Dodgers win bid for Korean star Ryu

Club has 30 days to negotiate deal for left-handed pitcher

By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com | 11/10/12 11:58 AM ET
Hyun-Jin Ryu went 9-9 with a 2.66 ERA last season for Hanwha, striking out 210 over 182 2/3 innings. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

LOS ANGELES --


The Dodgers were the winning bidder for Korean left-handed pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu, Major League Baseball announced on Saturday.

The Dodgers' bid, reportedly for about $25.7 million, was accepted by Ryu's team, the Hanwha Eagles. The Dodgers have an exclusive 30-day window to negotiate a contract with the pitcher and his agent, Scott Boras. If no deal is reached, Ryu would return to the Eagles and could not participate in another posting process until next year.

Presumably, Ryu would satisfy Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti's expressed desire to add a front-line pitcher to a starting rotation that already includes Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Josh Beckett, Aaron Harang, Chris Capuano and Ted Lilly.

The signing of Ryu would allow a trade -- most likely of Harang or Capuano -- once the team is satisfied that Lilly had recovered from shoulder surgery or Billingsley had avoided Tommy John elbow surgery after suffering a partially torn ligament.

Ryu, a seven-year veteran, was the first player to win MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season in Korea. An 18-game winner as a rookie, he averaged 15 wins per year until this past season, when the Eagles finished last and Ryu had only nine wins, along with a 2.66 ERA.

The 6-1, 215-pound Ryu is a strikeout pitcher with a fastball in the low-90s, a changeup and a slider. He helped Korea to the finals of the 2009 World Baseball Classic and the gold medal in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Ryu struck out 210 over 182 2/3 innings this past season and has a career 2.80 ERA.

The bid for Ryu, which was actually $25,737,737.33, ranks third among posting bids submitted for Asian players, behind $51.7 million for Yu Darvish and $51.1 million for Daisuke Matsuzaka.

"We believe this figure is acceptable for the rights to the top ace in South Korea," the Eagles said on their official website, according to Agence France-Presse.

"I've made a step forward for a dream come true," Ryu was quoted as saying on the site, according to AFP.

The Dodgers, after nearly a decade of de-emphasizing international players, have re-established their presence in a big way this year, most notably with the $42 million signing of Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig.

Chan Ho Park became the first South Korean-born player in the Major Leagues when he signed with the Dodgers in 1994.

Atenienses' Vaughn hits tie-breaking homer

Mets prospect falls triple shy of cycle in third Puerto Rican League game

11/11/12 1:35 AM ET
Cory Vaughn has some raw skills to profile as a right fielder with plenty of tools

Puerto Rican Winter League

Manati 8, Caguas 5

Mets No. 19 prospect Cory Vaughn fell a triple shy of the cycle and homered to snap a seventh-inning tie as the Atenienses recorded their first win of the season. D-backs prospect Yazy Arbelo also went deep, doubled, drove in two runs and scored twice for Manati. Former Nationals farmhand Edgardo Baez drilled a two-run shot for the Criollos.

Mayaguez 4, Santurce 0

Former Major Leaguer Jon Huber pitched four innings and combined with three relievers on a six-hitter as the Indios extended their season-opening winning streak to three games. Adonis Garcia hit a two-run homer and Royals infielder Irving Falu lifted a pair of sacrifice flies for Mayaguez. Reds No. 9 prospect Neftali Soto picked up two hits for Santurce.

Ponce at Carolina, postponed

Venezuelan Winter League

Caribes 9, Aragua 5

Padres infielder Alexi Amarista homered and drove in four runs as the Caribes snapped the Tigres' three-game winning streak. Marlins outfielder Gorkys Hernandez contributed three hits, two RBIs and a run scored for Anzoategui, while Alex Romero went 3-for-5 and drove in three runs for Aragua.

Magallanes 9, Lara 5

Major League veteran Eliezer Alfonzo went 4-for-4 with his sixth homer of the season and three RBIs, powering the first-place Navegantes to their fourth straight win. Nationals farmhand Carlos Maldonado homered for Magallanes, giving him RBIs in 13 of his last 14 games. Cubs infielder Luis Valbuena went yard and scored twice in a losing effort.

La Guaira 7, Caracas 3

Dodgers No. 10 prospect Alex Castellanos went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, an RBI and three runs scored as the Tiburones won their third straight. Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf and Oscar Salazar drove in two runs apiece for La Guaira, while Rays farmhand Henry Wrigley had two hits and scored twice for the Leones.

Zulia at Margarita, suspended

Dominican Winter League

Toros 4, Aguilas 1

Eugenio Velez, who spent the season with the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate, smacked a solo homer and scored twice in the Toros' third straight win. Mets prospect Jefry Marte broke open a tight game with a two-run single in the seventh for Este, while former Major Leaguers Miguel Tejada and Hector Luna had two hits apiece for the Aguilas.

