Cleveland Sports Forum

Winter Ball Notebook: Ranking the top performers

By Steve Orbanek


February 1, 2013 ShareThis

The winter ball season is almost officially over for Cleveland Indians players after Navegantes del Magallanes clinched the Venezuelan Winter League Series with an 11-9 win over Cardenales de Lara on Wednesday.

The Caribbean Series is set to start today with Venezuela facing off against the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico facing Mexico.

Two Indians will be competing in the series, including Jose Ramirez (Dominican Republic) and Rob Bryson (Puerto Rico). Ezequiel Carrera (Venezuela) was expected to be playing in the series, but Navegantes del Magallanes decided to basically replace their entire roster, so he will not be part of the team.

While it will be very interesting to watch these three players in the coming days, it would be difficult to devote an entire notebook next week to just three players. So, alas, this will be the final Winter Ball Notebook.

However, have no fear. Next week, a brand new Spring Training Notebook will debut in its place.

Plus, since this is the last Winter Ball Notebook of the year, that means we must go out with a bang. Everybody loves a nice countdown, so that’s exactly whet we’re going to do.

A listing of the top Indians winter performers will follow. All Indians players that competed in either the Arizona Fall League, Dominican Winter League, Venezuelan Winter League, Puerto Rican Winter League or Australian Baseball League are eligible.

So, without further ado, here is my listing of the top ten Indians performers in winter ball this season. Key statistics will be listed next to each player.

Disclaimer: THIS IS NOT A RANKING OF PROSPECTS. A player’s prospect status did not factor into the listing. The three primary pieces of information used when judging a player were: games played, overall statistics and team performance (how much did a player’s performance benefit the overall team).

Barely Missed the Cut

Edward Paredes (Aguilas Cibaenas): His ERA of 1.31 in 39 games and 20 2/3 innings is nice, but he loses points for the fact that he walked more batters (13) than he struck out (11).

Alex Monsalve (Scottsdale Scorpions): It’s hard not to love his line of .340/.360/.447, but it came in only 13 AFL games, which ultimately hurt his chances at making this list.

Asdrubal Cabrera (Leones del Caracas): He started out very hot, but he slowed down significantly toward the end of his season with his average sitting at .267 in 26 games. That number should definitely be higher in the VWL for a Major League hitter of his caliber.

Matt Langwell (Gigantes de Carolina): Langwell was great all year as evidenced by his sparkling 1.13 ERA, but he unfortunately only appeared in 13 games, which was just not enough to warrant inclusion on this list.

Giovanni Soto (Gigantes de Carolina): See Matt Langwell.

Eric Berger (Bravos de Margarita): Berger had a nice ERA of 3.00, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. He allowed 24 unearned runs as opposed to just 15 earned runs. It can be argued those runs aren’t his fault, but sometimes a pitcher has to be the one to pick his defense up.

The Top 10 Indians Performers in Winter Ball

10. Andrew Campbell (Brisbane Bandits): 42 G, .275/.355/.758, 4 HR, 12 RBI. Campbell really had a strong season in the ABL this winter and was really one of the most consistent Indians performers. He played basically every day and was one of the prime reasons as to why Brisbane almost made the postseason. The key for Campbell is to now translate that success over stateside. You would like to believe he could make the transition because this was one of the few instances that he had consistent playing time in his professional career. Although he did also have success last season in limited playing time the ABL, which did not translate to professional success stateside, so it’s hard to really draw any conclusions here.

9. Juan Diaz (Estrellas de Oriente): 44 G, .244/.272/.351, 2 HR, 14 RBI. Diaz’s numbers may not be pretty at first glance, but there is more than meets the eye here. While he will never be an offensive juggernaut, he is still an outstanding fielder that remained true this winter. Diaz provided quality shortstop play nearly every day for Estrellas de Oriente. For his efforts, he received the Gold Glove award at shortstop in the DWL. As we all know, shortstop is one of the most difficult positions to field, and Diaz continues to excel in that area. For that, he’s more than deserving of a spot on this list.

