Cleveland Sports Forum

Winter Ball Participants To Date:

Oct SS Juan Brito assigned to Toros del Este.
Oct SS Angel Martínez assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
Oct SS José Tena assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
Nov 3B Jhonkensy Noel assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
Nov SS Milan Tolentino assigned to Aguilas de Mexicali.

Added:
Nov LF Johnathan Rodriquez Assigned to Gigantes de Carolina
Nov SS Gabe Arias assigned to Crabbers de Santurce

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Caguas, Puerto Rico (November 24, 2023). A single by Juan Yépez in the seventh inning led the Cangrejeros de Santurce to a 2-1 victory over the Criollos de Caguas in the continuation of the Brava Lubricants Cup, for the 2023-2024 season, of the Professional Baseball League Roberto Clemente (LBPRC).

The Cangrejeros had to wait for the relief team to take charge of the mound to be able to execute their offense, make salt and water of Farell's perfect game and step on the plate. The reliever who allowed Santurce's first two runs was Bryan Salgado. The right-hander opened the seventh inning with a strikeout to Albert Almora and then gave a walk to first base to Roy Morales. Then, Gabriel Arias hit the first hit of the night for the cangrejera cause, which was a double to left field. Immediately afterwards, Juan Yépez hit a single that brought home two runs for Santurce and turned the score around, 2-1.

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Rookie Edrick Félix was the main offensive spark plug for the Carolina Giants to score a 6-3 victory over RA12 in the continuation of the Brava Lubricants Cup, for the 2023-2024 season, of the Roberto Professional Baseball League Clemente (LBPRC) at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

After the day, the tie moves to third position after the Criollos and the Gigantes equalized their record at 8-7. The Cangrejeros de Santurce continue in first position with a record of 11-4, followed by the Leones with a record of 9-6. For its part, RA12 is in fifth place with a record of 5-10 and the last place belongs to the Indians, who have a record of 4-11.

Félix went 4 for 4 with three RBIs and one scored. Additionally, he drew a walk. The infielder's batting average now stands at .340.

The first of the Giants' six runs came on the legs of Félix, with a double by Johnathan Rodríguez to left field off starter Roy Geigel's pitches in the same first inning.

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The Estrellas Orientales defeated the Leones del Esído 5-4 in a match held at the Quisqueya stadium in this city. The most notable: For the Lions , Michael Paierski 2-1 H3 1CA 2CE; Aderlin Rodríguez 2-1 H2 1CE and Franmil Reyes 4-2 H2 1CA 2CE.

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The most notable: For the Lions , Michael Paierski 2-1 H3 1CA 2CE; Aderlin Rodríguez 2-1 H2 1CE and Franmil Reyes 4-2 H2 1CA 2CE.

I think we need a translation of the translation.

CA = R
CE = RBI

Cleveland Guardians 2023 Top 50 Prospects, No. 46 INF Dayan Frias

Frias another young middle infield prospect to watch in the Guardians seemingly never ending stream

TODD PAQUETTE FEB 24, 2023 12:27 PM EST

ADDITIONAL INFO ON DAYAN FRIAS

Bio

Frias had a nice pro-debut in 2019 in the Dominican Summer League, but in 2021 he turned out to be one of the top players in the Arizona Complex League. Frias put up tremendous numbers, finishing second in the league OPS, third in AVG and OBP. After the season ended Frias competed in the Colombian Winter League where he continued to impress. He was then selected to play on Colombian roster for the Caribbean World Series. Colombia went on to win its first ever championship for their country.

2022 Season

Frias regressed at the plate from his terrific performance in 2021 in the Arizona Complex League making his debut in full-season ball at Low-A Lynchburg. Frias over 120 games hit .239 with a .344 OBP and slugged just .330 only producing 26 extra base hits on the season. While his walk rate decreased slightly from the prior season to 12.5% his strikeout rate raised almost 5% more to 24.9%.