Estrellas 5, Escogido 2, 1st game

Cubs No. 9 prospect Junior Lake went 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored to lead the Estrellas past the last-place Leones. Ed Rogers also had three hits, including an RBI single, for Oriente, which got 3 2/3 scoreless innings from Red Sox prospect Stolmy Pimentel. Mauro Gomez (Red Sox) was 3-for-4 and scored a run for Escogido.

Estrellas 1, Escogido 0, 2nd game

Derek Hankins, who spent the season with the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, allowed one hit over three innings out of the bullpen as the Estrellas completed a sweep of their doubleheader. Padres prospect Jonathan Galvez doubled and scored the game's only run, while Angels No. 5 prospect Kole Calhoun reached base twice for the Leones.

Gigantes 5, Licey 4

Astros outfielder Jimmy Paredes reached on a throwing error in the ninth inning and scored the winning run on another throwing error as the Gigantes rallied past the Tigres. Marlins No. 5 prospect Marcell Ozuna doubled, walked and scored a run for Cibao, while pinch-hitter Juan Miranda delivered a two-run double for Licey.

Mexican Pacific League

Los Mochis 13, Guasave 8

Former White Sox Minor Leaguer Jesus Avila drove in four runs out of the ninth spot in the lineup, helping the Cañeros snap a three-game losing streak. Jason Botts homered for the fourth time in his last six games and scored twice for Los Mochis, while former Padres farmhand Jesus Lopez went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored for Guasave.

Mexicali 4, Culiacan 1

Antonio Lamas went 3-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs off the bench, falling a triple shy of the cycle, in the Aguilas' second straight win. Former Major Leaguer Chris Roberson singled, walked, stole a base and scored twice for Mexicali, while Marlon Byrd drove in the Tomateros' only run.

Hermosillo 3, Mazatlan 2

Karim Garcia slugged a three-run homer in the eighth inning to power the Naranjeros to their sixth consecutive win. Miguel Ruiz pitched long enough for the win, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out seven over seven innings. Jon Del Campo hit a two-run homer for Mazatlan, which got six scoreless frames from former Major Leaguer Walter Silva.

Obregon 6, Navojoa 2

Carlos Valencia drilled a walk-off grand slam as the Yaquis handed the Mayos their third straight setback. David Reyes struck out four over 5 2/3 scoreless innings for Obregon, while Abel Martinez hit a solo homer for Navojoa.

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Australian Baseball League

•Andrew Campbell (PH-LF, Brisbane Bandits): 0-for-2, 1 K. Campbell has had a rough start to his ABL season. He’s only two games in, but he has yet to record a hit.

•Ryan Battaglia (C, Brisbane Bandits): 0-for-3, 1 BB, 2 K. Battaglia made his debut with Brisbane in Saturday’s contest. The right-handed hitting catcher is coming off a season with the AZL Indians in which he hit .214/.382/.417 in 29 games. The average leaves a lot to be desired, but of his 18 hits, he recorded four doubles, two triples and three home runs.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Gregorio Petit (SS, Leones del Caracas): 0-for-3, E. Unfortunately for Petit, his three-game hit streak did not last long as it ended after Friday’s 0-fer. Overall, Petit is hitting .195, and he has committed five errors.

Dominican Winter League

•Juan Diaz (SS, Estrellas de Oriente): Game 1: 0-for-1. In the first game against Leones del Escogido, Diaz only got one at-bat and was unfortunately unable to muster any offense.

•Juan Diaz (SS, Estrellas de Oriente): Game 2: 0-for-3, 1 K. Things only got worse for Diaz in the second contest as he did not record a hit in three attempts. He has now gone hitless in his last three contests, and his average has taken somewhat of a hit as he has gone just 9-for-43 in 17 games.

•Yan Gomes (C-3B, Toros del Este): 0-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K. The newly acquired Gomes was again in action on Saturday, and he showed off some of his versatility as he played at both catcher and shortstop in the contest. Unfortunately, that was about the only thing he showed off as he did not record a hit and has now gone 11-for-56 in 16 games.

Mon, Nov 12, 2012 - Page 20　

Monkeys prove no match for Giants

By Paul Huang / Contributing reporter
Japan’s Yomiuri Giants celebrate after defeating Taiwan’s Lamigo Monkeys in the title game for the Asia Series in Busan, South Korea, yesterday.

Photo: Lin Cheng-kung, Taipei Times

The Lamigo Monkeys proved no match for Japan’s Yomiuri Giants in the title game of this year’s Asia Series as they dropped a 6-3 decision to the Japanese at the Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, South Korea, yesterday afternoon.

Starter Paul Phillips struggled from the get go, issuing a leadoff walk to the Giants’ Shinnosuke Abe in the top of the second and allowing back-to-back doubles to the next two batters to fall behind by two before serving up a two-run homer to Kazunari Sanematsu to find himself down 0-4.