8. Paolo Espino (Caribes de Anzoategui): 1-2, 11 G, 11 GS, 3.96 ERA, 52.1 IP, 12 HR, 16 BB, 48 K. Make no mistake about it, Espino’s performance was not perfect. In fact, it’s hard to believe that he allowed 12 home runs in just over 50 innings of work. Outside of the home runs though, Espino was a very consistent performer. His innings total led all Indians pitchers in winter ball, and he also had some key starts down the stretch for Caribes de Anzoategui in VWL round-robin play. Espino has been a consistent performer in the minor leagues throughout his career, so hopefully this strong winter season carries over to spring.

7. Joseph Colon (Cangrejeros de Santurce): 2-4, 9 G, 8 GS, 3.46 ERA, 39 IP, 17 BB, 31 K. Colon had a fine season at Single-A Lake County in 2012, and he also built off that with a very solid showing in the PWL. Outside of the walks, Colon went out and consistently gave his team a chance to win. Unfortunately, the team often couldn’t come through for Colon, which is evidenced by the win-loss record. However, the poor record should not be a reason to exclude from this list as his overall performance makes him a worthy candidate.

6. Rob Bryson (Criollos de Caguas): 0-1, 0.00 ERA, 21 G, 20 IP, 11 BB, 23 K. Bryson’s placement on this list is hurt by the fact that he is a reliever and pitched only 20 innings this winter, but it’s still hard to argue with a perfect ERA. His team is also competing in the Caribbean Series, which further helps his argument. Bryson did allow one unearned run, and there were occasions where he entered a game and allowed inherited runners to score. However, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives, which is why Bryson has a spot on this list.

5. Chris McGuiness (Surprise Saguaros): 25 G, .283/.370/.467, 4 HR, 27 RBI. If McGuiness had played in more games, he definitely would have been higher on this list. The first baseman dominated the AFL this past fall and was named League MVP for his efforts. Let’s hope his strong performance carries over into spring training because it appears as if he’ll have every opportunity to win the Indians Opening Day designated hitter spot.

4. Jesus Aguilar (Leones del Caracas): 29 G, .279/.340/.581, 6 HR, 17 RBI. It’s amazing how quickly things change. Aguilar got off to a horrid start as he was hitting just .205 with an OPS of .706 through Nov. 22. Yet, just two days later, Aguilar went 3-for-4 in a contest with two doubles and a home run, and the rest is history. Of his 24 base hits, 14 were either a double or a home run. His six home runs led all Indians this winter, and it’s easy to see why so many fans are excited over what the future may hold for the big first baseman.

3. Ezequiel Carrera (Navegantes del Magallanes): 53 G, .272/.354/.354, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 16 SB. At 53 games. Carrera is tied for the most games played by any Indian this winter. Carrera was a key cog for Navegantes del Magallanes’ playoff push as he provided some nice offense toward the bottom of their lineup, and his speed on the bases was also quite valuable. It's actually unfortunate that Carrera will not be a part of the Caribbean Series. He's worked exceptionally hard for Navegantes del Magallanes, and it seems as if he should get a chance to help the team clinch a series win.

2. Luis Hernandez (Tigres de Aragua): 27 G, .375/.394/.481, 11 2B, 13 RBI. Hernandez was signed to a minor league deal as organizational depth back in November. We all know what organizational depth means, but Hernandez may be different as he could be quality organizational depth. The switch-hitter led the Indians in batting average this winter by a comfortable margin. Just how good was Hernandez? Well, in 27 games played, he only failed to record a hit on five occasions. He also recorded 14 multi-hit games. Had he played in more games, he could have really competed for the top spot, but then again, he would have been facing some pretty stiff competition…

1. Jose Ramirez (Toros del Este): 53 G, .315/.384/.379, 26 RBI, 13 SB. Was there ever any doubt? Ramirez did it all this winter. He led Indians players in games played at 53, and he also served as one of the primary reasons as to why Toros del Este advanced to DWL round-robin playoffs. While he gets the most credit for his offense, his defense was pretty darn good too, which is evidenced by the fact that he was named the second base Gold Glove winner in the DWL. The rise that Ramirez has made has been remarkable. We are literally witnessing a player go from an organizational unknown to a legitimate Major League prospect. Also, let’s remember that he just turned 20-years-old in September. Think about what’s he done this year and then imagine what he is going to do in the future. This could be a special player.

