Cleveland Sports Forum

July 6, 2012

U.S. tops Cuba in Havana, 4-3

Conforto hits grand slam, Crawford deals 6 1/3 strong innings

HAVANA --

After a 16-year hiatus in the international friendly series between the two traditional baseball powers, Cuba and the United States weren't about to let a rain delay of nearly two hours spoil the drama between the lines.

The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth inning when Michael Conforto (Oregon State) launched a grand slam and was able to hold off a furious rally late in the game by Cuba to hold on for a 4-3 win in the first contest of a five-game series.

"I am very proud of this group and what we accomplished tonight," Team USA manager Dave Serrano said. "It was an exciting win for a team that had to work through some tough circumstances, traveling in the morning, going through customs and then having a long delay before the game. They fought through it and stayed together though.

"Being able to have two great ambassadors in the sport of baseball meet up after such a long layoff was special. I thought tonight's game showed the world why these two countries should play each other each and every year."

Despite having to wait out a lengthy pregame delay, pitching in front of a raucous crowd at Latin American Stadium and facing a Cuban lineup featuring all of its big-name stars, Jonathon Crawford (Florida) rose to the challenge out-dueled Yadiel Pedroso to lead the Collegiate National Team to its first win over Cuba since 1996 and first over the Cubans in their home country since 1993 in Sancti Spiritus.

Crawford finished with 6.1 strong innings, striking out six, walking two and allowing just two runs on four hits. He matched Pedroso pitch-for-pitch in the early goings as both hurlers tossed zeroes up in the first five frames.

In the top of the sixth though, Team USA finally started to put some pressure on offensively as Kyle Farmer (Georgia) and Trea Turner (North Carolina State) singled and walked, respectively, to put two runners on base and force Cuba to make a move to the bullpen.

Although Johnny Field (Arizona) greeted Joel Suarez with a long drive to left, it fell just shy of the wall on the warning track for the second out of the inning. A heads-up play by Farmer and Turner ensued, however, as they were both able to tag up and advance 90 feet into scoring position.

That would turn out to be a big play in Thursday's game as Cuba then decided to intentionally walk D.J. Peterson (New Mexico) to load the bases with two outs. That decision immediately proved fruitful for Team USA as Conforto turned on a 1-1 slider from new relief pitcher Norberto Gonzalez and deposited it five rows deep into the rightfield stands for a grand slam.

Holding a 4-0 lead all of a sudden, Crawford continued to keep the momentum on the U.S. side of the field as he retired the side in the home half of the frame on just four pitches.

Cuba wasn't going to go down without putting up a fight, however, and Frederich Cepeda got his team on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run homerun that just evaded the glove of a leaping Austin Cousino (Kentucky) over the 380-foot marker in left-center.

The next batter singled through the right side of the infield to end Crawford's evening, but David Berg (UCLA) came out of the bullpen to induce an inning-ending, 5-4-3 double play and keep the damage to the minimum.

Cuba kept the pressure on in the eighth, taking advantage of a pair of U.S. miscues in the field and using a two-strike sacrifice bunt to put two runners in scoring position with just one out. Yulieski Gourriel then punched an RBI single back up the middle, but a strong throw from Cousino in center held Cuba to just one run on the play.

Team USA then turned to Bobby Wahl (Mississippi) to escape the jam and he struck out both Alfredo Despaigne and Jose Abreu swinging with the tying run at third and go-ahead run at first to keep the U.S. lead intact.

The Cubans threatened again in the bottom of the ninth with Cepeda drawing a leadoff walk but Wahl did his job again, getting Alexei Bell to fly out to left and Erisbel Arruebarruena to hit into a game-ending, 4-3 double play.

The United States and Cuba will square off again at 8 p.m. on Friday night at Latin American Stadium with Marco Gonzales (Gonzaga) and Ordrisamer Despaigne set to battle it out on the mound.

July 7, 2012

Cuba rallies to even series, 7-6

Krys Bryant goes 3-for-5 with two doubles and a triple

HAVANA -

The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team took a four-run lead into the seventh inning but Cuba rallied with five runs over the next two frames to claim a 7-6 win and even the series on Friday evening at Latin American Stadium.

