Winter League Report for Oct. 27

WINTER LEAGUE REPORT

October 27, 2014

The Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants are down to the final acts in a drama that is the 2014 World Series. While fans are on the edge of their seats wondering how that story will end, the rest of the baseball world is busy preparing and hoping to be the stars of next year's performance. Every week, this report will update stats from around the winter leagues, news and transactions involving former Iowa Cubs players, and notes from around the Chicago Cubs organization.

 

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE

GIGANTES DEL CIBAO (5-1, 1st Place)

MIGUEL BATISTA, RHP (Played with Iowa in 1997): 1G, 1.0IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, K

The 43-year-old Batista last pitched in the big leagues in 2012, appearing in 30 games with the New York Mets and five games with the Atlanta Braves. He pitched in eight games (seven starts) with triple-A Buffalo in the Toronto Blue Jays' organization in 2013.

BROOKS RALEY, LHP (2012-13): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1GS, 4.0IP, 2H, 3BB, 2K

Raley made his Dominican debut on Oct. 22 at Toros del Este. The Minnesota Twins claimed Raley off waivers from the Cubs in February and he started the season at Triple-A Rochester. On May 8, the Los Angeles Angels claimed him off waivers and assigned him to Salt Lake. Raley was limited to six games (five starts) due to injury and was out-righted off the Angels' 40-man roster in June.

AGUILAS CIBAENAS (5-2, 2nd Place, 0.5 GB)

MANNY RAMIREZ, OF (2014): 6G, .227 (5-for-22), 2R, 2DBL, HR, 6RBI, 4BB, 6K

The Cubs created quite a buzz around the baseball world when they signed Manny last May and assigned him to be a player/coach with the I-Cubs. Manny was a mentor to his triple-A teammates for a couple of months this season, but it also seemed clear that Manny wasn't ready to shed the player part of his title. That is even more clear now that he is playing winter ball and not working an instructional league. Ramirez has been the designated hitter in all of his games with Aguilas. His only home run so far was a two-run shot off former I-Cub Ryan Rowland-Smith on October 21.

FRANK BATISTA, RHP (2012, '14): 1-0, 0.93 ERA (1ER/9.2IP), 2GS, 11H, 2BB, 6K

Batista has been the primary closer at double-A Tennessee the last three seasons, but is starting in winter ball. He pitched five shutout innings to earn the win in his first game on August 20 at Gigantes. He currently ranks fifth in the league in ERA and innings pitched.

TOROS del ESTE (5-3, 3rd Place, 1.0 GB)

JEFF ANTIGUA, LHP (2013-14): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2G, 1.2IP, 2K

Antigua waited eight days before his first and second appearances, but hasn't allowed a baserunner.

ALBERTO CABRERA, RHP (2011-14): 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2G, 1.2IP, 2BB

Cabrera was out of options when he lost his 40-man roster spot at the end of spring training and spent the entire 2014 season with Iowa. This will be an important off-season for Cabrera to re-establish his major league potential.

RAUL VALDES, LHP (2005-06): 1-0, 3.00 ERA (4ER/12.0IP), 2G, 2GS, 6H, HR, 3BB, 10K

Valdes began the 2014 season in the big leagues with the Houston Astros, but was traded to the Blue Jays on May 19. He finished the season at triple-A Buffalo was was 5-5 with a 4.00 ERA (36ER/81.0IP) in 23 games (12 starts) for the Bisons. He is currently leading the DWL in innings pitched, ranks second in opponents' average (.143), tied for third in strikeouts, fourth in WHIP (0.75), and is eighth in ERA.

ESTRELLAS de ORIENTE (4-3, 4th Place, 1.5 GB)

JUNIOR LAKE, OF (2013-14): 7G, .259 (7-for-27), 7R, HR, 3RBI, 2BB, 5K, 3SB

After an 0-for-7 start, Lake has hit safely in five straight games and homered off Victor Marte on October 24. He has played left field in all seven games, is tied for the league-lead in stolen bases, and ranks fourth in runs scored.

RAFAEL DOLIS, RHP (2012-13): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1G, 1.0IP, H, K

Dolis was the Chicago Cubs' closer for a time in 2012, but couldn't throw enough strikes to stick in the big league bullpen. He signed with the San Francisco Giants before the 2014 season, but was released on May 22 after four appearances at triple-A Fresno. With a strong performance in the DWL, he could get a minor league contract and an invitation to spring training with a club.

MARCOS MATEO, RHP (2010-11, '13-14): 0-1, 10.80 ERA (4ER/3.1IP), 4G, 2/2 SV, 3.1IP, 5H, BB, 5K

Mateo's early season numbers are inflated by a bad outing on Oct. 21 when he allowed four runs in a third of an inning and gave up a two-run homer to Teoscar Hernandez of Toros del Este. Mateo has allowed just one hit combined in his other three appearances and is tied for the league-lead in saves.