Francisco Peña (helmet) is congratulated by his teammates after hitting a 2 run homer in the 5th inning against Venezuela. (AP)

Dominicans defeat Venezuela 7-2 in first game of the Caribbean Series

02/01/2013 09:14 PM - Ivan Feliz

The Dominican Republic team represented by the Escogido Leones defeated the Magallanes Navigators of Venezuela 7 runs to 2 in the first game of the Caribbean Series held at Estadio Sonora in Hermosillo, Mexico.

The Dominican assembly starting pitcher Angel Castro worked 7 innings with 89 pitches, allowed three hits and one run, a homer in the first inning of the first Venezuelan hitter Hector Corona.

The Dominican receiver Francisco Peña turned the score around by dispatching a 2 run homer in the fifth inning that started a rally of 4 runs, one batted in by Ricardo Nanita with one hit and another on a sacrifice fly by Miguel Tejada.

The last two runs were on a singles by Donell Linares and Nanita in the 7th inning.

The Dominican Republic won their first game in their quest for a repeat of last year's championship. They are slight favorites to win in 2013. Jose Ramirez batted second in the lineup as he did for almost every game this winter and had 2 official trips to the plate. He walked twice, fanned once, and had a stolen base.

One of those walks came in the decisive 5th inning. Francisco Pena cracked a 2-run homer. With one out, Jose Ramirez and Hanley Ramirez walked. Ricardo Nanita singled and Jose Ramirez scored. Miguel Tejada's sacrifice fly got Hanley Ramirez home.

Jose only had 1 opportunity on defense and threw out the batter at first.

Ramirez showed no fear or intimidation. He just went out there and did his job. He's been an exciting player to watch this winter as he continues to show his constistency.

Anybody with an invitation to Major League camp should be on their way to Arizona. Leave the beer leagues "playoffs"to scrubs and "replacement" players.

Spring training is boring Seagull. These guys are getting their work in and then some. Game speed stuff. Why go through the motions when you can have the real deal? Except for a handful of players, the team has already been determined anyway.

Series del Caribe Opening Ceremony

Hermosillo, Son. February 1, 2013 (LMP.mx / Alpha Communication) -

The brand new stage, a party with musical-cultural color as part of a festive atmosphere, with emotion and passion as well as the brotherhood to which convenes sport. Thus was developed the opening ceremony of the 2010 Caribbean Series.

Again, marked the civic protocol but without the strict sense of formalism.

Dance groups appeared on the shiny, emerald green cloth on which the curtain will fall when only two of the four contenders vie for the championship.

The field displayed the festive music, the emotional and modernity that identifies this Sonoran region. With the simplicity that exalts those in this city, in this country, the signal of the multicolor party that welcomed all the visitors.

The respective national anthems were sung after presenting the four teams in contention all together to form that picture that characterizes competition in which the visitor takes home the memory of what lived full on.
The ceremony celebrated the arrival of the Escogido Leones, the Criollos of Caguas, the Magallanes Navigantes, and the exaltation of the majority, a cry full of joy, for local monarchs, Yaquis de Ciudad Obregon.

The event was celebrated in front of a "full house", with about 16 thousand spectators revealing to witness the fervor of a Caribbean Series that just started this Friday and that within six days will let one know the whole story beyond just a winner.
In the sky watching over the desert, minutes before game time the military aircraft that never fails to amaze, releasing colored smoke clearly visible from the steps of the nascent sports property.

On the first day, Dominican Leones had defeated Venezuela Navigators, a prelude to what would be minutes later, the match between Puerto Rico and Mexico, highly anticipated by the fans from home.

And at the end of the ceremony, the Fireworks that lit up the brand new stadium located in the desert, the royal ball park comes to life getting the baseball fraternity to "Play Ball".

New park shines as Caribbean Series opens in Mexico

Hermosillo's Estadio Sonora completes 13-month journey to prepare for event

2/2/2013 1:37 A.M. ET[/b]

HERMOSILLO, Mexico --


Down a narrow strip that winds through about a mile of abandoned turf in this baseball-crazed city, the bright lights of a brand new stadium appear in the distance. It almost feels like a mirage at first, given the nothingness of the area that surrounds it.