"Tonight was another great game between two of the best teams in international baseball," Collegiate National Team manager Dave Serrano said. "I thought Marco (Gonzales) pitched an outstanding game and we got our bats going a little bit, but just couldn't quite hold on at the end. Cuba is a very talented team with a lot of experience and unfortunately they finished with one more run than we had tonight."

After Team USA emerged with a one-run win in the series opener, Cuba turned the tables in the second game. With the U.S. leading 6-2, Cuba scored three runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth to take its first lead in the series and then handed the ball over to closer Pablo Millan Fernandez who pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the save.

Marco Gonzales (Gonzaga) started the game on the mound for Team USA and hurled 6.0 strong innings with seven strikeouts, while Kris Bryant (San Diego) led the effort at the plate with a 3-for-5 performance, including two doubles and a triple.

Three other U.S. players - D.J. Peterson (New Mexico), Michael Conforto (Oregon State) and Johnny Field (Arizona) - hit home runs in the contest. For Conforto, it was his second in two games as he launched a grand slam to account for all of Team USA's runs in Thursday night's victory.

The home team on Friday, Team USA got the ball rolling in its favor right out of the gate as Peterson crushed a 2-0 offering from Cuba starting pitcher Ismel Jimenez deep into the leftfield stands to give his team a quick 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

Altough Cuba answered with solo home runs off the bats of Alfredo Despaigne and Rusney Castillo to tie the game, the U.S. jumped right back out in front.

Conforto and Field went deep just two batters apart in the third and then the Red, White and Blue scored on an error by Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarruena in the fifth and got an RBI single from Field on a perfectly executed hit-and-run in the sixth to take a 6-2 lead.

That would be the last time a Team USA player would cross the plate on Friday, however, as Cuba rallied to turn its deficit into a one-run victory.

Jose Abreu got the comeback started with a leadoff home run in the top of the seventh before an RBI groundout by Arruebarruena and a sacrifice fly by Rusney Castillo. Just one inning later, Cuba took its first lead of the series when William Luis stroked a bases-loaded single to center, bringing in two more runs, including the eventual game-winner.

Thir third contest between the United States and Cuba is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. once again on Saturday night. Righthander Adam Plutko (UCLA) will make the start for Team USA.

July 8, 2012

Cuba walks off with win over USA, 9-8

D.J. Peterson hits home run for second straight day

HAVANA --

For the third time in three games, the final outcome between the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and Cuba came down to the last pitch as Cuba scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth, capped by a walk-off single by Dayan Garcia, to win, 9-8, on Saturday evening at Latin American Stadium.

"That was a very tough loss," Team USA manager Dave Serrano said. "Hopefully we continue to show the fans of Cuba that we came here to play some baseball. The fact that all three games have been so close is a tribute to the talent and abilities of both teams and just shows how even both teams are and how great they are at playing the game of baseball."

For the second straight day, D.J. Peterson (New Mexico) connected for a home run, while Kris Bryant (San Diego) finished 2-for-3 with a single and a three-run shot of his own. Cuba's Jose Abreu and Alfredo Despaigne both posted three-hit performances and Garcia was 2-for-4 with four RBIs, including the game-winner.

On the mound, Adam Plutko (UCLA) worked through 5.2 extremely hard-fought innings for Team USA, striking out three and yielding four runs on eight hits before leaving with his team up by two, 6-4.

The U.S. would extend that lead to 8-5 going into the bottom of the ninth, but Cuba had all six of its hitters reach base and the first four score in the game's final frame to emerge with the win. An error got the stanza started before back-to-back singles by Frederich Cepeda and Despaigne, along with a double by Abreu, cut the United States lead to one and put two runners in scoring position with nobody out.

Likely needing at least two straight strikeouts to keep its lead intact, Team USA turned to fireballing southpaw Carlos Rodon (North Carolina State), fresh off his arrival from the Golden Spikes Award announcement in New York City. He would throw just a single pitch though, with Garcia lining it to center for the game-winning hit as both runners came in to score.