The Primates threatened to score in the bottom of the same inning by loading up the bases with one out against Ryosuke Miyaguni on a single and a pair of walks. However, the Yomiuri starter managed to escape unharmed by getting the next two Monkeys to line out and ground out to strand the runners.

The Primates finally broke through in the fourth against Miyaguni when Lin Chih-sheng led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo blast to left to cut the Giant lead to three. However, that was as close as the champs from Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League would get as the Giants added to their lead with a run apiece in the sixth and the seventh that made it 6-1.

Trailing by five, the Monkeys mustered one final offensive in the bottom of the ninth with two runs off Giants closer Kentaro Nishimura on the strength of Yu The-long’s two-run single. However, it did not prevent the Giants from claiming their first and Japan’s fifth title in the six Asia Series played thus far.

Miyaguni was credited with the win for allowing a run on four hits over six innings of play to beat his counterpart Phillips who lasted only 1-2/3 innings before being pulled. The normal closer for the Monkeys looked uncomfortable with four allowed runs on three hits in an unfamiliar starting role.

With the victory, the Giants took home not only the top honor in Asian Baseball, but NT$13,000,000 (US$48,000) in prize money while the Monkeys won NT$8,000,000 as runnesr-up.

Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012

NPB NOTEBOOK

WBC squad may be hurting for top-line pitching

By JASON COSKREY

Staff writer

Japan manager Koji Yamamoto said his World Baseball Classic team would mirror previous Japan squads and be built around pitching and defense.

An admirable ideal, if not for the small issue of his best pitcher not wanting to play. What's more, the second or third-best options might not be available either.

Yu Darvish announced earlier in the week that he wouldn't help Japan in its quest for a third straight WBC title, opting to focus on his MLB pursuits.

"Given my substantial workload over the last few seasons and the numerous changes I've endured in my move to the United States, I have decided with my team of advisers that getting ample rest is the most important thing for me right now as I prepare for the 2013 season," Darvish said in a statement issued Tuesday. "My ultimate goal is to help win a World Series with the Texas Rangers and to share that accomplishment with the great baseball fans in Japan."

Like Darvish, the Seattle Mariners' Hisashi Iwakuma is coming off his first season in the majors and could conceivably pull out citing similar reasons. Also, Daisuke Matsuzaka is searching for a new job and his status as a free agent could force him off the roster as he attempts to land with a new team.

Yamamoto may also face long odds should he call on Hiroki Kuroda, who like the manager is a former Hiroshima Carp star. A 37-year-old free agent and veteran of five MLB seasons, it would also seem to be in Kuroda's best interests to sit this one out.

Japan took the field with an MLB-ready pitcher on the roster in the two previous editions of the WBC, following Matsuzaka's lead in 2006 and featuring Darvish, Matsuzaka and Iwakuma in 2009 — that trio was still in NPB during the WBC but already had the attention of MLB scouts.

That type of player may be harder to come by this time around.

Quite the pedigree:\

When new Chiba Lotte Marines skipper Tsutomu Ito begins the new season, he'll join two of his former Seibu Lions teammates, Hisanobu Watanabe and Koji Akiyama in the Pacific League managerial ranks.

The trio was together with the Lions from 1984-97, helping guide the team to 10 PL pennants and six Japan Series titles (from a pair of three-peats in 86-88 and 90-92).

All three have also experienced success in the dugout.

Ito was the Lions' manager from 2004-2007 and guided the team to a Japan Series title in his first season in the dugout. Watanabe took over for Ito in 2008, and also led Seibu to the summit in his first season on the job. Watanabe is still in charge of the team. Akiyama was named manager for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in 2009, and was celebrating a Japan Series win in 2011.

The Marines are banking on that sort of quick turnaround from Ito this time around.

Fancy meeting you here:

The Yomiuri Giants defeated the Australian Baseball League's Perth Heat 7-1 during the Asia Series on Friday in Busan, South Korea.

Manager Tatsunori Hara installed outfielder Yoshiyuki Kamei in the leadoff spot for the Kyojin, and Kamei finished 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Kamei should have at least had a working knowledge of the Heat, having played in the ABL himself in 2010. Kamei played 16 games for the Melbourne Aces in 2010, in an attempt to hone his game, and hit .438 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs in 64 at-bats.

Eagles' hurler to get big deal

Ryu Hyun-jin Hanwha Eagles pitcher

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Scott Boras LA Dodgers offer Hanwha $26 mil. for exclusive talks

By Kang Seung-woo

Hanwha Eagles left-hander Ryu Hyun-jin has the chance to join the Los Angeles Dodgers on a big contract.

“It’ a dream come true,” Ryu said after the deal was reported Saturday.

The Dodgers made the winning bid of $25.7 million (27.9 billion won) to negotiate a contract over a 30-day period with the 25-year-old pitcher, it was confirmed Sunday.

