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Panama
Another quality start out of Danny Salazar.

11-30-2011 17:09

Asian Series

Samsung beats SoftBank to win Asia Series
Samsung Lions’ players toss manager Ryu Joong-il in the air as they celebrate their 5-3 victory against Japan’s SoftBank Hawks in the 2011 Asia Series final at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Cho Mu-hyun

Samsung Lions defeated Japan’s SoftBank Hawks, Tuesday, to become the first Korean team to win the Asia Series.

The Lions won 5-3 in the final at the Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium, Taiwan, in front of over 10,000 fans.

Korean clubs were twice thwarted by Japanese teams in previous finals with their best finish previously as runner-up. The Lions lost to the Lotte Marines in 2005 and the SK Wyverns were beaten by the Chunichi Dragons in 2007.

The Asia Series began in 2005 on an initiative by the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), halting in 2009 but starting again this year. All four past winners were from Japan.

Samsung were thrashed 9-0 by the Hawks in a round-robin preliminary match on Saturday, but evened the score with Tuesday’s win to claim the 550 million won ($480,000) first-place prize money.

“I feel great since this is the first victory for Korea and because it was against Japan,” said manager Ryu Joong-il, who couldn’t conceal his joy. “We won over SoftBank today, but facing the Japanese players was indeed a challenge.”

The 48-year-old added: “The players, and myself included, have grown in confidence after winning the trophy in a very difficult situation. I think the championship experience will help immensely in planning next year’s stratagem.”

Ryu went on to praise starting pitcher Jang Won-sam, who showed impeccable control, conceding only one run and five hits in six innings. The left-hander was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the series for his stellar performance in the final.

The 28-year-old, who had only three days rest before taking the mound, thanked his team as he held up the MVP plaque: “I gave everything I had in my pitches. I want to thank coach Ryu and the staff for a year of hard work.”

Samsung went into the final with both catcher Jin Gap-yong and infielder Shin Myung-chul ruled out due to injuries.

The Lions then made a bleak start, with all their batters striking out in the first inning, while the Hawks’ Honda Yuichi had an RBI double thanks to Matsuda Nobuhiro long hit to left field.

SoftBank’s pitchers dominated Samsung until the third inning when the Lions’ batters started to withstand the Japanese assault.

The 5th inning saw a change of fortune when Jung Hyung-sik had a decisive hit to centerfield for two RBIs with Lee Jung-shik and Kim Sang-su making it home. With two outs, Park Suk-min’s hit contributed one run, and Kang Bong-kyu added two more to put the Lions ahead 5-1 at the end of the fifth.

The lead was threatened in the eighth inning when Hasegawa Yuya hit deep into the outfield to score two runs for his team, but Ryu sent in saver Oh Seung-hwan who secured the victory.

The Korea Baseball Organization is currently in talks with the relative associations to host next year’s Asia Series.

I guess we might consider the Korean win a major upset.

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Venezuela

Leones Against the Tigers in Maracay

Jesus Aguilar returns to the ring tonight

Wednesday November 30, 2011 11:34 a.m.

Caracas .-

The manager of the Lions of Caracas, Rick Sweet, is characterized by waiting until game day to talk about their lineup, but with Jesus Aguilar made ​​an exception. "I can assure you that Jesus will play on Wednesday," Sweet said on Monday, just after falling 10-4 to Magellan. Aguilar was showcased this weekend at the plate and Sweet made ​​him him hitting cleanup, although he is only 21 years old.

On Sunday before Lara Cardinals hit his first homer in Venezuela. "It's was special to me," he confessed. For the second worst offense in the league (.233 collective average) Aguilar picked up 4 RBI in 5 games, including a double and a homer. However, on Monday before arch rival Magallanes, Aguilar was placed on the bench to make way for the rookie Justin Ruggiano and Yorvit Torrealba, and the return of Jesus Guzman.

"I spoke to Aguilar before the game and explained that he will still get his turns," said Sweet. "He's a great guy who will remain part of our lineup."

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Nationals scouting Cuban slugger Cespedes

Rizzo in Dominican Republic to watch 26-year-old outfielder

By Bill Ladson / MLB.com | 11/29/11 11:56 PM EST
WASHINGTON --

A few days before going to the Winter Meetings in Dallas, the Nationals are searching for a center fielder.

According to a baseball source, general manager Mike Rizzo is currently in the Dominican Republic scouting outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, a five-tool player from Cuba who is expected to become a free agent sometime this offseason. Rizzo has been looking at Cespedes the last couple of days. The Nationals are one of several teams showing interest in Cespedes.