But it's very real.

"And, like that line in 'Bruce Almighty,' It's b-e-a-utiful!" said Vicente Sagrestano, director of the sports commission for the state of Sonora and the overseer of this project. "I'm just so happy we have something like this now."

The just-finished Estadio Sonora, a $31 million investment by the local government, is strategically located in the center of a still-developing complex in the western part of Hermosillo, with a design inspired by the nearby Pinacate volcano. It makes up about 10 acres, seats 16,000 people and can basically rival any Cactus League ballpark of neighboring Arizona.

This winter, it'll host the Mexican Pacific League's Hermosillo Naranjeros. And on Friday, it marked its grand opening with the start of the Caribbean Series, highlighted by a ceremonial first pitch by former Dodgers great and Mexican legend Fernando Valenzuela.

In northwest Mexico, where baseball is king and soccer is a distant second, the site of a plush new ballpark is not only welcoming, but quite unusual, with none of the other seven Mexican Winter League teams having built a new stadium since the 1970s.

"It's going to have a huge impact, especially having the Caribbean Series over here, having all the other teams with the Major Leaguers playing in it, and all the other kids have a lot of idols from the other teams in Mexico," said former Major League outfielder Karim Garcia, who played for the Naranjeros at the old ballpark for five years and is in the Caribbean Series with Mexico's Criollos de Caguas. "I have to believe it's going to inspire a lot of kids to be baseball players."

The reigning champs, Dominican Republic's Leones del Escogido, christened the annual event with a 7-2 win over Venezuela's Navegantes de Magallanes. A few hours later -- after a riveting opening ceremony of lights, dancers and flyovers -- Mexico provided the perfect bookend to the ballpark's debut, beating Puerto Rico's Criollos de Caguas, 3-0, behind six shutout innings by Royals righty Luis Mendoza.

The fact that it was even ready in time for this is an act of triumph.

By the time Hermosillo got the approval to host the Caribbean Series, drummed up the interest to build a new stadium, finalized all the paperwork and received financing, it was November 2011, and they had 13 months to get it done.

At that point, D-backs president Derrick Hall, whose club has played several exhibition games at the old Hector Espino Baseball Stadium, open since 1972, said, "That's great, but you're not going to make it."

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, the 11,000-capacity ballpark that was very much an inspiration for this one, took nearly 15 months. And Hall figured there was no way this one could get finished, while meeting all of Major League Baseball's regulations, in time to host the first Caribbean Series in this city since 1997.

But somehow, despite several hiccups, it did.

More than 850 workers got involved in the project. Over the last two months, when chances seemed slimmest, they labored 24/7. And as of Thursday night, as the Mexican team was practicing, finishing touches were still being applied.

It was a buzzer-beating finish.

"Let's just put it this way: A couple months ago, it was looking pretty rough," said MLB field and facilities coordinator Murray Cook, who oversaw every step of the project. "We had our doubts, but I've done enough work in the Caribbean and Mexico and different countries to know that when the chips are down, everybody pulls out all their tools and starts working 24-hour shifts and things start getting done at the last minute."

This weekend, Sagrestano and his crew will coordinate with D-backs officials about playing Spring Training games at the new venue, which can reach a capacity of 20,000 with bleachers in center field. In March, they'd like the facility to host one of Team Mexico's exhibition games leading up to the World Baseball Classic, possibly against the Dodgers. And at some point, they'd like to host a round in the Classic; perhaps even a Major League Opening Day.

Sagrestano estimates that the Series could bring between $20-30 million in tax revenue (or nearly 400 million pesos) to the state of Sonora. The night before Day 1, he reported that all games were sold out and 98 percent of hotel rooms in Hermosillo had been booked.

In other words, Hermosillo's hotel industry will match its totals for a full year with the seven-day tournament.

"I see a lot of aspects to this stadium," Sagrestano said in Spanish. "I see an inspirational aspect, I see an iconic aspect, a sense of belonging, of importance. I imagine a kid who doesn't have the means of going to Dodger Stadium, and can sit there with his dad and see Hanley Ramirez, or Kung Fu Panda, and say, 'I can play in a place like this one day.'"

HERMOSILLO, Mexico --

The 2013 version of the Caribbean Series guarantees drama, because for the first time since the tournament was revived in 1970, an actual championship game will take place.

Previously, the Caribbean Series was played strictly in double round-robin format, giving the crown to the club that finished with the best record after six days. That has led to some anti-climactic finales at the four-nation tourney.

Like last year, when the Leones del Escogido -- which returns as the Dominican Republic representative -- clinched the title on the second-to-last day after winning its first four games, then lost the last two games, which didn't matter.

This year, a new format has extended the Series an extra day, with a championship game pinning the teams with the two best records taking place on Thursday.

"It's perfect," said Escogido infielder Miguel Tejada, who signed a Minor League deal with the Royals this offseason. "I like the competition, and I think [the new format] is good for every country."

Puerto Rico lost to Mexico in the second game of the Caribbean Series

The activity resumes this Saturday with Puerto Rico facining Dominica.

Hermosillo, Mexico. -

The Yaquis of Mexico blanked 3-0 the Criollos of Puerto Rico in the game that closed the opening day of the Caribbean Series in Sonora Stadium.

It was a game in which the pitching dominated.

Despite the score, pitchers of Puerto Rico did not look bad, only only failed due to the untimely hitting with runners in scoring position. Ultimately, the tribe could connect six hits, including two doubles, in the entire game.

The team from Mexico made his first dent in Villa shipments in the third inning. The Dominican opened the inning with a base on balls to Agustin Murillo. He then struck Chris Roberson and Almézaga Alfredo, singled down the foul line in left scoring the first run of the Yaquis for 1-0 lead. Villa got the next two outs.

Johnny Monell doubled opening the fifth inning that seemed to give life to the game for Puerto Rico, but never came a timely.

With the fans screaming, the Yaquis also rallied in the sixth after the veteran Karim Garcia opened the inning with a single over the third baseman Andy Gonzalez to left. That was it for Villa, who left the game with three hits, allowed two earned runs, gave up three walks and struck out five batters in five innings for the Creoles.

Villa was replaced by Eddy "The Kid" Ramos. Pinch hitter Jesse Gutierrez was struck by a pitch.

Marlon Bird hit a two-run double that brought the final score in favor of the Yaquis 3-0.

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Pride of a nation: Hanley enjoys time playing for DR

Hanley enjoying time playing for Dominican Republic

Dodgers infielder putting in extra work this winter, though not at shortstop

HERMOSILLO, Mexico --

Hanley Ramirez was all smiles Saturday. His Dominican team, the reigning champion Leones del Escogido, had just moved to 2-0 in this Caribbean Series with a 6-2 win over Puerto Rico, and the heralded infielder was sharing laughs with coaches, engaging with fans and even yucking it up with the Spanish press here at Estadio Sonora.

About 750 miles northwest, though, a Dodgers front office grows uneasy as its prized asset continues to play games outside the U.S. and away from shortstop.

Ramirez, naturally oblivious, seemingly feels none of that.

Only national pride.

"It's all about representing the Dominican Republic," he said in Spanish. "I give everything for my country. You see a lot of players here in Mexico do the same. That's a beautiful thing, when you sport your flag and your country across your chest."

Coming off a season that began with a move to third base with the Marlins and ended with a return to shortstop in Los Angeles, Ramirez's national pride has been unquestioned, suiting up for his native Dominican Republic in winter ball, the Caribbean Series and, next month, the World Baseball Classic.

So, heading into the 2013 campaign -- when he looks to improve on last year's uncharacteristic .257/.322/.437 slash line -- Ramirez will have a lot of game action under his belt. Problem is, very little of it will come at shortstop -- a position he's struggled at the last few years and one the Dodgers expect him to play in 2013.

A minor shoulder injury relegated Ramirez to designated-hitter duties in winter ball, and in this seven-day tournament, with Miguel Tejada the starting shortstop and Julio Lugo a suitable backup, he'll mostly stay there. He probably won't get any time at shorstop during the Classic, either. Not with Jose Reyes and Erick Aybar on the team.

And that event could keep Ramirez out of Dodgers camp from late February to mid-March.

"It's really hard to say, 'Don't play for your country,'" Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said at a charity event this offseason. "I'm kind of torn. Selfishly, I'd like Hanley to be in camp playing short every day."

But Escogido manager Audo Vicente, who has a long-standing relationship with Ramirez, stresses the three-time All-Star will be fine at shortstop because of his athleticism and his familiarity with the position. In fact, Vicente plans to give him a rare start there on Sunday, when his squad takes on Mexico -- now 1-1 after a 4-3 walk-off loss to Venezuela on Saturday -- in a game that will air on ESPN2 at 5 p.m. MT.

While watching Ramirez in this setting, Vicente sees a player who's motivated to return to prominence.

"He knows the expectations he's going to face," Vicente said in Spanish. "He's a player who has established himself in the big leagues, but he wants to keep putting up good numbers. He wants to keep having success in the big leagues, and that's why he's preparing so hard in the offseason and playing in the Classic and here in the Caribbean Series.

"I feel like he's going to have a really good season this year, based on how I've seen him work."

Will playing so much in the winter and spring cause Ramirez to tire out or perhaps break down, as Major League Baseball's long regular season ensues? Or will it provide the kind of repetition that can lead to a bounce-back year?

That remains to be seen, but Lugo believes these games are about more than just national pride for Ramirez.

"I think he understands that he needs to play," Lugo said. "He's been hurt. And the only way you can stay in baseball shape is by playing. I give him credit, because it's not easy to play in winter ball, play all these games, and then think about playing all those games in the regular season."

The Dodgers will be stacked this regular season. They have Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford in their lineup, Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke in their rotation, and more than $210 million tied to their payroll.

"The front office has put together an incredible team," Ramirez said. "They've put together the best team in the game. Now we have to get the job done on the field."

And to do that, they'll need a healthy, productive and defensively adept Ramirez.

#15 is Jose Ramirez

Escogido Defeats Caguas

Hermosillo, Son. February 2, 2013 (LMP.mx / Alpha Communication) -

True to their lineage, the Dominican Leones Escogido rallyed again behind Donell Linares' three-run homer in the eighth inning that sealed the victory of 6 runs to 2 over the Caguas Criollos of Puerto Rico.

This was the second win for the Dominican squad in the 2013 Caribbean Series and will face the host team Yaquis de Ciudad Obregon on Sunday.

For their part, Puerto Rico have to wait until Sunday to win its first game in the series when they play the Magallanes Navigators of Venezuela.
Prior to the attack, in the seventh, a wild pitch from Jose de la Torre (0-1) allowed Jordany Valdespin to score the tie-breaking run they had achieved in the sixth inning when Jose Ramirez walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, to third on a ground by Hanley Ramirez, and a double by Ricardo Nanita.

For Dominicans, Edward Valdez had looked very good in the first four innings, crippling Caguas on only one hit until the fifth.
It all started with an Aaron Bates double followed by a two run homer by Johnny Monell that allowed Caguas to take a 2 to 1 advantage.

In that inning Daniel Ortiz would also double, but Ramon Garcia hit into a double play the quelled the rally.

Valdez left the game giving up the two runs and four hits in four innings two thirds innings. He walked one and struck out two.

The Dominican squad tied the game in the top of the sixth at 2, using a doublet by Ricardo Nanita, who drovehome Jose Ramirez who reached base on a walk.

The big blow of the evening came off the pitches of Rob Bryson who previously had given up walks to Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Tejada, and then been shaken with the big hit around to by Donell Linares.

Giancarlo Alvarado opened for Caguas and pitched five innings. He gave up four hits, walked three and struck out one.

The winning pitcher was Jailen Peguero (1-0), in relief with an input of one and one third innngs, with three strikeouts. The major leaguer Fernando Rodney entered the ninth to preserve the win.

DOM: Valdez, Garcia (5), Peguero (6), Rodriguez (8), Fernando Rodney (9)

PR: Alvarado, McCurry (6), De la Torre (6), Bryson (8), Espinosa ( 8), Nieves (9) with Rosario.