The offer is the fourth highest for an Asian player behind three Japanese pitchers ― $51.7 million for Yu Darvish, $51.1 million for Daisuke Matsuzaka and $26 million for Kei Igawa.

“We are thrilled to have this exciting opportunity,” said Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti. “We are looking to improve our team in 2013 and beyond. We’d like to thank the Hanwha Eagles.”

Estimates vary about the pay package Ryu may be offered.

Matsuzaka landed a six-year, $52 million contract with the Boston Red Sox in 2006, while Darvish signed a six-year, $60 million contract with the Texas Rangers last year.

The pitcher’s agent is Scott Boras, who represents many top-dollar players in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Boras has reportedly said that Ryu could wait and earn free-agent status by playing two more years for Hanwha if the deal offered is considered too low as that would raise his value significantly.

“He’s ready to pitch in the big leagues right now,” Scott Boras told the Los Angeles Times. “He’s not a developmental project.”

Boras said Ryu, who stands 1.87 meters tall and weighs 98 kilograms, draws comparisons to the likes of Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox and Mark Buerhle of the Miami Marlins, who have recorded 85 and 174 wins, respectively.

“He has excellent fastball command and a quality changeup,” he said.

It is said the Dodgers competed with the Rangers and Chicago Cubs for the right to speak to the Korean hurler.

The Dodgers want Ryu to boost a rotation that includes former Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw and former World Series MVP Josh Beckett as well as Chad Billingsley, Aaron Harang, Chris Capuano and Ted Lilly.

Four pitchers with Korean pro-league careers ― Lee Sang-hoon, Lim Chang-yong, Jin Phil-joong and Choi Hyang-nam ― have been posted for the Major League, but due to low bids, only Choi signed with the St. Louis Cardinals for $101 in 2009.

Bids of $600,000 and $650,000 were made for Lee and Lim respectively in 1998 and 2002, while Jin, who found no suitor in February 2002, received an offer of $25,000 10 months later, but they all refused.

Ryu joined the KBO with the Eagles in 2006 and made an immediate impact, becoming the first player to win both the MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season.

The pitcher, whose fastball is over 145 kilometers per hour, recorded double-digit victories in his first six seasons before settling for 9-9 this year with the league’s bottom club, but he led the league in strikeouts ― his career fifth title ― and finished fourth in ERAs with a 2.66.

He is 98-52 with a 2.80 ERA and 1,238 strikeouts to 383 walks in seven KBO seasons.

If Ryu and the Dodgers fail to agree a deal, he will remain with the Korean club and cannot participate in another posting process until next year.

The Dodgers, a six-time World Series champion, are better known as the club for which Park Chan-ho, Korea’s first export to MLB and Ryu’s teammate at the Eagles this past season, pitched for between 1994 and 2001 and again in 2008. In addition, right-hander Seo Jae-weong and slugging infielder Choi Hee-seop also played for the club.

The Dodgers, headed by manager Don Mattingly, finished second in the National League West division at 86-76, eight games behind the San Francisco Giants, the eventual World Series champions.

No. 1 pick Correa back at work in Puerto Rico

By Brian McTaggart / MLB.com | 11/09/12 1:10 PM ET
2012 MLB.com Top Prospects: Carlos Correa is an outstanding defensive shortstop and could be an above-average hitter with power

HOUSTON --

Coming off a whirlwind summer in which he was the top pick in the First-Year Player Draft, graduated from high school and made his professional baseball debut, Carlos Correa is back to work for the Astros.

Correa, who became the first Puerto Rican-born player to be drafted No. 1 overall in June, began playing Thursday for Carolina Gigantes of the Puerto Rican Winter League. Correa hadn't played since wrapping the season at Rookie League Greeneville at the end of September.

"I will start playing the first day and it all depends on how I develop and my body reacts," Correa said. "I hope I can play as much as I can."

Correa, 18, got off to a very slow start when he made his professional debut this year, but rallied to hit .232 with two homers, five stolen bases and nine RBIs in 39 games for the Gulf Coast League Astros. He finished the year with Greeneville of the Appalachian League and hit .371 in 11 games.

"My first season, for me, was great," he said. "There were a lot of experiences, a lot of adjustments I had to make, but it was still great. I started slow but ended up really well, and I want to keep it going."

Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow was able to sign Correa only three days after he was drafted. He signed for $4.2 million, which was substantially less than the $7.2 million signing bonus prescribed by Major League Baseball.

"I'm excited for him," Luhnow said of Correa's venture into winter ball. "I'm hoping to get over there and spend a few days watching."

The biggest challenge last season for Correa, MLB.com's No. 2 Astros prospect, was playing every day, something he didn't do growing up in Puerto Rico.

"If you get tired and stuff, you have to keep doing your best and giving your best all the time," he said.