The Nationals believe Cespedes is big league ready. He is a right-handed-hitting slugger who could join Michael Morse and Jayson Werth in the middle of the lineup.

"It's really touchy feely," Cespedes' agent, Adam Katz, said to MLB.com early this month. "He's an unusual guy. He's 26. He's Major League ready. ... A value will be established. People will bid competitively, and it will be what it will be."

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Venezuela

As promised, manager Rick Sweet inserted Jesus Aguila into the lineup tonight. He's playing first base and is batting cleanup. Aguilar fanned his first trip to the plate but singled sharply to right field in his second at bat.

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Venezuela

Well- this doesn't look good..............
Paolo's tenure on the mound wasn't very productive. It's feast or famine for Paolo in his first visit to Venezuela.

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Venezuela

Aguilar had two more at bats in a losing cause. The Tigers beat the Leones 6-4. Aguilar had a sac fly in the fifth and flied out to second in the 8th.

flied out to second in the 8th

Even as an Aguillar fan, Joe, I can accept a pop up being called a pop up.

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Limonta plates five in Cardenales' slugfest

Mariners prospect falls double shy of cycle, scores two runs

Venezuelan Winter League

Lara 10, La Guaira 9

Mariners prospect Johan Limonta drove in five runs and fell a double shy of the cycle as the Cardenales outslugged the Tiburones. Royals infielder Alcides Escobar also had three hits and scored twice for Lara, while Giants prospect Hector Sanchez -- the league's leading hitter -- delivered a three-run double for La Guaira.

Aragua 6, Caracas 4

Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos singled twice, drove in a run and scored once as the Tigres grabbed a share of the league lead with their 14th home win. Hector Gimenez hit a solo homer and fellow Major League veteran Lastings Milledge scored twice for Aragua, while Mets catching prospect Juan Torres delivered a two-run single in a losing cause.
Johan Limonta finished 10th in the Pacific Coast League with a .319 batting average this season. (Jamie Harms/MiLB.com)

Caribes 4, Magallanes 1

Former big leaguer Ramon Ramirez allowed a run on four hits over six innings to help the Caribes shut down the Navegantes. Angels prospect Alexi Amarista hit an RBI single and walked twice for Anzoategui, while Astros infielder Jose Altuve went 2-for-3 with a run-scoring single for Magallanes.

Margarita 12, Zulia 5

Minor League veteran Javier Brito homered, drove in four runs, scored three times and came within a triple of the cycle in the Bravos' victory. Padres infielder Alberto Gonzalez went 3-for-6 with three RBIs out of the leadoff spot for Margarita, while Phillies farmhand Freddy Galvis fell a homer shy of the cycle and drove in a run for Zulia.

Dominican Winter League

Toros 13, Gigantes 4

Twins outfielder Wilkin Ramirez had two hits, two RBIs and scored twice to lead the Toros to their third straight win. Pirates prospect Matt Hague, former Braves Minor Leaguer Diory Hernandez and White Sox outfielder Alejandro De Aza also drove in two runs apiece for Este. Blue Jays prospect Moises Sierra slugged a two-run homer for the Gigantes.

Estrellas 6, Licey 5

Pirates newcomer Jake Fox capped a three-hit night with a walk-off single as the Estrellas halted a three-game slide. Braves farmhand Donell Linares went 3-for-4 with an RBI for Oriente, while White Sox prospect Christian Marrero and former Major Leaguers Juan Miranda and Anderson Hernandez homered for the Tigres.

Aguilas 7, Escogido 6 (12 innings)

Dodgers prospect Elian Herrera tripled, singled, scored three times and drove in a run as the first-place Aguilas outlasted the last-place Leones. Angels prospect Barret Browning got the start for Cibaenas and gave up two runs on two hits over 5 1/3 innings. Pirates prospect Starling Marte had two hits and scored a pair of runs for Escogido.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Ponce 3, Caguas 1

Former Minor Leaguer Giancarlo Alvarado struck out 10 and gave up a run on four hits over 6 1/3 innings as the Leones snapped the Criollos' three-game winning streak. Major League veteran Robinson Cancel homered and drove in three runs for Ponce, while Twins farmhand Aaron Bates singled home Caguas' lone run.

Mayaguez 4, Carolina 1

Travis Schlichting, who spent the regular season with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, struck out six over six shutout innings to help the Indios end a three-game skid. Former Major Leaguer Ruben Gotay was 4-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored, while Twins prospect Eddie Rosario chipped in three hits and drove in a run for Mayaguez.

Mexican Pacific League

Mazatlan 3, Culiacan 2

Major League veteran John Lindsey singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning as the Venados won for only the second time in eight second-half games. Nationals prospect Rafael Martin struck out two in 1 1/3 scoreless frames to get the win, while Padres catching prospect Ali Solis went 2-for-4 with a solo homer for the Tomateros.