STARLING PERALTA, RHP (CUBS PROSPECT): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1G, 1.0 IP

Peralta will turn 24 on November 11 and spent all of the 2014 season with high-A Daytona. In 33 games (two starts), he was 6-3 with a 3.43 ERA (31ER/81.1IP) and earned two saves. He displayed a live arm, allowing just 64 hits while striking out 86. He will gain valuable experience by facing a lot of veteran hitters in winter ball.

RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH, LHP (2012): 0-0, 3.60 ERA (2ER/5.0IP), 2G, 1GS, 2H, 3BB, 3K

Rowland-Smith was a great story to open the 2014 season, pitching both for and against the Arizona Diamondbacks in their season-opening trip to his native Australia. He mad a total of six big league appearances with Arizona this year before becoming a free agent on April 21. He was signed and released by both the Blue Jays and the Cincinnati Reds during the season after pitching at triple-A with both organizations. The only runs he has allowed in the DWL came on a two-run homer by Manny Ramirez.

LEONES del ESCOGIDO (2-6, 5th Place, 4.0 GB)

FRANKIE DE LA CRUZ, RHP (2012): 0-0, 3.86 ERA (1ER/2.1IP), 3G, 2H, 2K

De La Cruz pitched for Monterrey in the Mexican League in 2014 and was 4-3 with a 3.67 ERA (25ER/61.1IP) in 12 starts.

CARLOS PIMENTEL, RHP (2014): 0-1, 18.00 ERA (6ER/3.0IP), 2G, 1GS, 10H, BB, 3K

Pimentel is off to a slow start in the DWL after an up-and-down year with Iowa where he split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen.

TIGRES del LICEY (1-7, 6th Place, 5.0 GB)

DIORY HERNANDEAZ, INF (2012): 8G, .258 (8-for-31), 2R, HR, 3RBI, BB

Hernandez didn't play affiliated baseball during the 2014 regular season. He spent the 2013 season with Campeche in the Mexican League.

MARCO HERNANDEZ, INF (CUBS PROSPECT): 3G, .400 (2-for-5), 2R, 2B, K

Hernandez hit .270 (119-for-441) with 13 doubles, three home runs, 55 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in 122 games as Daytona's primary shortstop in 2014. He hit over .300 in three of the first four months of the season, but hit just .179 (17-for-95) in 27 games in August.

MITCH ATKINS, RHP (2008-10): 0-2, 4.32 ERA (4ER/8.1IP), 2GS, 8.1IP, 7H, 9R, 4HB, BB, 3K

After being released by the Washington Nationals in 2012, Atkins signed with the independent Somerset Patriots to open the 2013 season before signing with the Atlanta Braves. He split the 2014 season between triple-A Gwinnett and double-A Mississippi in 2014. Atkins is one of three pitchers currently leading the DWL with two losses.

 

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE

CARIBES de ANZOATEGUI (13-2, 1st Place)

JACKSON MELIAN, OF (2003): 10G, .324 (11-for-34), 4R, 2DBL, 3B, HR, 5RBI, 3BB, 7K, SB

Melian hasn't played affiliated baseball since 2010, but he is still seining a big bat for his home town team in winter ball. He started the DWL season on a six-game hitting streak that included four multi-hit games.

TIGRES de ARAGUA (8-4, 3rd Place, 3.5 GB)

WILSON CONTRERAS, C (CUBS PROSPECT): 6G, .300 (6-for-20), 5R, 2HR, 6RBI, 2BB, 6K

Contreras played 80 games for Daytona in 2014 and hit .242 (68-for-281), with 14 doubles, five home runs, 37 RBI, and 40 runs scored. He is currently riding a four-game hitting streak for Aragua, including three-hit game on October 15.

LEONES del CARACAS (7-8, 4th Place, 6.0 GB)

JOSE ASCANIO, RHP (2008-09): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3G, 3.0IP, H, BB, 6K

Ascanio just finished his second season in the Mexican League. He hasn't pitched in affiliated baseball since 2011 when he was in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

YOANNER NEGRIN, RHP (2012-14): 0-3, 6.43 ERA (10ER/14.0IP), 4GS, 20H, 14R, HR, 6BB, 10K

Negrin has been one of the top performers in the VWL the last couple of years, but is off to a slow start this year. He lasted just 2.2 innings in his last stat on Oct. 25 at Zulia.

MIGUEL SOCOLOVICH, RHP (2012): 0-0, 3.00 ERA (1ER/3.0IP), 3G, H, HR, BB, 5K

Socolovich was only briefly with Iowa at the end of 2012 after the Cubs claimed him off waivers from Baltimore. He spent all of 2014 with Las Vegas and finished 2-2 with a 3.64 ERA (24ER/59.1IP) and three saves in 51 games for the 51s. He had three scoreless appearances and earned a save in a four-game series against the I-Cubs at Principal Park in August.

