inevitable to discuss what if Gurriel had come to America sooner but that undersells how effective and important he has been to the Astros since his 2016 debut. He has been a solid power source and one of the hardest hitters to strike out in MLB. The natural second baseman and long time third baseman struggled initially at first base. Gurriel has rounded into a gold glove finalist at the position. At 37 his best days might be behind him but another solid campaign could result in another deep playoff run for Houston.

José Iglesias SS Los Angeles Angels formerly La Habana Vaqueros 2006-2008

Iglesias was once considered a glove only wizard at short stop but has turned into a solid bat over the past few seasons. The majors might be going through a short stop renaissance the likes of which we haven’t seen since the mid 90’s or ever and Iglesias can get lost in the shuffle. He could represent fantastic value for The Angels though. Many fear the Angels are in danger of wasting Mike Trout’s prime. They are somewhat hamstrung by big contracts meaning they have to tinker in the margins to get over the hump. Iglesias replaces Andrelton Simmons glove and represents an upgrade at the plate as well.

Raisel Iglesias RP Los Angeles Angels formerly La Isla de Juventud Piratas 2010-2013

José wasn’t the only Cuban Iglesias the Angels acquired in the offseason. Raisel Iglesias slots in as their new closer. Relative to his peers he represents a great contract value for a stopper with 100 saves since 2017. There is concern as Iglesias’ underwhelmed in 2019 losing 12 games and posting a 4.16 ERA. Similar to José the Angels are hoping picking up a Cuban Iglesias with upside can lead to their first sustained playoff run since Mike Trout broke in as the modern Mickey Mantle in 2010.

Yoan Lopez RP Arizona Diamondbacks formerly La Isla de Juventud Piratas 2011-2014

The aisle of youth had two of the best young arms in Cuba but Raisel Iglesias and Yoan Lopez now represent two of the best Cuban arms in the Majors. These former Pirates are hoping to raid the Majors in 2021. Lopez has only one full MLB season on his resume but figures to get a shot as a key setup arm for the Diamondbacks. His strikeout rates might have to increase as he ranks below average compared to the modern bullpen arm in this category.

Yoan Moncada 3B Chicago White Sox formerly Cienfuegos Elefantes 2012-2014

Moncada was once the #1 prospect in the entire world and when healthy has shown flashes of why he received this ranking. The White Sox moved him to third base after he played most of his time in Cuba at second. He has as high a ceiling as anyone on this list and forms a great duo across the diamond with his former Elefantes teammate José Abreu. The key number to watch for Moncada is likely strikeouts. He k’d a whopping 217 times in 2018 before cutting that down to 154 in his breakout 2019 campaign. 2020 was underwhelming but hopefully attributable to injuries and covid-19 creating a disjointed environment.

Adrían Morejón SP San Diego Padres formerly Mayabeque Huracanes 2014-2015

Morejón is one of the youngest player on this list and a rarity as a starting pitcher. Morejón likely figured grander into the Padres plans before the acquisitions of Blake Snell and Yu Darvish. Every Major League squad will be looking for unique ways to fill innings in 2021. Morejón figures to get enough opportunities to start but might also find himself working out of the bullpen and getting some seasoning in AAA. In a small sample in 2020 the youngster’s peripheral numbers impressed as he struck out 25 against 4 walks in 20 innings of work.

Cionel Perez RP/SP Cincinatti Reds formerly Matanzas Cocodrilos 2013-2015

The versatile left handed pitcher might have received a gift when he was acquired by Cincinnati in the off-season. He was stuck in a bit of a logjam with the Astros. Even though the Reds might be one losing streak from all-out rebuild this could represent opportunity for the 25 year old. Perez has both started and relieved in the minors. He has briefly worked out of the pen in parts of three major league seasons. He figures to play more prominently into the reds plans if only as a situational lefty.

Luis Robert CF Chicago White Sox formerly Ciego de Avila Tigres 2013-2017

Robert was the favourite to take home American League Rookie of the Year entering 2020. He started off hot but faded in the short season before rebounding slightly late including in the Sox lone playoff series. His season might be deemed a disappointment if only measured against the lofty expectations for him. He did win the Gold Glove in Center Field an impressive feat for a freshman. Similar to fellow countryman and teammate Yoan Moncada the tools especially the power are for real but strike outs, pitch recognition and adjustments will be necessary to make good on promise.

Jorge Soler RF Kansas City Royals formerly La Habana Vaqueros 2009-2011

It is hard to believe that Soler debuted back in 2014. He received a ring with the Cubs and seems like has lived a couple different careers so far. He came up to much acclaim but underachieved slightly in his time in the Windy City. Kansas City took a chance and ran on Soler Power in 2019 as Jorge set the single season record for Home Runs by a Cuban with 48. Even accounting for the short season in 2020 his rate stats clearly trailed that break out performance. Kansas City made a number of moves in the winter and some think they might be a surprise team in the A.L. They might only go as far as a resurgent Jorge Soler leads them.

Randy Arozarena RF/OF Tampa Bay Rays formerly Pinar del Rio Vegueros 2013-2015

It feels like Randy Arozarena broke every rookie playoff batting record available and some that we didn’t even know of in 2020. Incredibly he still has Rookie eligibility heading into 2021. The Tampa Bay Rays have found great value in trading for under the radar Cuban prospects in recent years as Yandy Diaz might qualify as found gold as well. Arozarena appeared in 23 regular season games hitting 7 home runs which was an appetizer for an epic playoff run. In 20 postseason games Arozarena hit .377/.442/.831 with 10 home runs, 19 runs and 14 RBIs. His 10 playoff round trippers represent an MLB record, as do his total bases and 14 extra base hits. Will Arozarena live up to the now lofty offensive expectations heading into 2021? Does he have to if he makes defensive plays like this? Arozarena is 1 of the more exciting Cuban stories of recent yrs The former Veguero left Cuba out of frustration over playing time.

[ The acquisition of Jose Abreu was personally responsible for bringing in so many of their Cuban prospects to the White Sox. Jose is respected by players here and in Cuba. He's their mentor. Jose Abreu was at the top of my list. Jose was a guy I wanted in Cleveland. ]


https://cubadugout.com/2021/04/06/cubans-in-mlb-2021/

61 National Baseball Series 2022

The date for the start of the 61 National Baseball Series 2022 isJ anuary 23, 2022 at 02:00 PM.

It will be at the Martires de Barbados stadium in the city of Bayamo, where the team from that province, champion of the previous series, Granma , will begin their journey to revalidate the title of Cuban baseball champion.

The game will be contested between the Granma team, winner of the 60 SNB, and Matanzas, runner-up of the last series.

The structure will be sustained again in 75 games and reinforcements will not be chosen for the postseason. The top eight teams qualify for the quarterfinals and will be eliminated in a series of seven games, the first to win four.

Once again it will be played during the day, taking into account the country's energy situation and the difficulties with artificial lighting in the parks.

61st Cuban National Series Preview

Predicted Order of Finish

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Phil Selig

The Granma Alazanes and Matanzas Cocodrilos will face off on January 22nd in game one. In previous years this might be game one of the finals. Instead it is game one of the 61st Cuban National Series. This represents a rematch from last April when Granma beat Matanzas in six games. Granma won their third title in the past five years. Cuba’s response to Covid-19 saw the delay of the baseball season. This is why we are roughly nine months from last seeing top level baseball on the island. That does not mean nothing has been happening in the Cuban baseball sphere.

2021 will be remembered for the most high level baseball defections we have seen in a calendar year. These defections represent a massive talent drain which will effect the league widely but certain teams even more directly. Trying to predict this upcoming season might be harder than ever. The simplest method might be to look at last years playoff field and lean on the teams returning the largest part of their roster. The immense loss of young talent could open the door for those who stayed and might have been blocked. Thus the league could be open for either a very young squad to rise or continue the trend of mature pitching leading the way.

Matanzas Cocodrilos
fell just short of winning their second consecutive title. Many have lamented the fact that they have repatriated players some from other provinces instead of being comprised purely of players from Matanzas. They are a mature team and are running the majority of that roster back. Veteran hurlers Yoennis Yera, Noelvis Entenza and Yonder Martinez seem ageless. I normally wouldn’t suggest relying on arms in their 30s but the National Series works a little differently.

Sancti Spíritus Gallos
he young Gallos took a step forward last year. They had the best record but were swept by a veteran Piñar squad in round one. They still have many of the young maturing players that won the U23 competition in 2019, the last year it was held. The loss of Geysel Cepeda hurts but the returnees should keep them competitive.