Obregon 6, Hermosillo 5

Former Major Leaguer Victor Diaz hit his 11th homer and drove in two runs as the Yaquis rallied past the Naranjeros to grab sole possession of first place. Carlos Valencia delivered a two-run walk-off single and big league veteran Doug Clark contributed three hits and scored twice for Obregon. Cardinals prospect Mark Hamilton smacked a three-run homer for Hermosillo.

Guasave 7, Navojoa 4

Red Sox farmhand Tony Thomas had two hits, including a two-run homer, to help the Algodoñeros reach the .500 mark. Former Minor Leaguer Gabriel Gutierrez went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for Guasave, while Steve Moss and Wes Bankston went deep for the Mayos.

Los Mochis 13, Mexicali 8

Cardinals prospect Jermaine Curtis singled, drew three walks, drove in two runs and scored twice as the Cañeros avoided a third straight loss. Sandy Madera went 4-for-6 with four RBIs and scored a pair of runs for Los Mochis, while big league veteran Oscar Robles drove in five runs and came within a triple of the cycle for the Aguilas.

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Dominican Republic Winter League

•Juan Diaz (SS, Estrelles de Oriente): 0-for-0. Diaz did not record an official plate appearance as he was a late game defensive replacement since the starting shortstop was pinch hit for.

Venezuelan Winter League

•Paolo Espino (SP, Tiburones de la Guaira): 0.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R/ER, 0 BB, 1 K. It was a nightmare of an outing for Espino as he did not make it out of the first inning. He faced seven hitters in total, and after they went single, strikeout, double, single, single, triple, and single he was mercifully removed after recording just one out. He has now made 4 starts this fall and in two of them has allowed 5 runs or more in 2.0 or less innings, and in another outing allowed 4 runs in 4.0 innings. That is not very good and it may end up getting him released from his Venezuela team this winter.

•Jesus Aguilar (1B, Leones del Caracas): 1-for-3, RBI, K. Aguilar continues to play well this fall as in six games in Venezuela he is still hitting .286/.476/.571. The improved walk rate in Venezuela and the Arizona Fall League is nice to see.

•Rob Bryson (RP, Bravos de Margarita): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K. Another scoreless outing for Bryson and he has a nice 3.12 ERA in 12 appearances, but the 8 walks in 8.2 innings is not good at all.

•Ezequiel Carrera (CF, Navegantes del Magallanes): 0-for-4, K. Carrera has now played 28 games and piled up 114 at bats this fall. The .772 OPS is solid, but most importantly he is gaining much needed reps and game experience. He gets it, and it would have been nice had Matt LaPorta and Cord Phelps followed his lead to play winter ball and get some much needed extra work.

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Winter

He (Carrera) gets it, and it would have been nice had Matt LaPorta and Cord Phelps followed his lead to play winter ball and get some much needed extra work.

Gotta believe that!!!! I've stated the obvious on several occasions. I'm not so critical of Phelps as I am of LaPorta. A super opportunity for LaPorta to improve on his shortcomings and become the player we hoped he would be. You would think that, on a team that is looking for corner fielders with some power and the ability to hit for some kind of average would be more than willing to make that final push. Just my opinion.

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Panama
Another nice effort by the three amigos in Panama.

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Panama
Wright, Salazar, and Murata have been dominant while pitching for the Roneros in Panama. All three made the all-star squad. Clarification--This is a four team league, still some impressive numbers with many minor leaguers and natives of the home land participating. All three are in Panama to work on their game and add more innings to their 2010 season which were delayed due to injury.
STEVEN WRIGHT

Wright was selected by the Indians in the 2nd round of the 2006 Draft out of the University of Hawaii. He was the first of four second round picks for the Indians in the 2006 Draft, but he did not pitch for the Indians in 2006 since he signed a 2007 contract. Wright is an impressive, consistent strike thrower who commands his fastball well and knows how to pitch. He throws a mix of four pitches led by a fastball that consistently clocks in at 90-92 MPH which has topped out as high as 95 MPH when he was at Hawaii, and complements it with a slider, curveball, and changeup. His plus slider is his best pitch, and is a pitch he has a ton of confidence throwing and coming out of college was considered the best slider in the entire 2006 Draft. He is starting to gain a lot more confidence in his curveball and starting to believe he can throw it in any count. He also throws a changeup, but it is a work in progress and more a show pitch. The Indians had worked with Wright's delivery and made some minor adjustments with his mental approach to get him to focus less on his mechanics and more on just attacking hitters and getting his fastball located in the zone. He is working more on actually "pitching", reading hitters, and making quicker adjustments. Wright is currently working on a new pitch....a knuckler which is one of the main reasons he is pitching in Panama.
TORU MURATA