PG: Jailen Peguero (1-0)

PD: Jose de la Torre (0-1)

HOME RUNS

DOM: Donell Linares (1)

PR: Johnny Monell (1)

In that Dominican win over Puerto Rico, Jose Ramirez had three official trips to the plate and was hitless. He did walk two more times, scored another run, and had three chances at secondbase and handled the plays routinely. Jose was the lead on the 4-6-3 doubleplay that ended the Caguas rally in the fifth.

In two games, Ramirez is 0-5 with 4 walks, 2 runs scored, 1 stolen base, and 5 flawless chances on defense.

On 2 of those 5 occasions, Jose hit the ball well but unfortunately they were all directed at the defense. Ramirez showed some power in his second at bat in the fourth lining 2 straight pitches off the wall in right. Both were just to the right of the foul pole. Both with homerun distance before flying out to Luis Mateo at shortstop.

Venezuela Defeated Mexico For Their First Win.

Hermosillo, Son. February 2, 2013 (PML / Alpha Communication) -

The beauty of baseball and what it offers. A Mario Lisson walk off basehit in the bottom of the 9th inning drove home Jose Castillo with the winning run over host team Obregon Yaquis of Mexico.

With the result, the Escogido Lions from the Dominican enter Sunday as the solitary leaders in the series, followed by Navigators and Yaquis tied with 1 win each and the Caguas Criollos of Puerto Rico without success.

The win was unexpected with the score tied at 3 runs each, the defeated Mike Benacka (0-1) got the first two outs without problem, but Jose Castillo walked with two outs and advanced to second on a wild pitch, he intentionally walked Joe Thurston to get to Lisson whose basehit to center sealed the final score 4-3.
Mario Lisson also homered in the 8th when Venezuela came back with a pair of runs to tie the ballgame.

Mexico's Rodrigo Lopez left the game after six superb innings only two hits, one run homer, one walk and two strikeouts on 77 pitches.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan starter Ramon Ramirez left after six innngs with no decision on five hits, three runs, a walk and five strikeouts.
The winning pitcher was Gabriel Garcia (1-0) who relieved in the top of the 9th and retired the 2 batters that he faced.

MEX: R Lopez Cobos (7), Villarreal (8), Ramirez (8), Benacka (9)

VEN: Ramirez, Cubillan (7), Alfaro (8), Hernandez (8), Tabata (9) Garcia (9)

PG: Gabriel Garcia (1-0)

PD: Mike Benacka (0-1)

HOME RUNS

VEN: Robert Perez (1), Mario Lisson (1)

Series giving Mendoza head start on competition

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com | 02/02/2013 8:42 PM ET

HERMOSILLO, Mexico --

In hopes of cracking the final spot of a revamped Royals rotation, or at the very least ensuring that he sticks in the big leagues, Mexico's Luis Mendoza is getting a nice head start.

Mendoza is here with the Yaquis de Obregon, champions of the Mexican Pacific League and participants in a Caribbean Series that's being played at the brand-new Estadio Sonora. In his team's first game on Friday, Mendoza hurled six scoreless innings of three-hit ball, striking out three and walking two in Mexico's 3-0 win over Puerto Rico's Criollos de Caguas.

Mendoza, like so many others, is here to do what he can for his country.

But the 29-year-old right-hander is also here to fine-tune -- specifically his changeup -- in hopes of securing a spot in a much-improved staff that includes James Shields, Ervin Santana, Jeremy Guthrie, Wade Davis, Bruce Chen, Luke Hochevar and Will Smith.

"Spring Training is always a battle," said Mendoza, who's out of options. "Nobody has a solidified spot except Shields and the first two or three starters. But I'm very happy with the team right now. I feel like we're going to compete more this year with a stronger group, and I'm happy to be with a team that's competing. I'll do what they ask, either long relief or starting."

Mendoza was Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year in 2011, then got his most Major League action in '12, going 8-10 with a 4.23 ERA in 30 games (25 starts).

"For me," Mendoza said, "the most important thing is to be in the Major Leagues and establish myself."

