Cleveland Sports Forum

Carlos Vargas halts winter ball plans after getting big league call:

Published: Sep. 16, 2022, 7:43 p.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Guardians rookie Carlos Vargas was selected earlier this week by Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League’s first-year player draft.

The right-hander was finishing up his pregame throwing program at Triple-A Columbus on Thursday when he approached Clippers pitching coach Rigo Beltran about whether or not he would be allowed to pitch during the winter ball season.

Betran asked the right-hander if he would rather be pitching in the US or in the Dominican, goading him by asking where he would make more money.

“I said ‘In the US,’ and he said ‘Well congratulations, you’re going to the big leagues,’” Vargas said.

The conversation echoed a talk Vargas had with his father earlier in the week.

“When I got chosen by del Licey, my dad told me ‘You’re not going to pitch for them, you’re going to pitch in the major leagues,’” Vargas said. “As soon as I called him, that’s everything he told me. ‘I told you you’re not going to pitch in winter ball, you’re going to pitch in the majors. You have nothing to do here in the DR, so stay there and try to pitch your best there.’”

For Vargas, 22, who spent last season recovering from reconstructive elbow surgery the journey included missing the 2020 season because of the pandemic and Tommy John surgery that cost him the 2021 season.

He split this year between Double-A Akron and Columbus compiling a 4.15 ERA in 23 games. His season began June 19 with Akron before being promoted to Columbus on Sept. 3. With Columbus he appeared in four games, allowing a run while striking out 12 in six innings. He will be the 16th Guardian to make his major league debut when he appears in a game.

“Really I just wanted to have a full, healthy year,” Vargas said. “I just tried to get called up and be ready enough to have a shot of staying with the team. That was my goal.”

Manager Terry Francona said the club saw an opportunity to get some experience for Vargas, who was already on the 40-man roster.

“This is one of those instances where we have a four-day period before we need a starter,” Francona said. “Who knows how much he’ll pitch? But hoping that it will help his progression and his development, just by being here for a few days.”

Vargas said he is proud to join a clubhouse that’s not only filled with a lot of familiar faces that were playing with him in the minors, but also a strong Dominican presence, led by Jose Ramirez, Amed Rosario and Emmanuel Clase.

“It’s a source of pride to be able to play alongside those guys with everything we’ve gone through and everything we’ve learned,” Vargas said. “Most importantly, I know I have that direct access to ask them whenever I’m doing something that’s not right or not doing the right thing. I feel comfortable that they can help me along in my career.”

Prospects Jaison Chourio and Oscar Cedeño hope to debut in the league

Super User 12 October 2022

Maracaibo.- The Zulia Eagles continue to strengthen their roster by signing prospects Jaison Chourio and Oscar Cedeño, both players belong to the Cleveland Guardians in the MLB system and are in the rapacious team's preseason

Jaison Oneel Chourio, is the younger brother of Jackson Chourio considered the second best prospect in MLB, he is 17 years old and defends center field and comes from playing in the rookie league of the Dominican Republic where he went 132-37 in 40 games

“ I am very happy to have signed with the Eagles, this is a dream for me to be able to be here with this uniform ” highlighted the player from Maracaibo.

In the history of the team there are several pairs of brothers who have worn the team uniform in the same campaign, such as Alex and Richard Delgado and the trilogy of the Zambrano brothers, Eduardo, Roberto and José Luis

Jaison and Jackson also want to join the group, as stated by Chourio's youngest " We have talked about playing together as we have done since we were children, waiting for him to arrive and see if that dream of ours comes true, " said the player who took his first steps in the little league Cacique Mara.

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While infielder Oscar Cedeño also hopes to debut this season in the LVBP, the 19-year-old switch hitter played this year in the Dominican Republic with the Cleveland Guardians team. In 85 at-bats he hit 22 hits with two doubles and three triples

Cedeño has been part of the team's first inter-squad games defending second base " In the days that I have practiced I feel that I have improved receiving advice from many more experienced players " said the player born in the town of Santa María south of Lake Maracaibo

When signing with the Cleveland Guardians, Cedeño stands out for his defense, speed and good projection of being a power hitter. This year rookie league was alternated between second base, shortstop and third base

“ I spoke with Yonathan Perlaza, we are from the same town, he told me how important it is to play here because it is very different from the minor leagues and you have to prepare well mentally, ” he emphasized .