After the 2022 minor league season Frias participated in the Colombian Winter League where he played a big part in his club winning the championship for the second straight season. Frias hit .318 with a .489 OBP and a .929 OPS over 24 games including the playoffs.

Frias went on to play in the play in the Caribbean Series for the second straight year and was named an All-Star at shortstop. He was selected to play for team Colombia in the upcoming World Baseball Classic and will be one of the younger players to participate in the tournament.

Scouting Report

Frias swings much harder from the left side of the plate which at times lent to more strikeouts and less contact from that side of the plate. In 2022 he only hit .231 and struck out 118 times compared to just 55 walks from the left side over 373 at bats. From the right side his swing looks to be more leveled, and conservative looking to make more contact and go the opposite way. From the right side he hit 55 points higher than they left at .286 and struck out just 10 times compared to 11 walks over 70 at bats. The increased strikeout rate in 2022 is a concern but may just be due to age and level of play.

Frias can play all over the infield, in 2022 he played 51 games at third base, 42 games at shortstop and 25 games at second base while at Lynchburg. Frias has an above average arm and is considered a plus defender at all three positions. One knock is his speed which is considered only average to slightly below average, but he makes up for it with his overall effort.

2023 and Future Outlook

Frias should open the 2023 season at High-A Lake County. If he can continue to develop at the plate and continue to mature physically, he could potentially be a starter at the MLB level or possibly a utility player at the very least. I am very high on this kid's potential moving forward despite his down year in 2021.

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World Baseball Classic - Final Stats:

G = 4
AB = 13
R = 0
H = 3
2B = 0
3B = 0
HR = 0
RBI = 2
BB = 0
SO = 6
SB = 0
CS = 0
AVG = 231
OBP = 231
SLG = 231
OPS = 462

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mid or late season Top Prospect Lists;

MLB.Com Frias is No. 25 for Cleveland; didn't make the Baseball America mid-season list, new rankings coming out soon

MLB writeup:
rias trained with two-time Gold Glover Orlando Cabrera in Colombia before signing with the Guardians for $80,000 in July 2018. The pandemic delayed his U.S. debut until 2021, when he ranked third in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League in hitting (.322) and on-base percentage (.420), and fourth in slugging (.520). After struggling in his first taste of full-season ball last year, he had a strong winter in Colombia, played in the World Baseball Classic and got off to a hot start in 2023.

In an organization loaded with infield prospects, Frias may have the best hands of all. Though he has fringy-to-average speed, his actions, quick hands and solid arm strength make him a plus defender at shortstop and perhaps better than that at second and third base. He has seen most of his action this season at the hot corner and profiles as a utility man.

Cleveland has worked with Frias to help him tone up his pudgy body in hopes that added athleticism will help him improve at the plate. A switch-hitter, he's showing a less aggressive approach in 2023 and doing a better job of making contact and using the entire field. He has the upside of a decent hitter who provides 15 homers per season while drawing a fair amount of walks.

Franmil Reyes in search of tying the record of consecutive games with a home run

By ALEXANDER GOMEZ

01/12/2023 · 03:03 PM

SANTO DOMINGO. -F ranmil Reyes, of the Lions, will seek tonight to tie the record of consecutive games hitting a home run at the Julián Javier Stadium in San Francisco de Macorís.

“La Mole” homered three days in a row, if he repeats the feat for the fourth time on this Friday night he will join Orlando McFarlane, Reggie Whittemore and Manny Alexander.

Reyes hit his eighth home run, this one 413 feet to do it for the third day in a row, against Licey (vs Ulises Joaquín).

McFarlane, of the Eagles, born in Eastern Cuba, hit five home runs in four straight games in the 1963-64 season.

The Stars' Whitmore also hit five home runs in four days. Whitmore was the home run leader with twelve in 1983-84.

Alexander, of the Stars, from San Pedro de Macorís, also had five home runs in four games according to the “Dominican Autumn Winter Baseball Record Book”

Reyes hit a four-seam fastball off reliever Alfredo Simón of the Águilas in the fourth inning 413 feet at a speed of 106.2 MPH.