A native of Veracruz -- on the southeast portion of the country, about 1,500 miles from the Caribbean Series -- Mendoza also plans to suit up for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Major League clubs are often hesitant to send their pitchers to these events, specifically a Caribbean Series that takes place so close to the start of Spring Training.

But Mendoza sees this as a way to get a leg up.

"It's part of the preparation, and you have to take care of yourself," Mendoza said. "We know that we didn't come to party like people think about with the Caribbean Series, or to relax. It's to come and keep working.

"Like Kansas City said when I talked to them -- 'Take care of yourself. We support you completely, but you know your body and you know your limits.'"


HERMOSILLO, Mexico --

Figueroa denied chance to pitch in Caribbean Series

Nelson Figueroa is a man with little to do these days.

The 38-year-old right-hander, signed to a Minor League deal by the D-backs this offseason, helped pitch the Dominican Republic's Leones del Escogido to the Caribbean Series. But Figueroa, a Brooklyn native of Puerto Rican descent, has been blocked by the Puerto Rico Baseball League from playing in the Caribbean Series, which pits the winter league champions from the Dominican, Mexico, Venezuela and Puerto Rico in a seven-day tournament.

So here, at Estadio Sonora, Figueroa is more a fan than an active pitcher trying to help Escogido win its third Caribbean Series title in four years.

And he isn't happy about it.

"That hurts," Figueroa said in Spanish. "It hurts a lot for everyone who's here, playing the whole regular season, playoffs and championship series just to get to this moment, to play or pitch in the Caribbean Series. For us even more, because we have a championship to defend from last year, and for this team that has supported me so much the last four years."

Figueroa has played in the winter leagues of all four nations, representing Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Dominican in past Caribbean Series. Last year, he pitched for the Leones in winter ball, then for Puerto Rico's Indios de Mayaguez in the Series. And next month, he plans on suiting up for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

Figueroa was on loan by the Puerto Rican League to pitch for the Dominican winter ball squad, but apparently that did not extend to the Caribbean Series. The veteran pitcher, who has compiled a 4.55 ERA in nine Major League seasons, didn't find out about it until the start of the tournament. And everybody -- his teammates, coaches and general manager Moises Alou -- was taken by surprise.

Figueroa maintains that he never signed anything that would disallow him from playing in the prestigious Series, and he's threatening to take legal action.

"We have a crown to defend here," Figueroa said.

His anger, at least, is somewhat tempered by the prospect of being in D-backs camp this spring, one year after going 12-5 with a 3.89 ERA in 25 games (15 starts) for the Yankees' and Red Sox's Triple-A affiliates.

"I have a chance to return with my first Major League team," Figueroa said. "I still live there, in Arizona."

HERMOSILLO, Mexico --

Valenzuela set for Caribbean Hall of Fame induction

Fernando Valenzuela's no-brainer induction to the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame will take place Sunday, at 10 a.m. MT at the University of Sonora's Arts Center.

Valenzuela -- a six-time All-Star with the Dodgers, who won the National League's Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards while en route to a World Series title in 1981 -- will be joined by ex-manager Tommy Lasorda, Dodgers vice president Lon Rosen and broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, now Valenzuela's partner in the booth.

Caribbean Baseball Federation president Juan Herrera will make a speech and present Valenzuela with his Hall of Fame plaque, officially placing him in a group that includes Tony Perez, Rod Carew, Willie Mays, Dave Concepcion, Edgar Martinez and Roberto Alomar. Also being inducted Sunday are ex-players Houston Jimenez and Ever Magallanes, along with former Mexican Pacific League presidents Renato Vega and Dr. Arturo Leon Lerma.

Valenzuela's last season in the Majors came in 1997, but he continued to suit up for his home country in the Mexican Pacific League until 2006 -- at age 46 -- and pitched in three Caribbean Series (1982, '93 and '01).

On Friday, Valenzuela kicked off the 55th Caribbean Series and helped christen a brand-new ballpark in Sonora by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

"It looks like a very comfortable stadium for the fans," Valenzuela said while hounded by the Spanish press. "It's a stadium designed for baseball, and I think the people here will enjoy it."