For the first time in the series, Cuba actually scored the first run of the game, getting an RBI single from Garcia in the bottom of the second. The U.S. had an immediate answer though when Peterson laid into a 1-2 pitch with a runner on base and crushed it well out of the park to leftcenter to put Team USA back on top, 2-1.

Just an inning later, Colton Plaia (Loyola Marymount) punched a clutch two-out, two-strike single to right to plate another run and make it 3-1. After a sac fly by Cuba in the bottom of the fourth cut the lead down to one, the U.S. answered three-fold in the top of the fifth.

With runners at first and second after back-to-back singles by Kyle Farmer (Georgia) and Trea Turner (North Carolina State), Bryant hit a towering three-run shot to left to put the U.S. ahead, 6-2.

Much like Friday night, the Cuban bats started to come alive late in the game as Abreu singled in a run in the fifth and both Alexei Bell and Erisbel Arruebarrueno hit solo home runs in the sixth to bring their team back within one run at 6-5.

Team USA was able to add to that lead with single tallies in both the top of the seventh and the ninth to take an 8-5 advantage going into the final frame.

In the seventh, the U.S. used three straight free passes - one hit batter and two walks - to load the bases with nobody out. Although Cuba nearly escaped unscathed, getting a strikeout and a lineout to third, pinch-hitter Austin Cousino (Kentucky) put together a quality, two-out at-bat that resulted in a run-scoring walk.

The Red, White and Blue then added what it thought was an insurance run in the ninth, going up 8-5 and setting up the dramatic finish. The run came in to score on suicide squeeze bunt by Brett Hambright (Oregon) who dropped down a perfect bunt between the mound and first base that ended up as an RBI single.

Game four between the United States and Cuba is slated for a 4 p.m. start on Sunday afternoon. Righthander Ryne Stanek (Arkansas) will toe the rubber for Team USA.

July 8, 2012

Cuba beats USA, claims Game 4, 5-2

Johnny Field was 2-for-4 and drove in both U.S. runs

HAVANA -

The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team couldn't find an answer for Cuban starting pitcher Freddy Alvarez who struck out eight and allowed just two hits in 7.1 innings to lead Cuba to a 5-2 win on Sunday afternoon at Latin American Stadium.

Team USA fell behind early and played catch-up all game. Trailing by four with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, the U.S. put together a two-out rally, getting a single from Kyle Farmer (Georgia), a double by Austin Cousino (Kentucky) and another two-bagger, which drove in both runners, by Johnny Field (Arizona).

Finally on the scoreboard, the Red, White and Blue found itself just one swing of the bat away from tying the contest but Cuba closer Pablo Milian Fernandez came on to shut the door, getting the final four outs of the game.

Although saddled with the loss, U.S. starter Ryne Stanek (Arkansas) pitched well in hot and humid conditions in Havana, striking out four and yielding three runs - two earned - in six strong innings. Dan Child (Oregon State) made his first appearance of the series, striking out three in two frames of work, before Trevor Williams (Arizona State) twirled a scoreless ninth.

The U.S. managed just five hits for the entire contest, Field and Cousino each adding singles in addition to the three-straight hits in the eighth.

The difference in the game came down to free passes, as Team USA issued nine, compared to just two by Cuba.

Playing as the visiting team in its own stadium, Cuba got the scoring started in the top of the first with an RBI single by Frederich Cepeda. It was almost a two-run deficit right out of the gate for the U.S. as Jose Abreu later singled with two runners on base, but Michael Lorenzen (Cal State Fullerton) made a heads-up play by in center, throwing behind the runner at second for the third out before the run crossed the plate.

Two innings later, a leadoff, two-base error came back to haunt Team USA as Cuba bunted the runner to third, allowing him to score on a wild pitch just moments later. Cepeda then struck again in the fifth, blasting a 3-2 pitch to left for a solo home to put Cuba up 3-0.

In the top of the eighth, Cuba tacked on another tally as William Luis stroked a pinch-hit RBI single to right to make it 4-0.

Following Field's two-run double in the home half of the frame, Cuba got one of the runs back in the ninth thanks to the hustle of Alexei Bell. The "Toy Cannon" led off the frame by getting hit by a pitch and promptly stole second. He then took off for third and was able to score as the throw from the catcher sailed into left field.