It's yet to be determined where Correa will begin next season, but Luhnow hinted it wouldn't be at one of the team's full-season clubs. Correa could certainly wind up there by the end of the year, but he is perhaps headed for Tri-City of the New York-Penn League in 2013.

"I think one of the lessons we learned last year was where we put the prospects matters," Luhnow said. "Sometimes they aren't at the level they want to be at, but they're at the level that's right for their development at that time."

There was no better example, Luhnow said, than former first-round pick Delino DeShields Jr. repeating last season at Class A Lexington and putting up the kind of numbers that made him the team's Minor League Player of the Year.

DeShields, the No. 5 prospect in the Astros system, stole 101 bases in 135 games between Lexington and Class A Advanced Lancaster, an Astros Minor League record. He was the first player in the modern era to steal over 100 bases and hit 10 homers in a Minor League season.

Between Lexington and Lancaster, DeShields hit .287 with 12 homers and a .389 on-base percentage.

Correa hinted he could begin the year at Quad Cities -- which is replacing Lexington next year -- but Luhnow said that might be too aggressive.

"We'll put him at the level where he's going to have the best chance to learn the game the right way," he said. "We're not going to hold him back, but he might not be ready for a full season right out of Spring Training."

The Astros didn't decide on Correa until the final hour before the Draft, Luhnow said, having been swayed by the shortstop's May 27 workout at the club's complex in Kissimmee, Fla., during extended spring camp. Numerous Astros scouts had laid eyes on Correa, but Luhnow got to see him up close and got to know his parents.

Correa was the first shortstop taken No. 1 overall since 2008 (Tim Beckham, Rays), and is just the fourth shortstop taken first overall since 1994. Other notable players who were selected as shortstops with the first overall pick were Shawon Dunston by the Cubs (1982), B.J. Surhoff by the Brewers ('85), Chipper Jones by the Braves ('90), Alex Rodriguez by the Mariners ('93) and Justin Upton by the D-backs (2005).

The Oakland A’s sign Eric Mariñez

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

The Oakland Athletics have been known to be aggressive in Latin America. In 2008 they gave Michael Ynoa of the Dominican Republic the largest Latin American signing bonus in MLB History. At the time, 16 year old pitching prospect received a signing bonus of $4.25 Million.

In 2010 the Athletics signed Renato Nunez for $2.2 million, several international scouts called Nunez the top hitter available in the 2010 signing period out of Venezuela with the ability to hit for both average and power.

Surprisingly in 2012 the A’s landed Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes for four years and $36 million. It shocked the industry because these are the A’s and their highest-paid player was Coco Crisp at $6 million. The signing of Cespedes proved to be a great investment when you read the end of season stat line .292 avg with an OPS of .861, 23 HR , 82 RBI, 16 SB in 129 games his rookie year.

During the 2012 signing period they continued their aggressive approach in acquiring top talent. They signed 2 DPL prospects in Jhonny Rodriguez and Luis Barrera, both are left hand hitting outfielders that project to hit for average and power, both are limited in speed and arm strength and may end up at 1b or Left field. During the 2012 Dominican Prospect League season both prospects consistently showed their hitting ability and were selected to the DPL All-Star game and DPL Elite Travel Team.

Eric Mariñez born Sept 12, 1995 becomes the latest pick up for the Athletics; he’s 6’1″ 160lb from San Cristobal D.R. and trained with Academia Josue Mateo. The switch hitting short-stop is a line drive hitter with solid average arm strength and hands that project him to be a plus defender. Presently Mariñez lacks power and speed (7.4 60 yard) but physical maturity may help him enhance those tools in the future. Mariñez agreed to terms with the A’s for $95,000 and will more than likely start his pro career in the rookie level Dominican Summer League.

Congratulations to Josue Mateo, Oakland Athletics and the Mariñez family!

Profar drills walk-off homer for Tigres

Rangers prospect plays hero in third Dominican League game

11/11/12 11:16 PM ET
Jurickson Profar ropes a double and becomes the first Ranger to homer in his first Major League at-bat in his impressive debut

Dominican Winter League

Licey 5, Escogido 4

Rangers top prospect Jurickson Profar homered with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning as the Tigres handed the Leones their fifth striaght loss. Mets outfielder Jordany Valdespin went 2-for-2 with a a pair of walks and two runs scored for Licey, while Angels No. 5 prospect Kole Calhoun hit a two-run shot for Escogido.

Aguilas 8, Gigantes 6, 11 innings

Cardinals top prospect Oscar Taveras capped a three-RBI night with a two-run homer in the 11th inning as the Aguilas climbed into first place. Miguel Tejada contributed three hits and an RBI and scored twice for Cibaeñas, while Marlins No. 5 prospect Marcell Ozuna homered and drove in four runs for the Gigantes.