Franmil is tied, with three straight games hitting a home run with; Dick Stuart, of the Eagles (1957-58); Tony Peña, from the Águilas (1985-86).

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Noel, two home runs and Arauz for the second game in a row led Estrellas' victory over Toros

By LIDOM EDITORIAL STAFF

11/27/2023 · 11:52 PM

Santo Domingo . Jhonkensy Noel hit two home runs, Lewin Díaz hit a three-run homer for the tie and Jonathan Arauz decided the game for the second consecutive day. Estrellas won the game when everything seemed lost by beating the Toros del Este 7-6 in 10 innings. Arauz's walk off hit left the Toros on the field.

https://youtu.be/BwH_y7zpdfQ

At the end of the tenth, Noel started at second base due to the so-called sudden death regulation and Arauz followed with a single to center to drive in the winning run, as he did on Sunday in the 1-0 victory over the Leones del Esgido.

Noel ended the game going 2-3, 3 RBI, 1 W, 2 K

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Jhonkensy Noel: “I wanted to play and I spoke with Cleveland, that's why I'm happy to be with the Stars”

By ALEXANDER GOMEZ

11/27/2023 · 06:33 PM

SANTO DOMINGO. -Prospect Jhonkensy Noel was eager to play in the Dominican League, he spoke with his organization and they gave him permission to do so.

“I wanted to play and I spoke with Cleveland, that's why I'm happy to be with the Stars,” Jhonkensy said when interviewed for Lidom TV.

He signed for $100,000 in 2017, and hit 51 home runs in 203 games the next two seasons, ranking sixth in the Minors with 32 at age 20 in 2022.

“I have made many adjustments at different levels when facing pitchers, hurting their mistakes is what I have to take advantage of”

He reached Triple A in September, in the International League after playing in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game in July, being added to the 40-man roster in November 2021.

“Cleveland gave me the green light to play, although I don't know until when, they didn't tell me, but I am very happy and pleased to play with the team from my home town”

Noel has the best raw power in the Guardians farm system and one of the best in the minors with his powerful swing, hitting the ball extremely hard and far.

“I spoke with Cleveland, a week before coming, I told them that I wanted to play here, when they told me yes, I reported to San Pedro de Macorís the next day”

Jhonkensy, in his debut, became the 25th player to homer in his first time at bat in the league, being the first to do so since the Dominican-Boricua Luis Campusano.

With this hit Jhonkensy became the fourth Star player with a home run in his first at-bat. The other three were Ed Ambrister, on Friday, November 16, 1973 at Cibao Stadium against Jackie Brown of the Eagles.

Drafted by Leones del Escogido in round 4 (pick #21) of the 2021 rookie draft, he was then traded from Leones del Escogido to Estrellas Orientales for infielder Marco Luciano last February.

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Guardians Prospect Showing Off Power In Winter League

By Tommy Wild | Last updated 11/28/23

Winter is a time for front offices to evaluate what their organization looks like. It's a time for fans to predict and project their favorite team's roster at the start of the next season.

For Jhonkensy Noel, it's time to mash home runs in the Dominican Winter League.

Noel is the Cleveland Guardians' 28th-ranked prospect (per MLB Pipeline), and is participating in the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) during the MLB offseason. He's gotten off to a hot start, already hitting three home runs in less than a week.

The first home run Noel hit came during his first at-bat in the Winter League. It was a 403-foot solo shot that sailed over the left field wall. He followed this up with a two-home run game on Monday night.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1729312924475273405

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One just wasn't enough for Jhonkensy Noel.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1729333042194387318

Noel has played in six total games for the Estrellas Orientales. He has a slash line of .211/.348/.684 and a 1.032 OPS in this span. Sure, the batting average is a little low, but there's a ton of promise in the power numbers, which is exactly what the Guardians are looking for at the Big League level.