November 9, 2020.

Maracaibo.- The sports management of the Zulian team acquired via exchange from the Navegantes del Magallanes the prospect Gabriel Rodríguez for Engelb Vielma.

Rodríguez signed as a shortstop with the Cleveland Indians organization, but has the projection of being able to finish as a third baseman due to his strength. He is considered among the top 10 prospects in the tribe.

The new harrier is 18 years old and is a native of Maturín. In 2019 at two levels in the rookie league he hit 48 rockets in 208 at-bats for an average of 231, 10 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 39 RBIs and an OBP of 321

This is the team's third move this year after the arrival of Héctor Sánchez for Jairo Pérez from Tiburones and catcher José Godoy from Caribes for Herlis Rodríguez.

SANTO DOMINGO (Licey.com).-

The Tigres del Licey announced the hiring of outfielder Trenton Brooks and reliever Yaya Chentouf, as reinforcements for the 2022-23 season of the Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic, dedicated to Don Tomás Troncoso Cost.

Both players were added in place of Cuban receiver Lorenzo Quintana, who is in an immigration process to travel to the country. While the outfielder Taylor Kohlwey, who is in the Taxi squad since his organization, the San Diego Padres, are playing for the Major League postseason.

Brooks, 27, is a player who measures 6'0 and weighs 195 pounds, belongs to the Cleveland Guardians, bats and throws left-handed.

In 2022, playing for the Columbus Clippers, a Triple-A branch of that organization, he left a batting average of .273, with an on-base percentage of .367, with 33 extra-base hits, 48 ​​RBI and 46 runs scored in 87 games.

“Brooks is a hitter with extra-base power, who can play in the corners of the outfield and at first base, his control of the strike zone and his defensive versatility fit the profile we have designed for our team,” said the player. general manager, Audo Vicente.resize=600%2C380&ssl=1[/img]

October 15, 2022 SS Jose Tena assigned to Estrellas Orientales.

Stars beat Giants, Riner Núñez hits 2 home runs

SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORÍS.- The Stars defeated the Gigantes del Cibao this Thursday (5-2), at the Julián Javier Stadium, from here, in a game of blanks, as part of the preparation of both teams, for the tournament of local professional baseball, which will begin next Saturday, dedicated to the memory of the late commentator Tomás Troncosco.

Rainer Núñez hit two home runs and Marco Luciano hit another, to lead the attack of 9 hits for the Stars.

Núñez batted 2-for-4, with 4 RBIs. Luciano went 4-1. His home run was solo. José Tena added two hits (one of them a double) in 4 times at bat. Luis Toribio connected 3-2.

Jorge -George- Valera (2-1) and Wilfred Veras (4-1) linked an hit for each one, for the team of the green banner, which exhausted its calendar of blank games, in preparation for the season.

The starting pitcher for the Stars was Lázaro Blanco, designated to start on Tuesday, against the Leones del Esgido, already within the championship. He will be preceded in the starting rotation by (in that order) Yennsy Diaz, Phillips Valdez and Shawn Anderson.

October 15, 2022 OF George Valera assigned to Estrellas Orientales.

Stars beat Giants, Riner Núñez hits 2 home runs

SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORÍS.- The Stars defeated the Gigantes del Cibao this Thursday (5-2), at the Julián Javier Stadium, from here, in a game of blanks, as part of the preparation of both teams, for the tournament of local professional baseball, which will begin next Saturday, dedicated to the memory of the late commentator Tomás Troncosco.

Rainer Núñez hit two home runs and Marco Luciano hit another, to lead the attack of 9 hits for the Stars.

Núñez batted 2-for-4, with 4 RBIs. Luciano went 4-1. His home run was solo. José Tena added two hits (one of them a double) in 4 times at bat. Luis Toribio connected 3-2.