The five-game series between Cuba and the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team will conclude at 8 p.m. on Monday at Latin American Stadium in Havana. Southpaw Carlos Rodon (North Carolina State) is slated to make the start for the Red, White and Blue.

With one "swing" the cleanup hitter Michael Conforto U.S. decided the first shock to stop Cuba

Alexei Bell scored an important race for Cuba in the seventh.

William Luis Campillo is disguised as a hero in two straight games

The right Freddy Asiel Alvarez worked flawlessly with the United States.

Luis Barrera takes his lumber to the A’s farm system

Posted July 3rd, 2012 by DPL & filed under DPL News,


LUIS BARRERA-OF, 6’0”, 185lb, L/L, 11/15/95, Tamboril, Dominican Republic

Luis Barrera is undoubtedly the best hitter in the Dominican Prospect League and probably all of Latin America. Luis was first discovered by notable trainer Juan “Quico” Pena in Santiago, DR. He broke into the DPL Cibao circuit last year where he showed superior hitting ability to counterparts, soon after he was sent to the Boca-Chica circuit where pitching is predominantly better, and all he did was HIT. Barrera was the MVP of the Louisville Slugger Tournament Series leading the Cibao team to the championship title. He is as competitive a player as they come; he plays the game with a lot of heart and always wants to win. He was a 2012 DPL All-Star and selected to the DPL Elite Travel Team. The Oakland A’s and Barrera reached an agreement for a contract value of $450,000.00 plus $8,000 college scholarship.

He has a mature, somewhat thick build with very good present strength and limited projection. His left handed swing is neither smooth nor easy, with big rotation and lots of moving parts and effort. But when you watch him hit over an extended period of games, it’s easy to notice that all he does is mash the ball. One MLB scout remarked, “He’s a pedigree hitting guy. Barrera’s other tools aren’t bad taken in context. He splits time between first base and right field and is a 7.14 runner. He throws 89 mph from the outfield.

Congratulations to the Oakland A’s, Juan “Quico Pena and the Barrera family!

Richard Ureña stays internationally signing with Toronto

Posted July 3rd, 2012 by DPL & filed under DPL News,


Richard Ureña was raised in the northern portion of the Dominican Republic in San Francisco de Macoris, he was scouted by notable trainer Corporan Decarte and was taken to his installation in San Pedro de Macoris (which is in the eastern region). He began the DPL season in November and immediately placed himself on the map as one the best infielders on the island. Richard took part in the PG National showcase this May where he ran 6.9, showed superb defensive skills and 92-mph arm strength across the diamond. Ureña has a good approach and fluid left handed swing, he’s presently a gap to gap hitter with power projection. He was selected to the 2012 DPL All-Star Game and the DPL Elite Travel team. The Toronto Blue Jays were said to be tied to a hand full of big name players in this years class. After evaluating him throughout the season they decided to make Ureña part of their long term plans.

Congratulations to the Blue Jays, Corporan Decarte and the Ureña family.

IF Richard Ureña – PERFECT GAME REPORT
6-0/170, L/R, 1/26/96, San Francisco de Macoris, DR

Trainer: Corporan Decarte

PG Grade: 10

Ureña is a nice combination for scouts, a left handed hitting middle infielder with some polish to his bat and all the tools to stay at shortstop for a long time. He’s a 6.8 runner, and while he may not be a big base stealer at the upper levels, his speed will turn plenty of singles into doubles and doubles into triples. Ureña is the most patient hitter of the DPL hitters and has the best bat control. Most of his hard contact comes up the middle and to the left side, but it wasn’t soft contact, as he drove one ball over the left fielder’s head against a very good Yankees minor league pitcher and consistently drove the ball to the left centerfield gap. He had another at-bat against a Red Sox minor leaguer where he fouled off four straight 2-2 pitches, then took two additional pitches just off the plate to draw the walk.

At shortstop, Ureña doesn’t lack for either flash or tools. He throws from a quick side arm release but consistently registered 85-88 mph on the gun without really letting the ball go. He showed outstanding range up the middle on a couple of plays. If there is any fault to his defensive game it’s that he’ll get a bit casual and flashy on routine plays and his hands will swipe at the ball instead of taking it in. But all the tools are there to be a top flight big league shortstop.

The Boston Redsox land Wendell Rijo

Posted July 6th, 2012 by DPL & filed under DPL News,

Although Wendell Rijo wasn’t the best runner or had the best power, he was undoubtedly the best baseball player in the Dominican Prospect League in 2012.
His future tools grade out to be a solid Major League player as he runs plus, has a solid average arm and defense, and should hit for average and power. Wendell suffered an ACL injury during the DPL Elite Travel Team tour during the 2012 season. Prior to the injury Rijo took the league by storm, he was selected to the DPL All-Star Game where he was named MVP for deciding the game with a walk off hit providing the red team with the victory. The Boston Redsox have reached an agreement with Rijo for a contract value of $625,000.00. Congratulations to the Redsox, Victor Bruce and the Rijo family.

Perfect Game scouting report

IF WENDELL RIJO- PERFECT GAME REPORT

5-11/170, R/R, 9/4/95, La Romana, DR

Trainer: Victor Bruce

PG Grade: 10

Rijo sprained his knee during a rundown in the game at the Red Sox Complex in Fort Myers and was unable to play for the rest of the trip. The injury looked more serious when it occurred and it’s very fortunate that it wasn’t worse. Rijo is an outstanding prospect from a number of different perspectives. He is the son of a scout and has a deeper and mature understanding of the game than his fellow DPL prospects. He’s also the oldest of the players, having just missed being eligible to sign July 2, 2011 by four days, and is clearly the leader and most respected player of the group.

The first thing we were told in the Dominican was that Rijo was the best“player” we would see but his tools wouldn’t stand out. We respectfully disagree; this young man has some really high level tools.

He’s a 6.6 runner with a quick first step. You look at him and immediately thing second base defensively as his arm strength isn’t a plus and he has a fairly stocky build. However, he has plus range and a very quick release at shortstop and the instinctive ability to make plays. Offensively, Rijo has surprising pull power from the right side of the plate and it’s present usable game power. He approach is similar to Dustin Pedroia’s in that there’s a coiled aggression and explosion at the ball that generates more bat speed and carry on the ball than what you would expect from a player that size. A distinguishing part of Rijo’s hitting mechanics is that he keeps his hands above the ball as well as any young hitter we’ve ever seen.

Gustavo Cabrera has a higher ceiling than Rijo physically, but if there was one player from this DPL group you would want to bet is going to be a very good Major League player, it would be Rijo.

2012 DPL Press Conference

Posted July 6th, 2012 by DPL & filed under DPL News


2012 Dominican Prospect League press conference. Bottom left to right) Stanley Javier MLBPA, Juan Mercado PIT, Rene Gayo PIT, Pablo Peguero SFG, Brian Mejia DPL, Ulises Cabrera DPL.

(Top row) Jose Aparicio, Roberto Morales, Nathanel Javier, Gustavo Cabrera, Frandy Delarosa, Richard Urena, Wendell Rijo, Luis Barrera, Deivi Grullon, Jose Pujols, Fausto Mejia, Lizahio Baez, Juan Pena, Carlos Delacruz, Raulin Rosario.

We would like to Thank all of the Professional Scouts, Independent Trainers and our Dominican Prospect League staff for making this year a complete success! We are already looking forward to the 2013 season..

<
Julio Pinto and Samir Dueñez sign with the KC Royals

Posted July 10th, 2012 by DPL & filed under DPL News


Julio Pinto, who signed for $375,000, is a projection arm who throws 88-92 mph with developing secondary stuff that includes a curveball and a changeup. He trained with Luis Blasini, who also represented Samir Dueñez, the third baseman the Royals signed for $425,000.

Pinto and Dueñez both also traveled to the Dominican Republic last month for the

Dominican Prospect League’s Perfect Game International Series, where Pinto was named the pitching MVP during the showcase’s all-tournament game. Samir Dueñes goes 3 for 5, while showing scouts his hitting ability and power.