Toros 10, Estrellas 4

Indians prospect Jose Ramirez capped a three-RBI night with a two-run single during a seven-run seventh inning as the Toros rallied for their fourth straight win. Willis Otañez and Hector Gomez each drove in two runs for Este, while Nelson Perez (Cubs) and Juan Diaz (Indians) had two RBIs apiece for the Estrellas.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Ponce 7, Manati 3

Rangers farmhand Brandon Snyder went 3-for-3 with a pair of walks, a homer, two doubles and four RBIs to lead the Leones to their first win of the season. Royals No. 11 prospect Christian Colon chipped in two hits and scored a run for Ponce, while Zach Walters (Nationals) doubled, singled, drove in a run and scored twice. Mets prospect Juan Centeno slugged a two-run homer for Manati.

Caguas 4, Mayaguez 2

Red Sox prospect Jose De La Torre struck out three over 1 2/3 innings of perfect relief as the Criollos handed the Indios their first loss. Former Major Leaguer Jorge Padilla drilled a two-run homer for Caguas, while Irving Falu (Royals) doubled twice and scored a run in a losing effort.

Carolina at Santurce, postponed

Venezuelan Winter League

La Guaira 3, Lara 2

Alex Cabrera singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning capping the Tiburones' comeback against the Cardenales. Giants prospect Ehire Adrianza delivered an RBI triple and scored a run for La Guaira, which has won four in a row. Braves outfielder Jordan Parraz homered for Lara.

Caracas 5, Magallanes 4

Minor League veteran Josh Kroeger's two-run double in the eighth inning pushed the Leones past the first-place Navegantes, who had a four-game winning streak snapped. Carlos Rivero (Nationals) provided the rest of Caracas' offense with his sixth homer. Carlos Maldonado (Nationals) smacked a two-run shot, his seventh in his last 13 games, for Magallanes.

Aragua 3, Caribes 1

Astros farmhand Jose Martinez went 4-for-5 with an RBI double as the last-place Tigres shut down the Caribes. Former Marlins Minor Leaguer Jose Torres delivered a go-ahead single in the sixth inning for Aragua, while Marlins outfielder Gorkys Hernandez scored the lone run for Anzoategui.

Zulia 10, Margarita 3

Reds prospect Felix Perez went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks and two RBIs as the Aguilas snapped a four-game losing streak. Nationals catcher Sandy Leon drove in three runs and Jose Flores (Giants) contributed three hits, an RBI and a run scored for Zulia. The Bravos got three hits from Sean Burroughs and two hits and a run scored from Cubs outfielder Dave Sappelt.

Mexican Pacific League

Guasave 11, Los Mochis 5

Ivan Araujo homered, tripled and drove in seven runs as the Algodoñeros cruised past the Cañeros. Former big leaguer Andrew Sisco gave up one hit over six scoreless innings for Guasave, while Cardinals prospect Jermaine Curtis had a pair of RBIs for Los Mochis.

Mexicali 5, Culiacan 1

Former Major Leaguer Jorge Campillo allowed a run on two hits over seven innings as the Aguilas shut down the Tomateros for their third win in a row. Jon Weber had two hits, three RBIs and a run scored for Mexicali, while Cory Aldridge (Angels) doubled home the lone run for Culiacan.

Mazatlan 3, Hermosillo 1

Nick Additon, who spent most of the season with the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate, gave up a run on four hits over 7 2/3 innings as the last-place Venados avoided a third straight loss. Former Reds Minor Leaguer Humberto hit a go-ahead two-run single in the sixth for Mazatlan, while Braves prospect Todd Cunningham doubled and scored the Naranjeros' lone run.

Obregon 3, Navojoa 2, 13 innings

Doug Clark led off the bottom of the 13th inning with his ninth homer, giving the Yaquis their third straight victory. Fellow Major League veteran Alfredo Amezaga had three hits and scored a run for Obregon, while Kraig Binick reached base three times and scored a run for the Mayos, who have dropped four in a row.

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Dominican Winter League

•Juan Diaz: SS, Estrellas de Oriente: 2-for-4, 2 RBI: Diaz is slowly starting to come out of his winter league funk. While he went hitless in his last three games, he’s gone 6-for-19 over his last six games, with three multi-hit ballgames. Diaz can play, and he shouldn’t be overlooked in 2013 as a potential fill-in or utility player, should the Indians need one, but he’ll just be a bridge to Ronny Rodriguez/Tony Wolters/Francisco Lindor/Jose Ramirez.

•Jose Ramirez: SS, Toros del Este: 2-for-4, 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB: I don’t think there’s any question with regards to the legitimacy of Jose Ramirez as a prospect. He entered the Indians organization hitting, and has never stopped. His ten game hit streak was snapped on Saturday, so he made up for it on Sunday with two more hits. Overall, Ramirez is hitting 14-for-36 (.389), with two doubles, seven RBI, eight walks, two stolen bases, and only six K’s. He can play multiple infield positions, and the only question that remains is just how well does he compare to guys like Lindor and Paulino?