Jorge -George- Valera (2-1) and Wilfred Veras (4-1) linked an hit for each one, for the team of the green banner, which exhausted its calendar of blank games, in preparation for the season.

The starting pitcher for the Stars was Lázaro Blanco, designated to start on Tuesday, against the Leones del Esgido, already within the championship. He will be preceded in the starting rotation by (in that order) Yennsy Diaz, Phillips Valdez and Shawn Anderson.

Brayan Rocchio will reinforce Tiburones for the 2022-2023 season

Caracas,August 31, 2022 VTV

Tiburones de La Guaira continues to put together its best team to face the 2022-2023 season of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.

This time the sharks announced the signing of Brayan Rocchio, through his social networks the General Manager of the Guaireña troop posted a message to welcome his new addition.

Currently, Rocchio is part of the minor leagues of the Cleveland Guardians. The prospect has 14 home runs on his account this season.

Both the sharks and the player expect him to be able to uniform from the first day with the team.



Brayan Rocchio Retweeted
Guardians Prospective
@CleGuardPro
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Oct 12
#Guardians 21-year-old switch hitting (SS) prospect Brayan Rocchio back home in Venezuela getting ready to participate in the upcoming Venezuelan Winter League.

INF Angel Martinez

The 20-year-old infielder started the season at High-A and finished it at Double-A Akron, hitting .278/.378/.471 in over 400 plate appearances. The switch hitter, who can play shortstop or second base, punched above his weight class all season, hitting 13 homers, stealing 12 bases, keeping his strikeouts down, walking plenty and playing good defense. Cleveland has a glut of middle infield talent above him. In many other organizations, he might be looked at as an emerging prospect. Martinez is headed to the Arizona Fall League next month and is Rule 5 eligible this winter and Cleveland must protect him.

Andres Gimenez will play for Venezuela in 2023 WBC: Guardians takeaways

Published: Oct. 04, 2022, 6:39 p.m.

the Guardians announced that Gimenez has committed to playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic in March. He will join fellow Venezuelans Miguel Cabrera, Jose Altuve and Luis Arraez.

“It’s a big honor,” said Gimenez.

Manager Terry Francona understands.

“If I was Gimi, I would want to represent my country,” said Francona. “I get it. It’s a big honor. But you worry.”

The WBC will be played March 8-20, right in the middle of spring training for big league teams.

“Whatever’s good for baseball,” said Francona. “OK, I get it. I think it scares all of us. Especially your pitchers that you’ve asked a lot of them. There are certain guys you might want to ramp up a little slower than normal and yet if they play in that, they’re playing in competition way earlier. That’s scary

“With the position players you grin and bear it. Nobody likes not having your guys around in spring training.”

José Tena: "I went out to look for the fast ball"

by LIDOM News | Oct 17, 2022 | OE | 0 comments

SAN PEDRO DE MACORIS. José Tena went hunting last night and got the prey he was looking for.

“He went out to look for the fast ball. I looked at the first one and I connected on the second”, Tena declared, through a press release, about the pitch to which he connected his RBI single off of Endy Rodríguez, the run that decided the victory this Sunday for the Stars 1-0 over the Toros del Este.

"I was focused on connecting up the middle (of the field)", said the young player about his attitude at the plate, in the eighth inning, against left-handed pitcher José who came in to pitch to Tena (left-handed hitter), relieving the losing pitcher Wandisson Charles (0-1).

Rodríguez opened the inning with a single against Charles and advanced to second base, due to a deflected pitch from Charles to the plate. After striking out Marco Luciano and rookie Luke Williams, José came in to pitch against Tena.

"He is a clutch hitter, who can help win in many ways," said manager Fernando Tatis about Tena, who like Rodríguez and Luciano, is a rookie in the Dominican League this season, which has only been two days.

Phillis Valdez pitched the first 4.0 scoreless innings for the Stars. Second time a Star starter has had that kind of performance. A day before, Yennsy Díaz did it, also against the Toros, at the Francisco Micheli Stadium, in La Romana.

