Cleveland Sports Forum

Shaw caps Saguaros' comeback with grand slam

After six-run deficit, Surprise battles back to top Rafters

By Teddy Cahill / MLB.com | 10/30/2013 9:06 P.M. ET

With the bases loaded and the count in his favor Wednesday, first baseman Travis Shaw knew he was probably going to get a fastball. So, with two outs in the seventh inning and the Saguaros trailing by two runs, he got ready to be challenged.

Shaw got his 2-0 fastball from Rafters left-hander Henry Garcia and he didn't miss it, driving a grand slam to right field to give the Saguaros their first lead of the game. Surprise went on to defeat Salt River, 12-6, at Surprise Stadium. The loss snapped Salt River's five-game winning streak.

Garcia had come into the game two batters before Shaw came to the plate. He had already given up a single and a walk. After failing to get ahead of Shaw with a first-pitch curveball, Shaw was able to eliminate his offspeed pitches.

"He didn't really have any other choice but to throw a fastball in that situation," Shaw said. "I was sitting dead red."

Shaw finished the game 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. The Red Sox prospect is hitting .308 with four home runs in 10 games this fall. His .692 slugging percentage ranks second in the league, behind only Kris Bryant.

Shaw is coming off a disappointing season at Double-A Portland. He hit .221 with 16 home runs in 127 games. He said he is using the AFL to work on becoming more consistent.

"It was a little bit of a down year for me, so coming out here was a fresh start," Shaw said. "So far, it's been a pretty good Fall League and hopefully that'll continue the rest of the time here."

Shaw's grand slam was the final piece of the Saguaros comeback Wednesday. They were shut out for the first five innings by Rafters' starter Sam Gaviglio and fell into a 6-0 hole. But with Gaviglio out of the game, the Saguaros scored 12 runs over the next three innings to blow the game open.

Center fielder Tyler Naquin, the Indians' No. 5 prospect, went 2-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored and a walk. Third baseman Ryan Rua added a two-run home run.

The Saguaros have the league's highest-scoring offense and, as a result, Shaw said they never feel like they're out of a game.

"Our offense has been incredible this year," Shaw said. "It was the tale of two halves today. Their starter kept us off balance. But we feel like we're in every game no matter what the score is. Today just another example of how we never quit."

Salt River took an early lead on starter Will Lamb. The Rafters scored five runs against the left-hander, who lasted just 2 2/3 innings. Shortstop Cristhian Adames struck the big blow off Lamb with a two-run triple in the third inning.

Adames, the Rockies No. 15 prospect, finished 1-for-3 with a run and a walk. Left fielder Andy Burns went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs.

The game included players from both the Cardinals and the Red Sox and ended in time for them to find a TV before the start of Game 6 of the World Series.

Shaw has watched all of the World Series games and is enjoying watching some of his former Portland teammates, such as Xander Bogaerts and Brandon Workman, play pivotal roles. He said their success has reminded him he isn't far from the Major Leagues either.

"It shows how close you really are to achieving the ultimate goal," Shaw said. "I've played with those two for the last two years now. Now that they've made it up there, it's becoming more of a reality for me. Hopefully, in the next year or two, that'll be me on the TV."

Big night for the Margarita Bravos' Eric Berger. Six innings of 2-hit, shutout baseball over the league leading Magallanes Navigantes. He struck out 4 and walked only1. ERA sits at (1.88). Top of the 8th, Bravos 3 Navigantes 0. For the Navigantes, Ezekiel Carrera is 0-3 with a strikeout.

Luis Hernandez is 1-3 for the Aragua Tigres. Luis is batting (.216).

In a game delayed for over two hours, Caracas leads LaGuaira 1-0 in the second. Jesus Aguilar is 0-1 with a strikeout.

Day off for the Dominican League.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Major Leaguers Jeremy Guthrie, Salvador Perez hold Baseball Clinic in Spain

by Royal Spanish Baseball and Softball Federation

Good work was done this weekend at the MLB Clinic at Sant Boi Field in Spain. Over 60 players and two famous stars from Major League Baseball: Jeremy Guthrie was in charge of the pitching staff, marveled with his out-going character and affection for the kid. Salvador Perez was working with the catchers, which could absorb some experience from a MLB All Star Player.

It was a nice weekend with interesting activities. On Saturday, both players held clinics explaining their knowledge and experience in the Majors and distributed innovations in the pitchers and catcher movements, as well as the basics of hitting by Perez.

One of the highlights of the Clinic was when Jeremy Guthrie was mounted on the pitching rubber to pitch the entire game for a young group on Sunday, the Kansas City pitcher threw to all hitters and threw his powerful straight fastball, a big change up and impressive curve ball.