•Yan Gomes: C, Toros del Este: 0-for-3: Gomes hasn’t exactly taken off since the Indians have acquired him. Over his past seven games, he’s 2-for-21, with four runs, a homer and three RBI.

Roberto Clemente League (Puerto Rican Winter League)

•Rob Bryson: RP, Criollos de Caguas: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K: It is what it is with regards to Bryson. He’ll often have games in which he won’t give up runs, but those games are generally riddled with control issues. He’s now pitched in two games without given up a run, and has struck out three in two innings. He’s also walked five.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Gregorio Petit: SS, Leones del Caracas: 1-for-3, 1 R: Petit is 5-for-15, with three runs and three doubles over his last five games. While he’s playing better of late, he has a .205/.300/.295 slash line overall.

Australian Baseball League

•Andrew Campbell: LF, Brisbane Bandits: 2-for-3, 1 BB: Campbell recorded his first hits of the Australian League season, and his first multi-hit game. The 20-year-old made his first appearance in Mahoning this season, and struggled to a .167 average. Obviously, he’ll need to step up his game next season, or the Australian League will be his full-time gig.

By Jim Pete

Choo, Ryu included on WBC roster By Kang Seung-woo

Overseas players including Cleveland Indians’ Choo Shin-soo, Lee Dae-ho of Japan’s Orix Buffaloes and potential Los Angeles Dodger Ryu Hyun-jin headline the provisional roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC), Monday.

But it still remains to be seen if those players will join the squad due to club issues.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) has named 28 tentative players — 13 pitchers, two catchers, eight outfielders and five infielders — for the international tournament, scheduled for March next year. The deadline for the submission is Nov. 30.

Outfielder Choo had a solid 2012 season for the Indians, which finished second to last in the American League Central division, recording 16 homers and 67 RBIs with a batting average of .283.

The 30-year-old contributed to his country reaching the final of the 2009 WBC, blasting a three-run homer against Venezuela and also had a solo shot in the final against Japan.

Left-handed fastballer Ryu went 9-9 for the bottom-placed Hanwha Eagles this past season with a 2.66 ERA and also provided strong performances at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the 2009 WBC.

Amid high expectations for the two players at next year’s tournament, Choo said last month that he needs to discuss his participation with the Indians.

He added that the club recently hired Terry Francona as their new manager and he may want to keep him for the spring training, which conflicts with the WBC schedule.

On Saturday, the Dodgers posted a winning bid of $25.7 million to exclusively negotiate with Ryu and should he don Dodger blue, he is also likely to skip the competition to focus on his debut season in Major League Baseball (MLB).

“Depending on the participation of MLB players and possible injuries, the roster can be reshuffled, so I call the entry provisional, not final,” said team manager Ryu Joong-il, who led the Samsung Lions to the Korean Series champions for a second-straight season this year.

“In terms of pitching, whether Ryu will throw in the WBC really matters.”

There is a silver lining that slugging first baseman Lee can play for the Korean team, which finished third in the 2006 tournament and second in 2009.

Lee, 30, led the Pacific League in RBIs with 91, while posting 24 home runs and batting .286 in his first season in Japan.

Along with Lee, the Lions’ Lee Seung-yeop and the Eagles’ Kim Tae-kyun were selected as first basemen — the most star-studded position on the team — over regular-season MVP Park Byung-ho of the Nexen Heroes.

Others on the roster include Kia Tigers right-handed pitcher and last year’s KBO MVP Yoon Suk-min, Lions closer Oh Seung-hwan, the KBO’s all-time saves leader and Lotte Giants reliever Chong Tae-hyon, who nearly reached a deal with the Baltimore Orioles ahead of this past season.

Korea will begin its campaign in Group B with the Netherlands, Australia and an as yet undecided nation at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taiwan on March 2.

2012 Thunder Series: Tough Taiwanese effort in vain as Cubans win 1-0

by Paul Huang

November 11, 2012

Top picture: Lefty Lai, Hung Cheng, starter against Cuba and seconds before allowing Alfredo Despaigne's decisive solo homer in the bottom of the 4th inning. Despaigne was selected the MVP player of the game.

Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League All-Stars played the Cuban national team tough throughout Game 2 of the three-game Thunder Series in Taiwan before coming up short in a 1-0 final at the Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium last night.

Alfredo Despaigne’s solo blast off Taiwanese starter Lai Hong-cheng (Sinon Bulls) in the bottom of the fourth was the difference in the game as neither offense was able to produce any hits on a consistent basis against solid pitching from both teams. As such, it was another low-scoring affair following Saturday night’s 2-1 victory in favor of the Taiwanese.