July 10, 2012

U.S. closes stay in Cuba with 5-4 win

Johnny Field comes through with clutch two-RBI single

HAVANA --

Facing a team featuring all of Cuba's top players in front of a spirited crowd at Latin American Stadium, the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team closed out a hotly-contested five-game series -- the first against Cuba in 16 years -- with a thrilling, 5-4, come-from-behind victory.

"What an incredible week of baseball," Team USA manager Dave Serrano said. "I could not be more proud of this team and how it stood toe-to-toe with the best players Cuba has to offer, which are some of the best in the world as they showed this week. All five games were close, hard-fought ballgames which shows the level of talent we have on our team as well.

"The past five days have been a great experience, both on the baseball field and off. The return of this series is much-needed for the sport and I credit the USA and Cuban baseball federations for putting it back together. The adversity we have had to overcome and the lessons we learned this week in Havana will pay huge dividends as we turn our attention to the ultimate goal of winning the gold medal at the Honkball Tournament in the Netherlands."

Trailing by one going into the eighth inning, Team USA rattled off three runs to take a 5-3 lead and held off a late push by Cuba to bookend the series with wins.

The U.S. used a walk and a pair of hit batters to load the bases before Trea Turner (North Carolina State) was hit by a pitch as well to force in a run and cut the deficit to a single run. Johnny Field (Arizona) then struck the big blow, stroking a two-run single to center to give the red, white and blue the lead.

After getting three straight groundouts to record a clean seventh inning, Jonathon Crawford (Florida) worked around a single, a pair of walks and an RBI groundout to keep the U.S. lead intact through the eighth, 5-4.

Bobby Wahl (Mississippi) then came on to close out the game, striking out two in the bottom of the ninth to finish off Team USA's second win over Cuba. Just like the first contest in the series, Crawford earned the win with Wahl posting the save.

Making the start for Team USA was Carlos Rodon (North Carolina State). The Baseball America Freshman of the Year and Golden Spikes Award finalist delivered six quality innings, striking out four and allowing just three runs on eight hits.

Cuba got the scoring started on Monday when Alfredo Despaigne launched a solo home run in the bottom of the second. Team USA answered right back, however, putting together a two-run, two-out rally

Austin Cousino (Kentucky) got the ball rolling with a two-out single to right. D.J. Peterson (New Mexico) then drew a four-pitch walk to set up Michael Conforto (Oregon State) to drive in Cousino from second with a single back up the middle. Kris Bryant (San Diego) followed with another base hit to load the bases for Marco Gonzales (Gonzaga) who drew a run-scoring walk.

In the fifth, Cuba took advantage of a generous call at second that extended the inning to regain the lead, 3-2.

Aledmis Diaz started the frame by pulling a leadoff double into the corner in right. He took a big turn at second and the throw beat him back to the base, but he was ruled safe on a bang-bang play at the bag. Serrano came out to dispute the decision and was ejected before making it all the way to second.

That call would prove costly for Team USA as it quickly got what would have been the second and third outs before Cuba punched three straight singles with the last one, by Frederich Cepeda, driving in two runs to give Cuba the lead and set up the dramatic eighth-inning rally by the United States.

Over the course of the series, a total of 35 players saw action for the Cuban team which routinely switched out eight pitchers from its 24-man roster each game, using 17 different pitchers in the five games. Included among that list were 12 players who have competed in the World Baseball Classic, four of which have done so twice.

Team USA will spend the next few days traveling as it heads across the Atlantic Ocean to compete in the Haarlem Honkbal Week in the Netherlands. Prior to beginning action in the biggest international baseball competition of the year, the U.S. squad will play an exhibition game on Thursday, June 12. The following day, the U.S. will begin the competition with a contest against Japan.

The U.S. will not have to wait long to face the Cuban team again, as the two squads will play for the sixth time on June 14. The United States will also square off with Puerto Rico, Taiwan and the Netherlands before the medal-round games begin on Friday, July 20.

Both ensembles played a good series and fired until the end of this week when they are the faces in the Tournament of Haarlem, Holland.