On another occasion Salvador Perez took batting practice, as all participants were able to enjoy the luxury of seeing kilometer long home runs and untold power worthy of a Major Leaguer. A thank you goes to all participants, the Sant Boi Club and all the parents who made this activity possible.

joez wrote:

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Major Leaguers Jeremy Guthrie, Salvador Perez hold Baseball Clinic in Spain

by Royal Spanish Baseball and Softball Federation

Good work was done this weekend at the MLB Clinic at Sant Boi Field in Spain. Over 60 players and two famous stars from Major League Baseball: Jeremy Guthrie was in charge of the pitching staff, marveled with his out-going character and affection for the kid. Salvador Perez was working with the catchers, which could absorb some experience from a MLB All Star Player.

It was a nice weekend with interesting activities. On Saturday, both players held clinics explaining their knowledge and experience in the Majors and distributed innovations in the pitchers and catcher movements, as well as the basics of hitting by Perez.

One of the highlights of the Clinic was when Jeremy Guthrie was mounted on the pitching rubber to pitch the entire game for a young group on Sunday, the Kansas City pitcher threw to all hitters and threw his powerful straight fastball, a big change up and impressive curve ball.

On another occasion Salvador Perez took batting practice, as all participants were able to enjoy the luxury of seeing kilometer long home runs and untold power worthy of a Major Leaguer. A thank you goes to all participants, the Sant Boi Club and all the parents who made this activity possible.

Colorado Rookies?

Around the Farm: October 31, 2013
Tyler Naquin

By Tony Lastoria

November 1, 2013

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Around the Farm (ATF) takes a quick look at some of the daily performances by Indians prospects. This is a special fall and winter ball version of ATF that recaps all the offseason action by Indians players in the Arizona Fall League and the Caribbean Leagues. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in the game.

Note, there were no games scheduled in the Dominican Winter League on Thursday night.

Arizona Fall League

Tyler Naquin (CF, Surprise Saguaros): 1-for-3, BB. Naquin has had a really nice showing in the AFL so far. Has he done anything to improve his prospect stock? No, probably not. But what he has done is gone out there and performed and more than anything has solidified his status as a solid outfield prospect and one who looks like can be a good complementary player at the major league level along the lines of Michael Brantley and David DeJesus. He had his 13-game hitting streak snapped on Monday, but has come right back with hits in his last three games and has hits in 16 of his 17 games. He was also recently named Player of the Week on the AFL and named to the Rising Stars roster, a game which will be played on Saturday (Nov. 2nd).

Venezuela Winter League

Bryan Price (RP, Bravos de Margarita): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K. Price bounced back from a rough outing on Tuesday night when he was tagged with the loss by coming out on Thursday night and striking out all three batters he faced. He earned his first save in the VWL as a result, and in eight appearances he has a 3.38 ERA, .176 BAA and in 10.2 innings has a 10:3 strikeout to walk ratio.

Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 0-for-4, K. Carrera is 0-for-7 in his last two games and has seen his batting average drop to .254 in 19 games. He has been the leadoff hitter for his team and is doing a nice job with a 12:11 walk to strikeout ratio, .376 on-base percentage and 6 stolen bases.

Jesus Aguilar (1B, Leones del Caracas): 0-for-4, 2 K. Even Superman is not superhuman every night. Aguilar had a rare off night as he went hitless and racked up two strikeouts, but even with the hiccup he is still hitting .371 in 18 games for Caracas this offseason. He entered the game 2nd in the league in hitting (.394), 2nd in runs scored (18), 4th in extra base hits (9), 1st in home runs (6), 1st in total bases (47), 2nd in RBI (19), tied for 9th in walks (9) and 1st in OPS (1.173). That's about as complete a start to a winter ball campaign as a player can have and about as dominating a showing as well.

Follow Tony and the Indians Prospect Insider on Twitter @TonyIBI. Also, his new book the 2013 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider which profiles the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is available for sale.

Berger sharp as as Margarita upends Magallanes

Astros farmhand Eric Berger gave up two hits and a walk and struck out four over six innings as Margarita topped Magallanes, 3-1, on Thursday

Winter League roundup: Berger sharp for Margarita

By Quinn Roberts and Adam Berry / MLB.com | 11/1/2013 3:26 A.M. ET

Venezuelan Winter League

Margarita 3, Magallanes 1

Astros farmhand Eric Berger held Magallanes to just two hits and a walk while striking out four over six inning of work. The 27-year-old right-hander, who spent most of last season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, then handed the game to Cardinals prospect Silfredo Garcia and Indians Minor Leaguer Bryan Price. Garcia gave up one run in the eighth -- his second inning of work -- and Price struck out the side in the ninth to pick up the save.

Margarita second baseman David Peralta led the way offensively, going 3-for-4 with a double -- the club's only extra-base hit. Leadoff man Antoan Richardson went 2-for-2 with two walks and an RBI. Breyvic Valera and Cesar Hernandez each drove in a run as well, giving Berger and Co. all the support they needed.

Caracas 6, La Guaira 4

Caracas designated hitter and 17-year Major League veteran Bobby Abreu went 3-for-4 with two RBIs from the No. 3 spot in the lineup, and cleanup hitter Daniel Mayora added two hits, including a two-run homer in the seventh. Second baseman Luis Rodriguez also homered, blasting a solo shot in the sixth, and right fielder Danny Dorn went deep in the seventh.

Caracas carried a three-run lead into the top of the ninth, but La Guaira rallied for a run on a walk and back-to-back singles. Miguel Gonzalez drew a one-out walk to load the bases against reliever Jess Todd, but Rafael Ortega struck out swinging and Indians prospect Luis Sardinas, who had two hits and an RBI, flied out to left to end the game.

Aragua 4, Zulia 2

Hector Gimenez, who played 26 games for the White Sox in 2013, hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning and drove in another run on a line-drive single to center in the fifth, leading Aragua's 11-hit offensive attack. Luis Hernandez drove in Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia in the eighth, putting some distance between Aragua and Zulia after the latter rallied for two runs in the seventh.

Caribes-Lara: Postponed (rain)

Mexican Pacific League

Guasave 5, Hermosillo 1 (7 innings)

Hermosillo outhit Guasave in Game 1 of a doublelheader but couldn't get the big hit when it counted. Guasave did most of its damage in the first few innings, getting to Hermosillo starter Barry Enright. In five innings, Enright allowed four runs on four hits. Meanwhile, Orlando Lara allowed just one run on four hits in five innings for his first win of the season.

Hermosillo 7, Guasave 1 (7 innings)

In the second game between the two clubs, Hermosillo used a six-run seventh to pull away. That big inning included two doubles from Jose Amador and Carlos Gastelum, and was highlighted by a three-run home run from Luis Garcia. Ryan Verdugo allowed just one run on two hits in five innings, but reliever Jason Urquidez wound up getting the win.

Navojoa 9, Mexicali 5

A five-run second inning for Navojoa proved to be the difference in Thursday's game. Alan Sanchez and Luis Fonseca both had three hits. Sergio Valenzuela got knocked around, allowing six runs on six hits in 1 1/3 innings for his second loss of the season. Eddie Gamboa allowed four runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings for his first win.

Obregon 8, Culiacan 7

Culiacan looked to be on track for its eighth win of the season. Obregon, however, had a different idea, scoring five runs in bottom of the ninth to secure the come from behind victory. With four hits in the inning, the deciding run came on a bases loaded walk to Albino Contreras. Martin Sotelo got the win, while Francisco Rodriguez took the loss.

Los Mochis 5, Mazatlan 5 (14 innings)

Nothing could be decided after a 14-inning thriller. After Mazatlan scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, Los Mochis answered back with four runs in the fifth. After that, both teams tacked on runs in the seventh, before the game ended in a tie. A total of 17 pitchers saw action in the game (nine for Los Mochis and eight for Mazatlan).

Baseball / Japanese Baseball

Eagles prepare to unleash Tanaka on Giants with title there for taking

by Jason Coskrey

Staff Writer

Nov 1, 2013

SENDAI –

Masahiro Tanaka blew out the candles on his birthday cake in one big breath.

If he can muster up the strength to blow the Yomiuri Giants away one more time, the new 25-year-old will give himself and the Tohoku region a party that won’t soon be forgotten.

Tanaka, the recently crowned 2013 Sawamura Award winner who hasn’t lost a decision since August of 2012, will make his final start of the year on Saturday in Game 6 of the Japan Series at Kleenex Stadium with the franchise’s first-ever title just a win away.

“Ma-Kun” went the distance and struck out 12 in the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles’ 2-1 win over Yomiuri in Game 2, but this start comes with a little bit more on the line.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Tanaka said. “The only difference is that we could clinch the Japan Series title. Since I already pitched, I don’t think I’ll feel any more nervousness than last time.”

Tanaka watched from Sendai as his teammates beat the Giants in a thrilling Game 5 finish at Tokyo Dome on Thursday to take a 3-2 lead in the series. That win gives Rakuten two chances, both at home, to finish off the defending Japan Series champions.

“Still got a lot of work to do,” Eagles third baseman Casey McGehee said. “Sometimes that last game, last inning, sometimes those are the toughest ones to get.”

Each team worked out at Kleenex Stadium on Friday — the Eagles briefly, and the Giants going through their full paces.

The Raktuen players were smiling, loose, and seemingly unencumbered by the enormity of the opportunity that awaits Saturday night.

A Rakuten victory would be another welcome sign of joy to a region that has rallied around the team in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in 2011, the effects of which are still being felt to this day.

McGehee said the feeling from the fans goes deeper than the usual rah-rah fervor, that it felt deeper and more emotional.

“I hope that whatever role we have played, even if it doesn’t go our way these next two games, I hope this has been a bright spot for this region,” he said.

The storybook ending for Rakuten fans would be to finish with Tanaka on mound closing out his own win in the ninth.

“Well, that depends on the opponents,” Tanaka said. “It depends on how the game plays out, so I don’t know about that.”

The Giants figure to face an uphill climb to stay alive against a pitcher who didn’t lose a game all year, and finished the season with a 1.27 ERA in 183 innings.

“We’re going to do our best,” Giants manager Tatsunori Hara said.

They’ll send right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano to the mound, hoping the rookie, who won 13 games this season, can keep the Eagles cooped long enough for the Kyojin batters to find the holes in Tanaka’s armour.

“I’m going to do everything I can to help the team,” Sugano said. “Of course, I feel a little pressure, but I will try to use that to my advantage.”

More than anything, the Giants need to regain their vigor at the plate.

Hisayoshi Chono has a .300 average through the first five games of the series, but he’s the only Yomiuri regular hitting above .250. All-Stars Shinnosuke Abe and Hayato Sakamoto have combined to produce just three hits, while Jose Lopez is still in search of his first base knock of the series.

Lopez, however, exuded confidence as he prepared to step into the batting cage during practice on Friday.

“Seven,” he said simply. “Game 7.”

The Kyojin’s inefficiency has mostly prevented them from taking advantage of the mistakes the Eagles have made at various points during the series.

Offense is one of the main reasons the Giants are here, and the team is a threat to break out of its collective slump at any time.

With the title almost in their grasp, the Eagles remained upbeat, unfazed, and focused on seeing things through to the end, win or lose, on their terms.

“While we know they’ve got a good team, we’re completely confident in ourselves,” McGehee said. “We might not do it as flashy and as pretty as some other teams, but I think we’ve got a good team top to bottom. We’ve got a lot of scrap in us.

“We got a lot of dog in us.”

Samsung Lions capture third straight Korean Series title

Published : 2013-11-01 22:18 Updated : 2013-11-01 22:59


The Samsung Lions are the champions of South Korean baseball for the third straight year.

The Lions defeated the Doosan Bears 7-3 on Friday to capture the Korean Series in seven games, earning their third consecutive Korea Baseball Organization championship.

At their home Daegu Stadium, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, the Lions blew the game wide open with a five-run sixth inning, as they became the first club to win the pennant and the Korean Series in three straight years.

They are also the first team to win the Korean Series after trailing three games to one.

It marked the seventh time that the Korean Series winner was decided in a Game 7.

The Lions broke the 2-2 tie in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a throwing error by Doosan third baseman Lee Won-seok. With one out and bases loaded, Choi Hyung-woo hit a soft grounder to Lee, whose throw home went off the right hand of the runner Jeong Byeong-gon.

Jeong put his hands up as he slid feet first into the home plate, and the ball was deflected toward the first base dugout, allowing Park Han-yi to score from second base.

Park Seok-min, the next batter, blooped a two-run single to center off Doosan's reliever Derek Hankins for a 6-2 lead. Kim Tae-wan then drove Park home with a double to left-center field, chasing Hankins from the game.

Son Si-heon hit a solo home run for the Bears in the top seventh, but they couldn't get any closer in the decisive game.

Reliever Ahn Ji-man was credited with the victory despite giving up a run in his one inning of work. Hankins, a starter-turned-reliever, had pitched 11 1/3 scoreless innings in this year's postseason before the bottom fell out in the fatal sixth inning. He was the losing pitcher after giving up five runs, three of them unearned, on five hits and a walk in 1 1/3 innings.

The 2-3-4 hitters for the Lions, Park Han-yi, Chae Tae-in and Choi Hyung-woo, reached the base 10 times in 15 plate appearances.

Park went 3-for-5 and scored three runs, while Chae also had three hits. Choi drew three walks and scored once.