The classic pitchers’ duel between Lai and Cuban starter Freddy Alvarez saw the Cubans enjoying the upper hand early on with at least a runner in scoring position against Lai over the two innings. However, the lefty pitched out of both jams to keep it a scoreless tie.

After a relatively calm third, the Cuban bats would come alive in the fourth with Despaigne’s long ball on a belt-high fastball from Lai that sailed over the centerfield wall. Even though the Taiwanese starter would get out of trouble without giving up another run in the inning despite serving up a double following the home run, the damage was already done.

The local boys also had trouble against the bend-but-would-not-break Cuban pitching as they failed to string together more than a hit in a single inning to lose this one by a run in the end.

Picking up the win was Alvarez, who scattered three hits over 6-1/3 shutout innings of play before turning the game over to his bullpen, which ably delivered by combining for 2-2/3 innings of scoreless relief to keep the shutout intact.

Taking the loss was Lai who held his ground well by surrendering a run on five hits while fanning six and walking two over five innings. Other than the home run ball to Despaigne that he served up, the southpaw out of the National Taiwan Sport University was rock solid in an effort that made his country proud.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Thunder Series - Cuba even up with 1-0 victory over CPBL Selects

By Jason Pan

Cuba even up the Thunder Series at one win each, with a tight 1-0 triumph over the CPBL (Chinese Professional Baseball League) Selects team at the Taoyuan International Stadium on Sunday.

It was a pitching duel most of the way between Cuban starter Freddy Alvarez and CPBL team starter Lai Hong-Cheng, the highly-touted Sinon Bulls rookie lefty.

Unlike the close affair in Game One (Chinese Taipei national squad edged Cuba 2-1), this time the Cuban players got the upper hand to prevail over the hosts by the barest 1-0 margin.

The difference in this contest was a solo dinger by outfielder Alfredo Despaigne, who took aim on a high fastball from Lai and sent it over the centerfield wall for a homer in the 4th inning.

Despaigne, Cuban National Series leaders in home run (35) and RBI (105) last season, said afterward he was not looking for a particular pitch with the 3-2 count, and just got a good swing on Lai's offering.

With the 1-0 lead, Cuba starter Alvarez held on through 6 scoreless innings, and combined with 6 pitchers who came in the game to preserve the shutout win.

Both side had chances to add more runs, but could not sustain a rally going through rest of the contest.

The Cuban pitching staff was impressive to keep CPBL Selects at bay, giving up only 6 hits, to go with 12 strikeouts and only one issued walks.

After Lai left in completing the 5th frame, CPBL used 3 more pitchers, as they allowed a total of 7 hits, 2 walks, and 7 strikeouts.

In the post-game interview, Cuban skipper Victor Mesa said his team's hitting and overall performance is still below par, however, "We are serious in facing against Taiwanese teams in these games. They have very good teams, and it is helpful for us to play the series here, to adjust and improve our playing level. So we can tune up for our best when going to play against Japan next week."

CPBL Selects team manager Terushi Nakashima (also head manager for the Uni-President Lions club) said, "It was a well-played game by both sides. Actually, we though Cuba might score many runs against us. Our starting pitcher Lai gave a fine performance tonight. If he can keep this up, I see Lai can have at least 10 wins next season."

Ezekiel ready for debut

The Magallanes Navigators expect to see the major leaguer in action Thursday

JOSÉ RUBICCO HUERTAS

Monday November 12, 2012 12:00 AM

Magallanes goes on. One of the additions to the roster of 34 players of the Navigators, this week, is the outfielder Ezequiel Carrera. Yesterday the player was active at the University Stadium, practicing his batting. The major leaguer of Cleveland said he was ready to help on Thursday in the game against the Caracas Lions. "I feel good, fit and ready to play in a few days. I worked before coming and hope to be in action the 15, but that will be a coaching decision ", said the 25 year older. The speedy outfielder said he recovered from a small right knee injury that affected him at the end of the season with the Indians, but now feels motivated to be with the Navigators team and that he will play to the end. "There is great atmosphere in the cave, positive energy," said Carrera, who hopes to play in the outfield right or left. "That's the idea," admitted the slugger, who participated in 48 games with Cleveland, where he had .272 average and 11 RBIs. His manager Carlos Garcia confirmed that Carrera was rostered, but will be used in the center. "He has to adapt to the needs of the team. "

Diosa Canales at University Stadium


Diosa Canales showed her photo on her Twitter account

The Venezuelan showgirl was present for the third game between the eternal rivals, Magallanes Navigators and Leones del Caracas, making the first pitch of the game.

The sexy Goddess of Venezuela continues to cause controversy, and in this professional baseball game at Estadio Universitario was presented with little clothes to the delight of her fans.

The Goddess made the first pitch of the game and in the seventh inning her show "Tanga Tanga".
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Lets hear it for Tanga Tanga!

TANGA TANGA DIOSA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNfUjOTlLag