Cleveland Sports Forum

11/5/16

ANOTHER QUIET NIGHT-
OFF DAY AND CANCELLATIONS

Dominican Winter League

Ronny Rodriguez (2B, Aguilas Cibaenas): 0-3, BB, R - Ronny Rodriguez saw his seven game hitting streak come to an end Monday night in the Dominican. Rodriguez has pieced together a very solid offseason so far. Even with no hits last night he is still batting .355 in 29 games played. Rodriguez did manage to draw a walk in this game which is somewhat of a rarity for him. The free pass was just his fifth in 107 at-bats.

Erik Gonzalez (SS, Leones del Escogido): 1-2 - In a game shortened by rain, Gonzalez still managed to record a hit and extend his hitting streak to four games. Gonzalez got a late jump on the Dominican season as this was only his fourth contest appeared in. Some signs of rust were evident in his first three games back as he struck out five times in eleven at-bats. I look for those numbers to decrease once he gets back in the swing of playing every day.

Puerto Rican League

Alexis Pantoja (SS, Tiburones de Aguadilla): 0-2, SO - Pantoja entered the game as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning for Tiburones de Aguadilla of their 5-4 victory. Pantoja is a player best known for his glove work, and it seems that was why he was called on late in a close game. However, Pantoja has put some solid games together at the dish of late, and is now batting .310 in his last 10 contest in Puerto Rico.

GIOVANNY URSHELA WANTED TO BE ASTRONAUT

Caracas.-

Any ordinary fan would think that most players operating in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League have similar tastes or even dreams of becoming a professional ballplayer. However, that is not the case with Giovanny Urshela.

Third baseman and one of the offensive spark plugs of the Eagles of Zulia in the 2016-2017 season, says he loves to eat. In addition, the Colombian does not show any hesitation to confess that if not been a baseball player would have liked to become an astronaut.

Never give up and lower your head, even if things are going bad, is the philosophy of life for Urshela, 25 years old, who shared in the field with one of his countryman Jolbert Cabrera, another one of the players who earned his way into the big leagues with the Cleveland Indians.

What he likes when he's not playing baseball?

• Eat.

Who was your childhood hero?

• My dad (Alvaro Urshela).

What person or persons have been most influential in your life?

• My family. Thank God I have a very close family and they have supported me in everything from small.

What is the best advice you have been given?

• You never give up. When things are going bad you must cope and hold your head high.

Which player, past or present, would pay a ticket to see him play?

• I would like to see Babe Ruth (Hall of Fame Major League Baseball).

What was the best moment of your life?

• The day I got to the big leagues (June 9, 2015, in the uniform of the Cleveland Indians against the Seattle Mariners).

Who is the ballplayer the most learned?

• Jolbert Cabrera (Cartagena utility that debuted in the Majors on April 12, 1998, with the Cleveland Indians, and retired on September 28, 2008 wearing the shirt of the Cincinnati Reds). I played with him in the last year of his career and also had him as coach.

What is the main attribute that should have as a baseball player?

• Confidence.

If I could change something in baseball, what would it be?

• Games in the morning (laughs).

Who is the toughest pitcher who has faced?

• Chris Sale (lefty Chicago White Sox).

What was the most embarrassing moment of his career?

• When I went to the United States. I was in my first game and when the other team made three outs I ran towards the dugout and fell at home plate.

What is the key to success?

• The persistence.

What is the quality you most admire in a person?

• That he is humble.

What would you like to hear when people talk about you?

• They will say that I am tremendous person.

If not a baseball player, what would you be devoted to?

• Astronaut.

What is your favorite stadium?

• The Baltimore Orioles (Oriole Park at Camden Yards).

Any city you prefer when on tour?

• Margarita Venezuela. I love the beach.

Have you thought about your life when you decide to retire?

• I would like to coach boys coming from below.

BASEBALL

Yandy Diaz:

At the gates of the Major Leagues with the Cleveland Indians

LUIS ALVARO FERNANDEZ | Havana


Third baseman Yandy Diaz may be the only Cuban baseball player on the active roster of the Cleveland Indians who lost the Fall Classic in seven games against the Chicago Cubs.

The 25-year-old Diaz, nominated as the #10 prospect of the Cleveland team by MLB Pipeline, has some unfinished business ahead.

"My goal is to get to the big leagues (with the Indians) and to debut in the 2017 season," said the Cuban player to DIARIO DE CUBA.

From Sagua la Grande, in Villa Clara, Diaz played in three national series in Cuba (2008-2011), where he averaged .271 in 411 trips to the batter's box.

He stood out mainly for his speed, the ability to make contact, and consistent play on defense where he participated in 108 double plays in 142 games played.

But in Cuba, his team mate Aledmys Diaz did not give him much chance to play regularly, so Yandy saw the possibility of playing at a higher level and paying homage to his father Jorge Diaz, who was a star second baseman for Villa Clara in the 90's.

"My dad called me 'Spider Diaz' so they called me 'the spider' long before my debut. I did not have the opportunity to spend much time with my father and I didn't get to see him play much, but I have been told by several people that he was a great defensive second baseman, "said the versatile player who now plays for the Lions of Caracas in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.

At 22, Yandy saw the heavens open up for him in 2013 when the Cleveland Indians offered him a bonus of $ 300,000 for his signature.

"I am very happy to belong to the Indians, they gave me the opportunity to sign and something I will never forget. I have interacted with players on the team, and I have also received many tips from Latino ballplayers, especially the stellar Francisco Lindor and Carlos Santana ".

"Only God knows if I can debut with the Indians in 2017, but at least I think I've done well here in Venezuela, always making adjustments every day. It is a league with very demanding pitching and is unlike others I have ever faced before" says the Cuban prospect, who in his first 89 innings with the Lions of Caracas has hit a high .348 with 13 RBIs and .420 OBP.

"Every game here with the Lions is an interesting experience, since I play for Venezuela's most popular team the Lions of Caracas. Thanks to this dream I'm living I have gotten to know many players who are tremendous people, and I was able to play this year with my compatriot Felix Perez, who is always present and is always giving me advice and the help that I need. "

When asked Diaz his opinion on the state of baseball in his country, he confesses:

"I do not know what the leaders are thinking in Cuba! But they are missing a tremendous opportunity. While I can not be specific, I think they can not get ahead.

Would you be willing to play in Cuba if everything changes?

"Yes. I would like to return, if they change the way everything is right now. But definitely, of course I would like to play in my country. "

From Esteban Bellan (1873) to Yoan Moncada (2016) a total of 199 Cubans have debuted in the majors. In the 2017 season, Yandy Diaz is one of the strongest candidates to become the 200th player.

HR: Aguilar (5, 7th inning off Machi, 0 on, 2 out)
TB: Diaz, Y 2; Aguilar 4
RBI: Aguilar (12).
2-out RBI: Aguilar
SAC: Rodriguez, Ro; Gonzalez, E.; Pantoja.
E: Gonzalez, E (2, throw)
SB: Almonte (3, 2nd base off Gaviglio/Rivas); Pantoja (1, 2nd base off Rowland/Morales).

11/6/16

Venezuelan Winter League

Yandy Diaz (LF, Leones del Caracas): 2-5, 1 R. Diaz has been one of the more impressive Tribe players in winter ball this offseason as he continues to turn heads in every step of his professional career so far. The Cuban native is batting .358 with two homers, seven doubles and 13 RBI's. Additionally, Diaz continues to see time in the outfield as he would get the start in left field on Tuesday for Caracas in their 7-3 victory over Aragua.

Jesus Aguilar (1B, Leones del Caracas): 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI. Aguilar hit his second home run in his last five games as he has recorded a hit in each of those contests. In addition to showcasing his power once again in Venezuela, the 26-year-old is showing a sound plate approach racking up an equal amount of walks and strikeouts with 14 each. Overall, Aguilar is batting .284 with five homers and 12 RBI's in 24 games so far this winter.

Giovanny Urshela (3B, Aguilas del Zulia): 0-4, 1 K. Urshela snapped his brief hit streak at four with his 0-for-4 night on Tuesday. He's still having an impressive offseason campaign in Venezuela as he his batting .356 with three homers and 30 RBI's in 36 games. Over his last 10 games, including Tuesday, the Tribe third base prospect is still batting over .300 with three doubles and six RBI's.

Puerto Rican League

Alexis Pantoja (SS, Tiburones de Aguadilla): 0-3, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 SB. It was an evening of firsts for Pantoja despite not recording a hit as he drew his first walk and stole his first base of the offseason as Aguadilla edged Caguas 5-4 in extra innings on Tuesday. The 20-year-old infielder is now batting .268 with two doubles, two triples and three RBI's in 15 games so far in Puerto Rico.

Dominican Winter League

Abraham Almonte (DH, Toros del Este): 1-4, 1 R, 1 K, 1 SB. Almonte has now recorded a hit in five straight games and seven of the nine games he's played in this winter. Coming off a year in which he served a suspension and was barred from postseason participation with the Indians, the Dominican native is now batting .359 for Toros so far and is currently slated to platoon with Tyler Naquin in center field for the Indians in 2017.

Jordan Smith (RF, Toros del Este): 1-4, 1 RBI. Smith is only four games into his winter ball season and so far is 3-for-13 (.231) and as yet to record an extra base hit. He did drive in his second run for Toros and has drawn three walks against two strikeouts. Smith is coming off his third season playing for Akron where he finished strong batting .271 overall with seven homers, 26 doubles and 49 RBI's in 97 games with the RubberDucks.

Ronny Rodriguez (2B, Aguilas Cibaenas): 0-2, 1 BB, 1 K. Rodriguez has been on a hot streak of late batting over .400 over his last 10 games, including Tuesday where he went 0-for-2. But while he's been doing impressive things when swinging the bat, he's also shown better patience over the last few games drawing four walks in as many contests with only one strikeout. Heading into that stretch, Rodriguez had a ratio of two walks against 20 strikeouts in 26 previous games.

Erik Gonzalez (SS, Leones del Escogido): 0-3, 1 K. Gonzalez has just joined the winter ball action in his native country after spending time in Cleveland at the end of the season where he batted .313 in 21 games. In 104 games for Columbus, the 25-year-old batted .296 with 11 homers, 31 doubles and 53 RBI's. So far in four games, it's been more of the same batting .294 with a double and two RBI's. Gonzalez will likely get strong consideration to be the Indians' primary utility player next season now that Jose Ramirez is starting at third base.

Jesus Aguilar: "The key is believing"

Wednesday 7 | 9:07 a.m.

Naranjo Diego Cevallos || @ Diegonaranjo16

Although the Caracas Lions have not had the year that was expected, they remain close to the qualifying spots. This situation generates optimism to first baseman of the Lions, Jesus Aguilar , who admitted that everyone in the clubhouse is still hoping to play in the postseason.

" The key is to believe , to believe that we can do the things we have to do and stay positive, that is important , " Aguilar stated. The team coached by manager Alfredo Pedrique has won seven of their last eleven games. "We are playing good ball, the negativity is gone. We went out to pick up some games and things have gone well for us , we are doing our job and that's what we have to do , "he analyzed.

Jesus Aguilar has batted .286 with four homers in 77 games and has driven in eleven runs, scored 13 and received 14 walks. However, the author of 18 home runs in the 2013-2014 season has failed to produce the home runs that were expected of him.

"I do not care about homers, to me the only thing I care about is winning , " Aguilar said. "I know people want to see home runs, it is something that I pride myself in , but when things are not going as expected, everyone should realize that hitting with men in scoring position is also important and now that we are beginning to win, people no longer are fixed on home runs. Now things are starting to go better and already I am back to hitting home runs . "

The team from the capital is a team that is designed to provide homers to have figures like Felix Perez , Alex Gonzalez , Jesus Guzman and Jesus Aguilar himself . However, Henry "The Chicken" Rodriguez is the team leader in homers with six. Aguilar, after his home run last night, is the author of five homer, one behind Rodriguez. No matter, the important subject now is to get the victories they need.

"I always go out with the mentality to win" , contributed Aguilar. "Whether home runs by the Chicken or Felix (Perez) or even Tovar (Wilfredo), we just want to win. I'm not here for personal numbers. What interests me is winning regardless of who is the hero. "

One of the most important contributions that Aguilar, who belongs to the Cleveland Indians, can provide his team is defense at first base . "I think a good defense wins ballgames" , Aguilar, who won Gold Glove in 2013-2014 LVBP said . "Not all the time can we have a whole team hitting at the same time, sometimes good defense gives the team a lift."

If all fat boy Aguilar cares about is winning during his winter league, he needs to be dumped by the Tribe. How about working on your weaknesses that are preventing you from being a useful Major League player.

2B: Almonte 2 (3, Darnell, Nunez, J)
RBI: Almonte 3 (6); RBI: Diaz, Y (14);
2-out RBI: Almonte 3
E: Rodriguez, Ro (11, fielding); Aguilar (2, fielding)

Abraham Almonte

The Bulls defeat the Giants again in Micheli

LA ROMANA

Los Toros del Este defeated for a second day the Gigantes del Cibao, this time 5-1.

The victory was credited to opener of the Bulls Bryan Evans , who pitched 6.0 innings, one run, three hits, four strikeouts. Until five innings did not allow any hits, giving a base on balls.

Evans was followed to the mound by Edwar Cabrera , facing 9 batters in 2.1 innings, no runs, two walks. He was followed in the ninth by Preston Guilmet , who got the final two outs of the game.

Losing was the Giants starter Logan Darnell, faced 17 men in 3.2 innings, 4 hits, 5 runs, one run, one walk, four strikeouts and hit one batter. He was followed by Sandy Rosario (4), Anyelo Gomez (6), Johnny Nunez (7) and Reymin Guduan in the eighth.

Excelling offensively for the Bulls were Abraham Almonte 2-4, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs; Eugenio Velez 2-3, two RBIs and a run scored; Hector Gomez 2-3, two runs scored, and Austin Wynns 1-3, a run scored.

For the Giants Leury Garcia 1-2, one RBI and Melvin Mercedes 1-3.

Eagles pecked the lion's den

Wednesday 7 | 11:23 pm

Raul Perez / @enriul

Aguilas del Zulia stopped a run of three consecutive defeats compiling eight runs to three for the Caracas Lions in the stadium University of the capital.

The Eagles stung first in the second inning with two runs driven in on a double by Jose Pirela and sacrifice fly by Wilson García.

In the third inning the Lions scored three runs. Danry Vasquez walked leading off the inning. Wilfredo Tovar singled. Yandy Diaz followed with a base hit driving in Danry Vazquez. Gregorio Petit drove in the second run on a sacrifice fly. Henry Rodriguez drove in Diaz with a base hit to center.

With the score 3-2, both teams engaged in a pitching duel until the seventh inning rally by the Eagles broke open the scoring four times.

And at the top of the ninth, the visitors put the final touches on the game thanks to a two - run homer by Reynaldo Rodriguez.

The victory went to Gabriel Moya, while the reverse went to Fernando Nieve . With this defeat and the triumph of the Navegantes del Magallanes , Leones del Caracas again will be in the last place in the standings.

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE

Abraham Almonte (Toros del Este, DH): 2-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI – Almonte carries his team with a huge night at the plate. Both of his hits were extra-base and tripled his extra-base total in 10 games this offseason. He drove in three of his team’s five runs, driving his RBI total up to six in 43 at-bats with the Toros del Este.

Jordan Smith (Toros del Este, RF): 0-3, 2 BB, Outfield assist – Smith was hitless on the night but found other ways to make his mark on the game. He still walked twice and threw out a runner at home to end the sixth inning. In five offseason games, Smith is hitting .188 (3-for-16) with two RBI and a .381 OBP.

Erik Gonzalez (Leones del Escogido, SS): 2-3 – Gonzalez now has two two-hit games in six offseason contests and is hitting .350 (7-for-20) overall. He only has one hitless game this far but has walked just once to six strikeouts.

Ronny Rodriguez (Aguilas Cibaenas, 1B): 1-4, K, E – Although Rodriguez’s first-inning single ended a two-game hitless streak, the infielder has now hit in eight of his last 10 games. In that stretch, he is hitting .429 (15-for-35) and is batting .336 in 32 games this offseason with 12 RBI and a .376 OBP.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE

Giovanny Urshela (Aguilas del Zulia, 3B): 1-4, 2 R, BB – Urshela is hitting .344 (52-for-151) in 38 games this offsesason, but he drew just his fourth walk on Wednesday. He’s struck out just 15 times, so the four walks don’t look as bad, but it’s still a concern when you’ve already got 150+ plate appearances under your belt.

Yandy Diaz (Leones del Caracas, LF): 1-4, R, RBI, BB – Diaz now has hits in nine of his last 10 games and is hitting .358 (38-for-106) in 27 Venezuelan Winter League games this offseason. The third baseman/outfielder has 13 RBI with 12 walks and 20 strikeouts.

Jesus Aguilar (Leones del Caracas, 1B): 0-3, 3 K, HBP – It was an ugly night at the plate for Aguilar, who struck out in three plate appearances and was beaned in the other. Luckily, this was the first multi-strikeout game for the slugger in nine games, and he hasn’t been bad with K’s this offseason, striking out just 17 times in 25 games (84 at-bats) to go along with 14 walks.

Guillermo Quiroz (Tigres de Aragua, PH): 0-1 – Quiroz lined out to second in his only plate appearance, ending the game. The veteran backstop is now hitting .152 (5-for-33) in 13 games with the Tigres de Aragua this offseason with two RBI, three walks and 10 strikeouts.

Randy Valladares: (Bravos de Margarita, RP): 0.1, Perfect – Valladares got his only hitter to fly out to end the top of the sixth. The left-hander has appeared in eight games this offseason but has only amassed three innings. He’s walked two and struck out three thus far.

12/8/16

Yandy Diaz Left Game in the top of Fourth Inning
Jesus Aguilar Left Game in the top of Fourth Inning

Caracas.-

Leones del Caracas and Margarita Braves clashed Wednesday at the stadium Nueva Esparta and the Lions win 8-1.

The Lions started the scoring in the first inning managing three runs on the heals of Anderson de la Rosa, Felix Perez and Ramon Cabrera and punished the starter for Zulia John Anderson.

The next inning was a festival of hits by Caracas converting them into four more runs and thus increased the lead to 7-0.

The fifth was also productive for the Lions as they managed their final run. The offensive has awoken lately as the cats have won four of its last five games.

Margarita got on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning scoring their only run of the game. Leading the way for Caracas was starter Jhoulys Chacin, who got the victory by pitching six innings and two thirds, seven hits, one unearned run, two walks and four strike outs. The losing pitcher for Margarita was starter John Anderson.

FROM THE FIELD

Alfredo Pedrique announced that Luke Irvine will open this Friday against Braves. Saturday's starter remains Wilmer Font ...

Andres Espinoza , assistant hitting coach, took over for Yorvit Torrealba as first base coach ...

Yandy Diaz left the game in the top of the fourth inning with a sore left wrist. Tomorrow will be subjected to an X - ray to check its condition, according to a press office tweet....

Jesus Galindo took over center field and Danry Vasquez went from center to left field replacing Diaz ...

Henry "The Chicken" Rodriguez was ejected from the game in the fifth inning after after a dispute with the first base umpire, Carlos Leal....

Yhoxian Medina went to cover third base in his place ...

Jesus Aguilar also left the game as a precaution, after a blow to the knee during the opening of the fourth inning.

First base was occupied by Harold Castro ...

Alex Gonzalez left with discomfort in one shoulder. The coaching staff expected him to be out between three and five days ...

Asdrubal Cabrera will report next Monday with Leones del Caracas ...

Elias Diaz , returned to action after two days of inactivity with a shoulder injury. However, he left the game in the fifth. Alex Monsalve took over for Diaz .

11/8/16

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE

Ronny Rodriguez (Aguilas Cibaenas, 1B): 2-4, K – The second baseman put up his fifth multi-hit game in his last 10 contests. He’s hitting .353 (12-for-34) in that stretch and .336 (39-for-116) in 32 games overall with the Aguilas Cibaenas.

Erik Gonzalez (Leones del Escogido, 3B): 0-4 – Gonzalez had just his second hitless game out of seven games in the Dominican Winter League this offseason. The infielder is now hitting .292 (7-for-24) with two RBI and a .346 OBP.

Jordan Smith (Toros del Este, RF): 0-4, 3 K – It was a rough night at the dish for Smith, who has now struck out five times in his seven at-bats covering two games. He’s collected three hits in 20 at-bats this offseason, has two RBI and has walked three times.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE

Giovanny Urshela (Aguilas del Zulia, 3B): 1-4, R, RBI, BB, K – Urshela now has collected a hit in eight of his last 10 games and is hitting .316 in that stretch. Although Urshela’s low walk rate (just five free passes now through 39 games and 155 at-bats) have been well documented in this column, he’s drawn two in his last two games.

Jesus Aguilar (Leones del Caracas, 1B): 2-4, R, 2 K – Aguilar has been hitting well this offseason (.284 in 26 games), but he has now struck out five times in his last two games (seven at-bats). Luckily, K’s haven’t been too much of an issue for the slugger this offseason as he has only fanned 19 times in 88 at-bats and has 14 walks.

Yandy Diaz (Leones del Caracas, LF): 1-2, BB, K – Diaz still has just one hitless game in his last 10 games. On the season, the 25-year-old is hitting .357 (40-for-112) in 29 games this offseason with 14 RBI, 14 walks and 21 strikeouts.

Yhoxian Medina (Leones del Caracas, 3B): 0-1 – Medina pinch-hit for Henry Alejandro Rodriguez in the eighth inning and flew out to left field. Over his last 10 games, Medina has only registered five at-bats and has seen just 25 at-bats in 21 games this offseason.

Randy Valladares (Bravos de Margarita, RP): 0.2 IP, Perfect, 0 K – Valladares did his job again on Thursday, shutting down the two hitters that he faced. The left-hander has only allowed one earned run over his last 10 games pitched, but he’s only amassed 3.2 innings over that stretch.

Guillermo Quiroz (Tigres de Aragua, C): 1-4, R, BB, 3 K – The veteran backstop has now registered two three-strikeout games in his last four contests. He’s struck out 13 times in his 37 at-bats this offseason and is hitting .162 (six hits) in 14 games.

Yandy Diaz

Yandy Diaz Left Game in the top of Fourth Inning

Yandy Diaz left the game in the top of the fourth inning with a sore left wrist. Tomorrow will be subjected to an X - ray to check its condition, according to a press office tweet....

[I'm guessing Yandy jammed his wrist in the top of the third inning on the force out at third shown in the above photo. Yandy Diaz was on second base with a hit and Jesus Aguilar followed with another hit. Anderson De La Rosa then grounded into a force out, shortstop Gabriel Noriega to third baseman Daniel Mayora and Yandy was out at 3rd. Nothing in the papers today, so, I assume nothing series. Same with Aguilar. A line drive, one-hopper mashed his knee. No articles on Aguilar, so, I assume nothing series here either]