The Indians signed the Japanese free agent right-handed pitcher Toru Murata to a minor league contract. The 25-year old stands in at 6'0" 176 pounds and throws a fastball that tops out at 92 MPH. He throws two different fastballs, a cutter and forkball, and complements the two fastballs with a slider, curveball, and changeup. As a former #1 pick of the Yomiuri Giants in 2007, Murata was recently released by the Giants on December 2nd. In three seasons in the minors in Japan he went 2-10 with a 4.56 ERA in 43 appearances. He pitched a total of 96.2 innings and allowed 115 hits, 7 home runs, 42 walks, and had 64 strikeouts. He pitched stateside in the Arizona Fall League in 2009 for Scottsdale and in nine games went 1-2 with a 5.73 ERA (11.0 IP, 10 H, 3 HR, 3 BB, 8 K). "He is a former first round pick of the Yomiuri Giants," said Scouting Director John Mirabelli when reached for comment. "He is a high profile prospect who pitched in the AFL and showed ability to get future major league hitters out. He is still only 25 with upside and we feel our Player Development people can help him get back on track." Reason for being in Panama.
DANNY SALAZAR

Salazar was signed by the Indians as an undrafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic during the International Signing Period in July 2006. He made his stateside debut in Instructional League in 2007 and in the rookie level Gulf Coast League in 2008. Salazar has a three pitch mix of a fastball, slider and changeup. His plus fastball sits between 89-92 MPH while touching 94 MPH. He pitches off his fastball and relies on it a lot, and the pitch has good late movement and he commands it well by throwing good strikes in the zone. He has a good feel for a changeup at such a young age, and it is his best secondary pitch at the moment showing good tumbling action. He also flashes an average slider with late, hard bite that hitters have no chance at when he is on. He is a former shortstop and moves around well, so that excellent athleticism will help him make adjustments more easily and in a shorter timeframe. He shows great composure and good makeup. The main focus for him this coming season is getting him more consistent with his delivery, command, and refining his secondary stuff. Also, the Indians would like to see him pile up more strikeouts since they think he has the stuff to do it, and they believe he will start to increase the strikeout total once he more consistently gets ahead of hitters so he can get to his quality out pitches. He is a sleeper prospect to watch who has some helium.

REASONS TO BE IN PANAMA

Danny Salazar was limited to just 14 2/3 innings this season between rookie ball and Class A Lake County as he worked his way back from Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old right-hander probably wouldn't have been picked in the Rule 5 Draft, but the Indians obviously didn't want to risk losing him.

Indians minor league pitcher Steve Wright has added a knuckleball to his arsenal, and with the help of former Tribe knuckler Tom Candiotti and making strides with it. 14 strikeouts and 12 walks. I guess the 12 walks can be expected learning to throw that pitch. Again-practice, practice, practice.

Toru Murata: "He is a former first round pick of the Yomouiri Giants," said Scouting Director John Mirabelli when reached for comment. "He is a high profile prospect who pitched in the AFL and showed ability to get future major league hitters out. He is still only 25 with upside and we feel our Player Development people can help him get back on track."

CARACAS .-

Manny Acta has received several calls these days. Rick Sweet, manager of the Lions of Caracas and Asdrubal Cabrera himself called the pilot of the Cleveland Indians to help them get the permission of the organization for him to debut at shortstop in Venezuela in 2011-2012.

Sweet, who addressed Acta, said he made ​​some calls and admitted that in a perfect world and with the permission of Cleveland, Asdrubal would play with the Lions next week. "I called Manny and asked him to help us get the approval from them (the Indians).

In an ideal world, he would play next week " , said the new American manager, Sweet. Cabrera, who yesterday finally joined the Caracas Lions, admitted the version advanced by journalist Efrain Ruiz, indicating that Cleveland has not allowed him to play was pre-mature, but believes that this position will change in the coming days. "I think they will give me permission, because they know that I want to play. They may have said no, they do not want me to play but it is still the best I play, because I want to start when I'm ready. I think it will take seven to 10 days to be prepared. My agent will travel to the U.S. on December 4 to process the permit, "said Cabrera when asked about the possibility of playing. What is a fact is that Cabrera will be uniformed and practicing with the Lions now and definitively onward. "I will travel with the team and get in tune for my debut this season. One of the things I told Manny Acta is that it really helped me playing here last year, " said the player owns the silver bat for shortstop in the American League.