TIBURONES de La GUAIRA (6-9, 5th Place, 7.0 GB)

Former Iowa manager Buddy Bailey is the manager for La Guaira this season, but none of the current players have a Cubs connection.

NAVEGANTES del MAGALLANES (5-8, 6th Place, 7.0 GB)

JUAN APODACA, C (2012): 3G, 0-1, R

Apodaca played for Lancaster in the independent Atlantic League this season and hit .277 (72-for-260) with 18 doubles, five home runs, and 32 RBI in 79 games.

RONNY CEDENO, INF (2004-05, '07): 8G, .276 (8-for-29), 3R, 3DBL, 5RBI, 5BB, 6K

Cedeno began the 2014 season with triple-A Lehigh Valley in the Phillies organization and was called up to Phildelphia on June 6. He was 0-for-9 in seven games before getting traded to the Diamondbacks on June 29. He hit .343 (46-for-134) with three home runs and 23 RBI in 41 games with Reno to finish the year and is currently a free agent.

BRAVOS de MARGARITA (5-11, 7th Place, 8.5 GB)

Former Cub Henry Blanco is managing Margarita this year. He played for the team last season. The former catcher played two games with Iowa on a Major League rehab assignment in 2007.

ALBERTO GONZALEZ, INF (2013): 16G, .348 (23-for-66), 7R, 2DBL, 4RBI, 2BB, 5K, 1/3SB

Gonzalez began the season at triple-A El Paso in the San Diego Padres' organization, but was released on April 23 after hitting .208 (11-for-53) in 19 games. He joined Reynosa in the Mexican League in July and finished the season there. He currently leads the VWL in at-bats, ranks second in hits, and eighth in batting.

CARDENALES de LARA (2-13, 8th Place, 11.0 GB)

EDUARDO FIGUEROA, RHP (2014): 0-0, 7.11 ERA (5ER/6.1IP), 4G, 2GS, 8H, 6R, HR, 4BB, 6K

Figueroa made eight appearances (one start) with Iowa this season and was 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA (5ER/13.0IP). He spent most of the season at double-A Tennessee and also one start at Daytona. He has allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits in four innings combined in his two starts for Lara.

 

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE

CHARROS de JALISCO (9-5, 1st Place)

MARQUEZ SMITH, INF (2010-11): 14G, .220 (11-for-50), 6R, 2B, 3HR, 6RBI, 6BB, 10K, SB

Smith spent most of his season at high-A Bakersfield in the Reds organization, but also played 14 games at double-A Pensacola in the Southern League. Smith hit .323 (137-for-424) with 29 home runs and 126 RBI in 120 games at Bakersfield. His 131 total RBI led all of minor league baseball. He is one of five players tied for fifth in Mexico with three home runs.

YAQUIS de OBREGON (7-6, 3rd Place, 1.5 GB)

CHRISTIAN VILLANUEVA, 3B (2014): 2G, .222 (2-for-9), 2R, 2B, 2RBI, BB, K

Villanueva hit .211 (47-for-223) with 18 doubles, six home runs, and 26 RBI in 64 games with Iowa to begin the 2014 season. He went to double-A Tennessee after the All-Star Break when Kris Bryant came up to join the I-Cubs. Villanueva hit .248 (58-for-234) with 20 doubles, four home runs, and 32 RBI in 62 games with the Smokies to finish the year.

NARANJEROS de HERMOSILLO (6-8, T-5th Place, 3.0 GB)

JESSE ESTRADA, RHP (2008-09): 0-0, 0.87 ERA (1ER/10.1IP), 5G, 10H, HR, BB, 4K

The 6'8 Estrada is the tallest pitcher in franchise history. Estrada didn't pitch over the summer. He last appeared in El Paso when his hometown had an independent team in the American Association. He has pitched more than one inning in each of his appearances with Hermosillo.

TOMATEROS de CULIACAN (6-8, T-5th Place, 3.0 GB)

ROBERT COELLO, RHP (2011): 0-0, 1.17 ERA (1ER/7.2IP), 7G, 7.2IP, 3H, 6BB, 7K

Coello opened the 2014 season with triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the New York Yankees organization, but was released on July 2. On July 11, he was signed by the Baltimore Orioles and spent the rest of the season with their triple-A club in Norfolk.

RODRIGO LOPEZ, RHP (2012): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1GS, 4.2IP, 3H, 3R, 0ER, BB, 6K

Lopez will turn 39 years old in December. He hasn't pitched since winter ball last season and last appeared in the regular season in 2013 with Mexico City in the Mexican League. His first start was on October 24 against Mazatlan.

 

PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE

Teams will open play in Puerto Rico on October 30.