For Doosan, Kim Hyun-soo went 4-for-4, all of them singles, in the losing cause.

The Lions scored seven runs total in the first four games, but put up 20 runs on board in their final three games, all of them victories.

Neither of the starters, Jang Won-sam for Samsung and Yu Hui-kwan for Doosan, factored into a decision in this game. Jang was the steadier of the two, throwing 5 2/3 innings and giving up two runs, one of them unearned on six hits. He struck out six and

walked one. Yu needed 100 pitches to get through his 4 1/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs on six hits and five walks. He managed to strike out just one.

The teams traded a run apiece in the opening inning. Lee Jong-wook led off the game for the Bears with a double in the top first, and after Son Si-heon sacrificed him over to third, Kim Hyun-soo drove in Lee with a single the right side of a drawn-in infield.

The Lions answered in the bottom of the first, when Park Seok-min hit a sacrifice fly to left with one out and bases loaded.

Park Han-yi, who'd reached with a bloop single, just beat the throw home by left fielder Kim Hyun-soo.

The Bears reclaimed the lead in the top third. They too had the bases full with one out, and Yang Eui-ji hit a sacrifice fly that made it 2-1.

After blowing earlier opportunities to put some runs on board against the shaky starter Yu, the Lions finally pulled even in the fifth.

They opened the inning with back-to-back singles and a walk, Yu's fifth of the night. The left-hander left the game after retiring Park Seok-min to a shallow fly to left.

Then facing new pitcher Hankins, Lee Seung-yeop, 3-for-24 in the Korean Series up to that point, delivered a game-tying single to right. It was Lee's first RBI of the series.

The Lions loaded the bases in the first, third, fifth and sixth, and finally broke out in the chaotic sixth inning.

Samsung's closer Oh Seung-hwan made what might have been his last appearance in the Lions' uniform. In a non-save situation, the right-hander threw a perfect ninth inning.

The free-agent-to-be this offseason is expected to be posted by the Lions for any interested Major League Baseball club. He has reportedly drawn interest from the New York Yankees.

(Yonhap News)

Masahiro Tanaka, If he can muster up the strength to blow the Yomiuri Giants away one more time, the new 25-year-old will give himself and the Tohoku region a party that won’t soon be forgotten.

Tanaka, the recently crowned 2013 Sawamura Award (Cy Young equivalent in Japan) winner who hasn’t lost a decision since August of 2012, will make his final start of the year on Saturday in Game 6 of the Japan Series at Kleenex Stadium with the franchise’s first-ever title just a win away.

Tanaka put together a historic season in 2013, meeting all but one of the seven criteria (15 or more wins; 150 or more strikeouts; at least 10 complete games; an ERA under 2.50; at least 200 innings pitched; 25 or more games started; and a winning percentage greater than .600), by which winners are judged.

“Ma-kun” finished the season 24-0, with a save, 183 strikeouts and eight complete games. He posted a 1.27 ERA over 212 innings in 28 starts and, of course, had a perfect 1.000 winning percentage.

Tanaka gave up just six home runs during the season and finished with a 0.94 WHIP.

Tanaka has continued to pitch at a high level during the postseason — currently 2-0 with two complete-game victories and a save — confounding hitters with a solid array of pitches, and putting away more than a few with the devastating forkball that was on display in Game 2 of the Japanese Fall Classic on Sunday.

“Ma-Kun” went the distance and struck out 12 in the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles’ 2-1 win over Yomiuri in Game 2, but this start comes with a little bit more on the line.

The Giants figure to face an uphill climb to stay alive against a pitcher who didn’t lose a game all year, and finished the season with a 1.27 ERA in 183 innings.

Haniger, Naquin help Saguaros swat Scorpions

Mitch Haniger, the Brewers' No. 12 prospect, went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Tyler Naquin went 3-for-5 to propel first-place Surprise over Scottsdale

Naquin nabs AFL Player of the Week honors

Prospect goes 8-for-20 with a league-high seven RBIs amidst 13-game hit streak

By Don Ketchum / Special to MLB.com | 10/29/2013 5:26 P.M. ET

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. --

Arizona Fall League Player of the Week Tyler Naquin loves the wide-open Texas life of fishing, hunting and just enjoying the sprawling outdoors.

He and his brother recently purchased some land in the small town of Iola, about a 20-minute drive from College Station, where Naquin went to school at Texas A&M. There aren't many things that would make the young prospect pack his bags and leave for awhile.

One of them is baseball. Naquin plays it with a passion.

"It is the best job in the world," he said.