“We know what Phillips can do. When that sinker and slider of his are on, like today, he's very hard to hit,” Tatis observed.

“My sinker, my slider and my cuttter (against southpaws) were fine today,” Valdez said. "I used little of my change, but it worked too."

Valdez was relieved by Domingo Robles (2.0 IP), Gerson Moreno (1.0 IP), Diógenes Almengó (1.0 IP) and Wirfin Obispo (1.0 IP), who earned a save, the 60th of his career in the Dominican League. Almengó was credited as the winning pitcher.

The victory was the first for the Stars (1-1), in their home debut (Tetelo Vargas Stadium).

The most outstanding for the team were: Tena (4-1, with one RBI); Rodríguez (3-1, with a run scored); Sunday Leyba (3-1).

For the Toros: Marco Hernández (3-1); Cristian Adames (3-1) and Danny Santana (4-1).

The Stars will meet this Monday (7:30 pm) against the Águilas Cibaeñas, at the Cibao Stadium, in Santiago. The American Shaun Anderson will be his starting pitcher.

Tena and Velera are batting 1-2 in the Estrellas lineup tonight. Tena singled and scored in the first inning

jose Tena Estrellas SS/3B G4 AB16 R1 H3 RBI2 W1 SO3 AVG188 OBP222 SLG188 OPS410

George Velera Estrellas RF/LF G4 AB12 H1 W1 SO3 AVG083 OBP154 SLG083 OPS237

Trenton Brooks Licey RF/DH G4 AB15 R1 H4 2B1 HR1 RBI3 W2 SO6 AVG267 OBP353 SLG533 OPS386

NEWS

TWO INFIELDERS AND ONE PITCHER

THREE MORE SIGNINGS

08/12/2022

Today the Tiburones general management, through César Collins, announced the hiring of three new players to reach 11 signatures in the last three weeks.

They are right-handed pitcher José Urbina and infielders Yaikel Mijares and Adrián Gil.

For their part, Mijares and Gil, both 16, share characteristics. Both perform well at various infield positions, but Mijares is a natural shortstop and Gil plays second and third, as well as having catching ability.

“I am proud to be part of this organization. I always dreamed of wearing this shirt. The energy of their fans is motivating. I have a lot of baseball teammates on this team. I have shared a lot with Brayan Rocchio and he conveyed to me how good it feels to be part of this family. Thanks to the management and the entire team for believing in me”, said Mijares, who is signed by the Cleveland Guardians in the minor leagues.

He had a recent trip to the Dominican Republic with the Guardians that served as an experience in his development as a player. "I felt good. My defense and offense is ready for the play."

As for his message to the fans he expressed; with security and confidence, that good things are coming for the team in the future.

Trenton Brooks (Licey, DH): 1-3, 1 BB, 2 K – Brooks reached base twice for the second straight night as he extended his season-opening on-base streak to four games.

Jose Tena (Estrellas, 3B-SS): 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 SF – Tena, who moved to short as part of a string of defensive changes in the seventh inning, started the Estrellas scoring in the third inning with a sac fly to left.

George Valera (Estrellas, backup RF): 0-1, 1 K, 1 E – Valera came into the game in the seventh in the aforementioned flurry of defensive moves and struck out in his only plate appearance in the ninth, failing to drive in an insurance run from third.

Jose Tena (SS, Estrellas): 2-for-5, R, SB – Tena had a pair of hits from the lead-off spot for Estrellas and swiped a bag. He started the bottom of the first with a bunt single towards third base and singled to right on the first pitch he saw in the eighth frame. He took second base on the steal on the sixth pitch of Valera’s at-bat.

Trenton Brooks (1B, Lacey): 0-for-4 – Brooks missed the mark on four at-bats Wednesday and three of those came with runners in scoring position. He was relieved in the bottom of the ninth with the potential winning run standing on third base.

George Valera (RF, Estrellas): 0-for-5, SB – Valera had a day to forget after failing to record a hit in his five at-bats and striking out three times. He did, however, steal second base after reaching on a fielder’s choice in the first inning.