 

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE

MESA SOLAR SOX (9-7, 2nd Place, 3.0 GB)

JACOB HANNEMANN: 9G, .226 (7-for-31), 2R, 2B, 4RBI, BB, 9K, 0/1SB

After starting 1-for-18 in his first five games, Hannemann has locked in at home place and is 6-for-13 with two RBI and two runs scored in his lat three games. The Cubs drafted Hannemann in the third round of the 2013 draft out of BYU and Baseball America rated him as the organization's 17th-best prospect entering the 2014 season. He hit .254 (87-for-342) with 14 doubles, six home runs, and 39 RBI in 88 games with Kane County before getting promoted to Daytona in July. He hit .241 (35-for-145) with nine doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI in 36 games in the Florida State League.

BIJAN RADEMACHER, OF: 5G, .429 (9-for-21), R, 2B, 3B, 3RBI, BB, K, 3SB

Rademacher is on the "taxi-squad" and is only eligible to play twice a week for Mesa. He has at least one hit in every game and has recorded two hits in each of his last four games. The Cubs drafted Rademacher in the 13th round in 2012 out of Orange Coast Community College in California. He hit .281 (108-for-384) with 22 doubles, six triples, 10 home runs, and 56 RBI in 111 games with Daytona in 2014.

ADDISON RUSSELL, SS: 11G, .196 (9-for-46), 8R, 2B, 2HR, 10RBI, 3BB, 13K, SB

Russell is rated among the top five prospects in all of minor league baseball and has left the Solar Sox after a two-week stint. He missed time before the Cubs acquired him from Oakland in July due to hamstring injuries, so he was in the AFL for a second year just to make up on for some lost at-bats. He finished strong with two home runs, including one in his last at-bat, and seven RBI over his final three games. Russell hit .294 (57-for-194) with 12 home runs and 36 RBI in 50 games with Tennessee in the regular season after joining the Cubs.

DAN VOGELBACH, 1B: 11G, .229 (8-for-35), 7R, 2DBL, 3RBI, 8BB, 10K

Vogelback also got off to a slow start with just one hit in his first four games, but is 5-for-14 with a pair of RBI in his last four games. The Cubs drafted Vogelbach in the second round of the 2011 draft and Baseball America rated him as the organization's ninth-best prospect entering the 2014 season. Vogelbach hit .268 (129-for-482) with 28 doubles, 16 home runs, and 76 RBI in 132 games with Daytona this year.

ZACH CATES, RHP: 0-0, 8.10 ERA (6ER/6.2IP), 5G, 10H, HR, 3BB, 4K

Five of the six runs Cates has allowed came in one tough outing on October 21 at Surprise when he gave up seven hits, including a three-run homer, in an inning and a third of work. The Cubs acquired Cates from the Padres in the same deal that brought Anthony Rizzo to Chicago in 2012 and Baseball America rated him the organization's 27th-best prospect entering 2014. Cates combined to go 3-2 with a 4.08 ERA (24ER/53.0IP) in 36 games between Daytona and Tennessee this year.

GERARDO CONCEPCION, LHP: 1-0, 7.56 ERA (7ER/8.1IP), 5G, 7H, HR, 7BB, 5K

The Cubs signed the 22-year-old Concepcion to a five-year major league contract after he defected from Cuba in 2012. He has battled injuries and command issues in his brief time in the organizations. He had his most productive season in 2014, going 4-2 with a 3.32 ERA (22ER/59.2IP) in 29 relief appearances between rookie Mesa, Kane County, and Daytona. He walked 23 and struck out 55 on the year.

C.J. EDWARDS, RHP: 1-0, 2.57 ERA (2ER/7.0IP), 3GS, 5H, 5BB, 6K

Edwards is widely considered the top pitching prospect in the Cubs' organization. Baseball America ranked him third overall in the organization entering the year. Edwards was sidelined by a shoulder injury after just three starts at Tennessee, but did return to make six starts in August. He was 1-2 with a 2.44 ERA (13ER/48.0IP) in 10 starts with the Smokies overall. With a strong showing in the AFL and a healthy run through spring training, Edwards would be a candidate to start 2015 in Iowa's starting rotation.

IVAN PINEYRO, RHP: 1-0, 3.86 ERA (3ER/7.0IP), 3G, 2GS, 8H, HR, 3BB, 7K

Like Edwards, Pineyro spent a considerable amount of time on Tennessee's disabled list in 2014 and finished 0-4 with a 5.55 ERA (30ER/48.2IP) in 11 starts for the Smokies. The Cubs acquired Pineyro from the Washington Nationals in exchange for Scott Hairston in July of 2013.

All stats on this report were current as of games on October 26. Stats are courtesy of Major League Baseball Advanced Media. For comments, questions, and links on the Winter League Report, contact Iowa Cubs Broadcaster/Director of Media Relations on Twitter @RandyWehofer or via email at [email protected]