So here he is in metropolitan Phoenix, where the gas stations and stoplights far outnumber those back home.

Naquin wants his best job to be even better. He is diligently trying to make that happen as an outfield prospect for the Cleveland Indians, playing for the Surprise Saguaros.

He was No. 5 on the Indians' 2013 Top 20 Prospects list, and he was the team's first-round pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

In the third week of the Fall League, Naquin had an output as big as, well, Texas.

In five games, the 22-year-old was 8-for-20 (.400), walked three times, had a league-high seven RBIs and was successful in two of his three stolen-base attempts.

Naquin was rewarded with the Player of the Week nod. Also honored as Pitcher of the Week was Mesa Solar Sox lefty Matt Purke, who like Naquin is a native of Spring, Texas.

"It's an honor to be selected," Naquin said Monday. "I appreciate what the staff here is doing and what the Indians are doing to help me have a good future."

The left-handed-hitting Naquin owned a 13-game hit streak that ended Monday, and he entered play Tuesday with a .351 average, 20 hits, 11 RBIs, one double, six walks, three stolen bases and nine runs scored.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Naquin is not a power hitter, but he can spray the ball. He is capable of hitting leadoff or pretty much anywhere else in the batting order.

"I'm just doing what I've always done, keeping it simple, not trying to do too much, taking it a pitch at a time," Naquin said.

At Texas A&M, Naquin was an offensive star, and Michael Wacha was the star pitcher. Naquin was the 15th overall pick in 2012 and Wacha went four spots later at No. 19. The right-hander made a big splash for the St. Louis Cardinals this year and is pitching for them in the World Series.

Naquin hopes to play in the World Series one day. He figures he will get there by working within the framework of the Indians' organization, but he knows it is flexible at the same time.

"They let you work on things and make suggestions, but if they don't work, they allow you to try other things, make some adjustments. They understand. They let you be you," he said.

He played center field in his youth, then moved to right field in college, but he's returned to center. He can cover a lot of ground and has an above-average arm.

Fellow honoree Purke learned that at an early age back in Texas.

"He is a really good player, and he is a good hitter," Purke said. "On defense, he is tough to run on. If a guy asked me if he should try to score from second on him, I would tell them, 'I probably wouldn't try it, because he will throw you out.'"

Naquin likes it in center.

"You control things in the outfield. You're kind of like the captain," he said. "You can see the ball break. You have to be ready for every pitch."

When the Fall League season is over, Naquin will go back to Texas and get some R&R, then come back next spring ready to go.

After all, he has the best job in the world.

Puerto Rico Winter Baseball Roberto Clemente Opening Day (Night)

The first game at the stadium Yldefonso Sola Morales, the Creoles will meet the Carolina Giants, a team that has not reached the final since winning their first two championships in 2006 and repeated in 2007.

For tonight's game, the Creoles send to the mound Michael Nix, who in the last tournament was 1-0 and 0.54 ERA in four starts in the regular season. In the playoffs he collected a mark of 1-1 (1.93) in three starts in the semifinals and 1-0 (2.54) in two starts in the series finale.

In turn, the Giant will respond with Dan Cevette. The right-hander went 1-0 and did not allow any runs in six games pitched in the minor leagues.

The second game of the night will see the Mayaguez Indians in the stadium Isidoro "Cholo" García, at the Ponce Lions. In 2012 the Lions did not qualify for the postseason posting a final mark of 17 - 23.

"We are eager to start the opener" said Carlos Baerga, Mayagüez pilot and Manager of the Year last season.

The Indians open the game with the American righty Matt Magill, who was 6-2 and allowed 3.35 runs per nine innings in 19 games, including 17 starts in the various subsidiaries of the Dodgers.

The Lions, meanwhile, will begin with a proven veteran arm in the winter league, Giancarlo Alvarado. Alvarado had a 3-2 record and 3.04 ERA in eight starts last season with the Lions, while for the Indians in the playoffs had a 1-1 record and 4.22 ERA in four starts.

Given the fact that this season there will be again five teams. The Santurce Crabbers will not play on the opening day. Their first game will be tomorrow, Saturday, in Caguas.

Omar on the job....this time as a teacher

He came out early for extra batting practice, then was presented to the team by manager Dave Hudgens. After the introductions, Vizquel headed out to shortstop to start his new role for some instructions much to the delight of Wladimir Sutil and Eugenio Suarez.

"It became mostly like a family gathering. The greeting, hugging and all that. I come mostly to cover the educational side of the game. The idea is to work with the boys in the infield" said Vizquel after his first practice as coach.