This is a similar trend to what Noel has produced at the Minor League level. After ending the 2022 season with Triple-A Columbus, he slugged .420 with a .723 OPS during the 2023 season, all of which he spent in Triple-A.

Noel is a name to keep an eye on through spring training and into the start of the season, as his estimated time of arrival to the Big Leagues was 2023. The Guardians need an outfielder with some pop, and Noel brings this to the table.

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Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias recently made his winter ball debut for Santurce in Puerto Rico.AP



GUARDIANS

Guardians’ José Ramírez returns to winter ball, and his teammates follow

Updated: Dec. 01, 2023, 3:19 p.m.|Published: Nov. 30, 2023, 11:27 a.m.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It’s hard to keep José Ramírez away from the ballpark -- even in November.

Ramírez, the Guardians’ five-time All-Star third baseman, recently made his winter ball debut for Escogido in the Dominican Republic. In five games, he’s hitting .111 (2 for 18) with one homer and four RBI.

This is the first time Ramírez, 30, has played winter ball since the 2015-16 season when he was 22.

It’s unclear exactly why Ramírez decided to play in his native land at this point in his career. Perhaps he wants to get a head start on next season, his 10th in the big leagues for Cleveland.

He had a good 2023 season, but not exactly a José Ramírez year. In 156 games, featuring a career-high number of at-bats, he hit .282 (172 for 611) with 36 doubles, five triples, 24 homers and 80 RBI. He stole 28 bases in 34 attempts (82%), continued to show a good eye at the plate with 73 walks and 73 strikeouts and posted an .831 OPS.

In 2022, he finished fourth in the AL MVP voting. Last season he finished 10th.

Perhaps Ramírez is trying to set the tone for the young roster the Guardians have placed at his doorstep. If that’s the case, Ramírez’s teammates have taken the hint.

Gabriel Arias, who suffered a non-displaced fracture of the right wrist in late September, is playing for Santurce in Puerto Rico. Arias, who may or may not be Cleveland’s starting shortstop next season, is hitting .303 (10 for 33) with four doubles and two RBI in eight games.

Last season Arias played in 122 games, hitting .210 (66 for 315) with 10 homers and 26 RBI.

The Guardians, besides Ramírez, have several players playing in the Dominican.

José Tena, Angel Martínez and Jhonkensy Noel are playing for Estrellas. Tena is hitting .275 (22 for 80) with two doubles and four RBI in 22 games. Martínez is hitting .111 (3 for 14) in five games. Noel, 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, is hitting .167 (5 for 30) with three homers and three RBI.

Tena, in 18 games with the Guardians last year, hit .226 (7 for 31) with three RBI.

Martinez, who has not made his big league debut, hit .251 (132 for 525) with 14 homers and 79 RBI last season at Class AA Akron and Class AAA Columbus.

Noel, who has also yet to make his big league debut, hit .220 (114 for 519) with 23 doubles, 27 homers and 85 RBI last season at Columbus.

Juan Brito, acquired from the Rockies in the Nolan Jones trade, is hitting .167 (2 for 12) with one homer and three RBI for Toros del Este. Last season he hit a combined .271 (125 for 461) with 31 doubles, 14 homers and 75 RBI at Class A Lake County, Akron and Columbus.

In Mexico, infielder Milan Tolentino, a fourth-round pick in 2020, is hitting .400 (2 for 5) for Mexicali. Last season he hit .243 (90 for 370) with 20 doubles, five homers and 31 RBI in 99 games at Lake County and Akron.

First baseman Alfonso Rivas, claimed on waivers from the Pirates on Nov. 3, is hitting .439 (25 for 57) with three doubles, three homers and 12 RBI for Hermosillo in Mexico.

Last year he hit .229 (25 for 109) with three homes and 15 RBI in 48 games for the Pirates and Padres.

Right-hander Lenny Torres, a compensation pick between the first and second round in 2018, is 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA in nine games for Ponce in Puerto Rico. He’s struck out 17 and walked seven in 12 2/3 innings.