Pinar del Río Vegueros
Piñar took the last playoff spot and then had a nice playoff run. As mentioned they knocked off the first seed Gallos. They have veteran arms leading the way as well with Vladimir Baños, Erlys Casanova and former MVP Yosvani Torres all on the wrong side of 30 but similar to Matanzas still dazzling batters. Livan Moinelo and Raidel Martinez could form the nastiest bullpen combo if they are delayed as rumoured in returning to Japan.

Santiago de Cuba Avispas
Another younger squad that had success in recent U23 competitions the Wasps surprised many in making the playoffs in 2021. Yunior Tur and Santiago Torres represent the best young pitcher and position player respectively in the league. However, the threat of departure looms and Santiago has been very protective of the two. Cuba in general has to be careful as some young players have felt slighted by their exclusion from National team spots and players that otherwise might have stayed have found another path.

Granma Alazanes
The Ponies became a mini dynasty and no player was more important to this than Ace Lazaro Blanco. Blanco thus might be the most surprising player to have departed. He stayed in Florida after Team Cuba failed to qualify for the Olympics. The surprise might be more due to his advanced age and few thinking he would be an MLB prospect. However, it might be more of a case of now or never if he wanted to pursue a pro opportunity in Korea. The Alazanes have to fill that void and will also be without Finals MVP Guillermo Garcia. Garcia joins the growing number of Cubans being contracted out to NPB of Japan. Garcia would be eligible to rejoin Granma but the timings likely prevent this from happening. The Stallions are still deep enough to place or show but I’ll be surprised if they win the race.

Las Tunas Leñadores
The Lumberjacks are only three years removed from their 1st championship and much of their homegrown roster is still in tact. They are led by slugging brother Yordanis and Yosvani Alarcon and both can still swing it despite their defensive limitations. They might be able to out slug enough squads to be competitive but can they muster enough pitching to go further?

Cienfuegos Elefantes
The Elephants have arguably been the team most effected by key defections to the Majors. Note, not necessarily the most but losing players just as the team was about to break through. Yasiel Puig, José Abreu and Yoan Moncada leaving derailed what could have been the team of the 2010s. The loss of César Prieto hurts, but there is still enough thump in the lineup to win more than they lose. They will have to improve substantially on their 5.61 ERA. That mark was the worst of any of 2021’s playoff squads.

Industriales of Havana
The Lions are going to look quite different in 2022. The Blues won their 12th championship in 2010 and are still waiting. Management vowed to get younger and more versatile but went about it in a strange way. They ostercised Frank Morejon in a move that outraged many. Yoandry Urgelles and Stayler Hernandez soon retired, perhaps seeing the writing on the wall. Reigning MVP Lisban Correa is in Panama and wasn’t included in their prelim roster selection. Will he rejoin the team after his foreign commitments. Top starter Brayan Chi and close Andy Rodriguez are both pursuing MLB careers.

Camagüey Toros
The Bulls went from a finals appearance to missing the playoffs. A team that seemed to be on the door step of their first title is now in a bit of transition. Whether Yariel Rodriguez will be available or with Chunichi is unclear due to Japan’s policies on foreigners while Covid still lingers. The interesting case of another young arm Yosimar Cousin looks to have depleted them of another top pitcher. There is still some top talent in veterans Frank Medan and Yordanis Samon, but is it enough? I currently have them out of the playoffs again but they could vault a couple positions if they recapture some of 2020’s magic.

Ciego de Avila Tigres
How different would this team look with Luis Robert and Adolis Garcia patrolling the outfield? It likely would have extended their dynasty of the mid 2010s. Lets not peddle in alternate reality though other than to point out the attrition of top level talent. Rusney Castillo might be out of pro options, should both parties consider a reconciliation?

Villa Clara Leopardos
The Naranjas, Azucareros, Leopardos or whatever they are called from day to day are struggling to find their identity. They are devoid of top name talent but did appear in the finals just three years ago. They could very easily leapfrog a few of the teams ahead of them if some of their young talent comes of age. Unfortunately right now, no one is predicting particular talents to make that jump.

Mayabeque Huracanes
The former La Habana has produced a lot of talent for the International signing period of late. They have had a few of these players such as Pedro Leon and Jeison Martinez have a cup of tea with the squad on their way to America. The province perhaps due to its proximity to the capital is actually overachieving in producing top young talent, however will any of these talents wear the maroon?