Manny Acta returns the magic touch to Licey

By JOSEPH CÁCERES

The arrival of Manny Acta as the General Manager of the Tigres del Licey caused much impact when he was introduced in mid-year at the Hotel Ambassador, the man does not mince words: "We will return Licey to the top, play hard, play ball. "

Well, to take stock of the first eleven games of the Tigers in this winter ball tournament, it should be noted that Manny Acta's words are being fulfilled one hundred percent.

The magic has returned to the clubhouse. Today everything is blue (Tiger colors are blue and white) and happy. Acta has restored the team on a winning track.

The structuring of the team has all the right parts at each position. Already in play debuted shortstop Dee Gordon from the Dodgers this week. This is Gordon's second season with the team and is off to a start and has added a spark to the lineup.

The indigo troop is in second place in the standings (8-3), just a half-game behind the Cibao Aguilas who rank first with an 8-2 record.

The figure of hitter Yamaico Navarro has taken the lead in the Tigers offensive and now, if the season concluded Friday, the third baseman would be the "Most Valuable Player" of the Winter Tournament.

Navarro has put in his two cents, along with his other colleagues. The Tigers have gotten the last three wins in a row and the last six in a row at home field the Estadio Quisqueya.

Navarro is the leading hitter in the league with average of .487, the result of 19 hits in 39 times at the plate with 12 runs scored. Navarro is co-leader four homers, leading the league with 19 RBIs.

Another player who is off to a great start is Jurickson Profar shortstop who is batting .400 with 12 runs scored, 40 at-bats, 16 hits, one home run, three RBIs and playing good defense on the field.

That young player of the Texas Rangers was aligned from day one with the blue and has impregnated his leadership and charisma for the game which has had a positive effect on the team.

Also the third baseman Juan Francisco, has woken up and joined the group of Navarro, Profar, Holmes and Santana as the main guns of the Licey offensive.

The pitching. Gregory Aquino is undefeated with two wins without a loss, has pitched four innings, allowed two hits.

The closer Jairo Asensio has grown up and now has four games saved.

Undoubtedly, the Tigres del Licey has had a great start and are happy to be in second place battling for the league lead.

Around the Farm: November 1, 2013
Jose Ramirez

By Arthur Kinney

November 2, 2013

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Around the Farm (ATF) takes a quick look at some of the daily performances by Indians prospects. This is a special fall and winter ball version of ATF that recaps all the offseason action by Indians players in the Arizona Fall League and the Caribbean Leagues. The positions listed below are where the player was playing in the game.

Notes, the Puerto Rico winter league are now in action, but neither league was active much on Friday night.

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

Tyler Naquin (Surprise Saguaros, CF) - 3-5, 3 R, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 K, 1 SB - Naquin remains on a tear in the AFL as Friday nights amazing night at the plate and on the bases puts him at .360/.425/.440 and 15 RBI in eighteen games in the Valley of the Sun this fall season. He is simply dominating against a high level of prospect competition.

Joe Wendle (Surprise Saguaros, 2B) - 1-4, 1 RBI - Wendle only gets one hit, but makes it count by driving in a run with a seventh-inning single. Wendle is playing well in semi-regular playing time in the Phoenix area, going 12-for-40 (.300) with nine RBI in eleven games.

Tony Wolters (Surprise Saguaros, C) - 2-4, 1 R, 1 K - Wolters posted a solid night at the plate, but it still doesn't do much to improve his woeful number on the AFL season (now at .212/..395/.242). The OBP is higher due to four walks, almost as many as his hit total entering today's game. We can only hope this is the beginning of a turnaround for him.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE

Ezequiel Carrera (Navegantes del Magallanes, CF) - 2-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 K - Carrera picks up his seventh RBI of the LVBP season and continues his march toward a .300 batting average (now .263 in twenty winter league games). While his numbers haven't been great, it is nights like Friday night that are great to see out of him.

Luis Hernandez (Tigres de Aragua, starting SS) - 0-1 - Hernandez only managed one plate appearance before being pulled from the field with two out in the bottom of the fourth inning. It remains to be seen what the official reason is for him leaving the game, the fact that it was in mid-inning leads me to worry that it may be injury-related.

Jesus Aguilar (Leones del Caracas, 1B) - 0-5, 1 K - Even the RBI machine has to have an off night every so often, and Friday night was the night. Even with this o-fer outing, Aguilar is still posting a .347/.412/.627 slash line with six home runs and 19 RBI in 18 LVBP games so far this year.