Torres went 5-2 with eight saves and a 5.03 ERA in 52 games last season for Lake County. He struck out 53, walked 34 and allowed 37 hits.

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Winter Ball Participants To Date:

Oct SS Juan Brito assigned to Toros del Este.
Oct SS Angel Martínez assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
Oct SS José Tena assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
Nov 3B Jhonkensy Noel assigned to Estrellas Orientales.
Nov SS Milan Tolentino assigned to Aguilas de Mexicali.
Nov LF Johnathan Rodriquez Assigned to Gigantes de Carolina
Nov SS Gabe Arias assigned to Crabbers de Santurce

Added:
Nov 1B Alfonso Rivas assigned to Hermosillo
Nov RHP Lenny Torres assigned to Crabbers de Santurce

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Ponce suffers its fifth setback in a row

November 30, 2023 • 10:11pm

Despite the appointment of Andy González as temporary manager, the Leones de Ponce suffered their fifth consecutive defeat this Thursday in the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (LBPRC) by falling 4-1 to the Carolina Giants in the Roberto Clemente Walker Stadium.

Carolina was the first to score a run in the game when Delvin Pérez's double to right field drove Yuto Kawamura home to give the Giants an initial 1-0 lead in the second inning. The Lions tied the game in the fifth inning, after an error by Giants reliever Ramesis Rosa.

But, the tie lasted briefly. The bottom of the inning began with Pérez reaching base on an error by Lions shortstop Edwin Díaz. Then, José Sermo was hit by a pitch and Pérez reached third base due to another error, this time by right fielder Yanquiel Fernández. JD González was retired by strikeout before Bryan Torres hit a fly ball to center field and Pérez scored the tiebreaking run for 2-1.

A solo home run by Johnathan Rodríguez in the sixth inning and a walk to Pérez extended Carolina's lead, 4-1.

Rodriguez was 2-4, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 K

Gabe Arias was 1-4 with 2 RBI For the Santurce Crabbers

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Why are 2 ss, Martinez and Tena, assigned to the same team? Sounds like Martinez is not getting much playing time.

Bryan Lavastida

Estrellas deliver third straight defeat to Tigres, in the first of a doubleheader
Lewin Díaz decides with a sacrifice fly and Bryan Lavastida steals home

Lidom Editorial

By LIDOM EDITORIAL STAFF

29/11/2023 · 07:13 PM

Santo Domingo . Lewin Díaz hit a tie-breaking sacrifice fly and Neftalí Féliz pitched a perfect ninth to lead the Estrellas Orientales to a 3-2 victory over the Tigres del Licey, in the first game of a doubleheader at the Tetelo Stadium Vargas.

The two teams meet later at 7:30 pm

Bryan Lavastida, who went 2 for 4 with one run scored, was involved in the Stars' last three runs, in addition to stealing home.

The Stars (18-14) were placed a game and a half, in second place, behind the Cibao Giants (19-11) who occupy the top.

Díaz hit the winning shot off Hansel Robles, who started the inning.

Robles struck out Jhonkensy Noel, but Jonathan Arauz and followed with consecutive singles that left runners on the corners.
It was the situation that Díaz found, who hit the winning shot in a 2-1 count.

At the top, the Tigres had tied the game 2-2, thanks to an RBI single by Miguel Andújar that drove in Emilio Bonifacio from second.
The game was won by Jefry Yan (2-0; 1.84), Féliz saved (8) and Robles lost (1-1; 4.66).

The Tigers scored one in the sixth against Jorge Martínez, with a triple by Jair David Camargo opening the inning, followed by an RBI single by Emilio Bonifacio against José Manuel Fernández, who replaced Martínez.

At the end of the inning, the Stars went ahead by scoring two runs after two outs.

The aggressive play of Bryan Lavastida was decisive, he first singled against Arodys Vizcaíno, who opened the inning and was replaced by Brady Feigl.
With Díaz at bat, Lavastida, from third base, broke toward the plate and completed the steal to put the Stars up 2-1.

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