Holguín Cachorros
2022 will mark 20 years since Holguín took home the most unlikely Cuban championship title. 2023 will mark 21 years as the Cachorros will struggle to be competitive this year. Veteran Edilse Silva rejoins them as the 39 year old Avispa has been a reinforcement for them in 4 other seasons. His 169 career home runs will boost their lineup but they will need to make massive strides on the hill to improve on last years record. Their team 5.70 era and minisicule 3.69 K/9 left them wanting more from their pitchers.

Isla de la Juventud Piratas
The Pirates have become a bit of a feeder system for other clubs including Industriales. Alberto Calderon is a promising young outfielder, now in the capital. Lazaro Ponce is a strong young catcher who left the Capital for the Island but now returns to the Capital. Technically a special designation and not a province, La Isla operates further away from the media spotlight than most teams. This could mean they are stockpiling young players and in this transitional year could surprise, but I’d be surprised by that.

Artemisa Cazadores
The spiritual successors to the Metropolitanos. The Metros were treated as a minor league team for Industriales, oddly this hasn’t been the case for Artemisa beyond sending Yosvani Peñalver to the capital. They still haven’t been able to build a sustainable talent base though. The Cazadores are still hunting for an identity a decade into their existence and 2022 likely wont make that identity any clearer.

Guantánamo Indios
There isn’t the same political pressure to change their name that caused Cleveland to become the Guardians. Perhaps they should consider it though just to refresh things. There are few talented Indians in this cupboard, but as mentioned the league in general is in transition. If they can get a couple of mid prospect youngsters to overachieve they could improve on their 2021 win total. Their 7.15 team ERA is the most obvious area for improvement, even a few average pitching performances could lead to big improvements.

https://cubadugout.com/2022/01/18/61st- ... s-preview/

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SEAGULL ASKS - What happened to Cuba?

Cuba arbitrarily denied participation in Caribbean Baseball Series

by Jorge Ruiz Miyares
2020-01-05 19:28:56

The Cuban Baseball Federation (CBF) has announced that Cuba has been marginalized from the Caribbean Series of that sport, slated from February 1st to the 7th in San Juan, Puerto Rico, due to pressure from the United States.

The Cuban entity stated that it received a notice from the Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation (CBPC) affirming that the Cuban Baseball Federation could not guarantee the presence of the winning team in the current National Series in the Caribbean contest.

In this communication, Commissioner Juan Francisco Puello Herrera expressed that "he understood that in no way are the Cuban people, its authorities, or its athletes the reason for this decision since the context is duly verified and beyond his control."

In its official reply to the CBPC, the Cuban Federation pointed out that the Cuban National Series will conclude late in January; then, the composition of its representation in the event will be known. Other delegations are experiencing the same situation, and it does not impede their attendance.

The Cuban Federation added that the decision by the Caribbean entity responds to arbitrary pressure from the U.S. government, and comes as an addition to other deceitful actions by its Commissioner, who has also hindered Cuba's full membership in this genuinely Caribbean organization.

By preventing, not ensuring the conditions and denying the possibility for Cuba to participate in the next edition of the Caribbean Series, the text adds, the CBPC Commissioner also informed the FCB that the Assembly of that body decided to invite another delegation that will be guaranteed to attend.

The Cuban Federation recalled that following the unjustified suspension of consular services at the United States Embassy in Havana, all Cuban sports delegations, including those from baseball, have had to go through the complicated and discriminatory process of having to travel to a third country, incurring high costs and with no guarantee of obtaining a visa. In several cases, they have been denied, not responded to, or responded to inappropriately.

The Cuban Baseball Federation urged the CBPC Commissioner to take the necessary steps to ensure the participation of the Cuban delegation.

It also reiterated its aspiration and right to be fully reinstated in the CBPC, an institution that was founded in Havana in 1949.

"The history of our baseball, at all fairs and levels, in amateurism and professionalism, makes it worthy, in its own right, for Cuba to participate in the Caribbean Series," said the Cuban Federation, adding that it does not accept the discriminatory treatment that it is receiving.

In concluding, the Cuban Federation ratified its willingness to participate in the Puerto Rico Series if the CBPC guarantees, as in previous editions, the necessary conditions to do so.

[The administration of US President Donald Trump has tightened business and travel restrictions on the Caribbean island after relations thawed under his predecessor Barack Obama.