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE

Jose Ramirez (Toros del Este, 3B) - 2-5, 1 R, 1 K, Caught Stealing 1 time, Picked Off 1 time - A good night at the plate for J-Ram, but not such a good one on the basepaths as his first two official steal attempts of the the LIDOM season result in a pickoff and a caught stealing. Despite the troubles rounding the bases, nights like he had at the plate are what we need to see more out of him as this winter season progresses.

Ronny Rodriguez (Estrellas Orientales, starting SS) - 0-1, 1 BB, 1 R, 1 SB - Ronny managed only a walk and a stolen base befire being pulled after the sixth inning for subtitute Juan Diaz (see below for more on his performance) for reasons not currently known. I can't really comment much on his winter season overall as the sample size is way too small to read much into his light early-season numbers.

Juan Diaz (Estrellas Orientales, backup SS) - 0-1, 1 K - Diaz's only plate appearance after coming in for Rodriguez (see above) was a strikeout. Like the player he came into the game for, Diaz's winter has been another story of poor numbers but also too small of a sample size to properly judge them.

Erik Gonzalez (Leones del Escogido, SS) - 2-4, 1 K - Gonzalez's great night put him over .300 (.306 in twelve games) on the season. Hopefully this kind of form continues as it speaks well of his potential.

Pederson helps Venezuelan club Lara earn DH split

No. 43 overall prospect Joc Pederson had two hits in the second game of a doubleheader, as did fellow Dodgers farmhand Nick Buss

Winter League wrap: Dodgers prospects shine for Lara

Venezuelan Winter League

Caribes 8, Lara 2: Game 1

Caribes scored four in the sixth and three in the seventh to take the opener of a doubleheader. Niuman Romero, Leslie Anderson, Cory Aldridge and Oscar Salazar each had two hits.

Lara 7, Caribes 6: Game 2

Anderson De La Rosa hit a two-run walk-off double to give Lara a doubleheader split. Hernan Iribarren had three hits, while Dodgers top prospect Joc Pederson and Nick Buss each had two hits. Leslie Anderson had three hits for Caribes.

Magallanes 8, Margarita 4

Magallanes scored three eighth-inning runs and another in the ninth to pull away from Margarita. Allan Dykstra went 3-for-4, while Eliezer Alfonzo had two hits, including a home run.

La Guaira 3, Caracas 1

Alex Cabrera hit a two-run, walk-off homer to give La Guaira a thrilling 11-inning win. Astros prospect Carlos Perez had two hits for Caracus. Collin McHugh tossed six innings of one-run ball for Caracas, while La Guaira's Edgmer Escalona allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings.

Zulia 8, Aragua 2

Freddy Galvis paced Zulia with three hits while Ernesto Mejia and Jose Pirela added two. Roy Merritt earned the win by tossing five innings of one-run ball, striking out four.

Mexican Pacific League

Mexicali 4, Los Mochis 0

Edgar Osuna got his second win of the season for Mexicali, allowing just three hits in five innings. He also struck out seven and walked two. Daniel Hinojosa had the only home run of the night, belting a two-run shot in the seventh inning. Francisco Cordova took the loss, allowing four runs on 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Culiacan 7, Mazatlan 2

Thanks to two big innings by Culiacan, the team was able to get the win. Emmanuel Valdez's two-run home run to left field capped the sixth inning. Culiacan scored four in the eighth while batting around. The big hits were doubles by Luis Cruz and Ali Solis.

Obregon 4, Hermosillo 3

A tight game throughout, Obregon was led by center fielder Dan Robertson, who had two hits and an RBI, and Donald Lutz, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Carlos Valencia also hit his first home run of the season in the third. Yunesky Sanchez had a nice night for Hermosillo, belting his third home run of the season in the fifth inning.

Dominican Winter League

Licey 3, Escogido 0

Sean Halton did most of the damage for Licey on Friday night, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs. Yunesky Maya got his first win of the season, allowing just three hits in five innings of work. Blue Jays No. 5 prospect Sean Nolin took his second loss of the season, alowing three runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings.

Estrellas 5, Toros 3

Alex Valdez had a great night at the plate for Estrellas, going 2-for-4 with a triple and a solo home run. The fifth-inning blast marked his first home run of the season. Aneury Rodriguez took his second loss of the campaign, allowing four runs on three hits in just 2 1/3 innings.

Aguilas vs. Gigantes -- Postponed (Rain)

Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

Ponce 9, Mayaguez 3

In the first game of the season, both teams came out with hot bats. Yet, it was Ponce who got the hits when it counted. The team was led by Jose Ruiz, who went 3-for-4 on the night with a home run and two RBIs. Matt Magill took the loss, allowing four runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings.

Carolina vs. Caguas -- Postponed (Rain)