Winter League Report for Nov. 3
WINTER LEAGUE REPORT
November 3, 2014
The Chicago Cubs announced Joe Maddon as the team's new big league manager today and it seems safe to assume that this won't be the last time headlines are made on the north side of Chicago this off-season. The renovation of Wrigley Field and the renovation of the Cubs are are two projects running parallel with the hopes of crossing in an upcoming October. Each week, we'll monitor the progress with news, notes, and winter league stats involving former, current, and future Iowa Cubs.
TRANSACTIONS
The first off-season step for most big league teams is clearing spots on the 40-man roster to have space ready for potential free agents and the addition of young players they want to protect from the Rule 5 Draft in December. Last week, the Cubs created space by outrighting OF Ryan Kalish, INF Chris Valaika, OF Josh Vitters, and RH James McDonald off the 40-man roster. Kalish and McDonald elected free agency. Valaika and Vitters are currently listed on Iowa's off-season roster, but aren't guaranteed to begin next season with the I-Cubs. Last week, the Cubs also picked up the option on RH Justin Turner, but declined their option on RH Kyuji Fujikawa, making the reliever a free agent. Reports over the weekend said RH Carlos Villanueva filed for free agency, declining his part of a mutual option he held with the team. At the time of this post, the Cubs' roster posted at Cubs.com doesn't reflect that report. On November 2, the Cubs announced a one-year deal with left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada. Wada was a mid-season All-Star selection for Iowa this year and was named to the all-PCL team. Wada went 4-4 with a 3.25 ERA in 13 starts for Chicago. The Cubs' 40-man roster is currently at 36 players (including Villanueva). The team must activate outfielders Justin Ruggiano and Ryan Sweeney from the 60-day disabled list at some point leading up to the Winter Meetings. According to the Associated Press, there are 157 players potentially eligible for free agency. There are four former I-Cubs on that list: LH Rich Hill (2005-06, '08), C Geovany Soto (2005-07, '12), LH Neal Cotts (2007-09), and OF Reed Johnson (ML Rehab in 2011). Free agents can negotiate with teams start at 12:01 AM on November 4.
In other news the following former I-Cubs were also outrighted off their club's 40-man rosters: OF Tony Camapana (2011-12) by the Los Angeles Angels, SS Andres Blanco (2008-09) by the Philadelphia Phillies, and OF Brett Jackson (2011-14) by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Blanco elected free agency. The following players also elected free agency: C Eli Whiteside (2014) from the Cubs, INF Ian Stewart (2013) from the Angels, OF Brian Bogusevic (2013) from the Miami Marlins, INF Ronny Cedeno (2004-05, '07) from the Diamondbacks, OF Tyler Colvin (2011) from the San Francisco Giants, and LH Raul Valdes (2005-06) from the Toronto Blue Jays. Bogusevic has already signed with the Phillies on a minor league deal and INF Nate Samson (2008, '12) re-signed on a minor league pact with the Diamondbacks. The Cubs re-signed LH Jeff Antigua (2013-14) and LH Hunter Cervenka on minor league deals.
DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE
TOROS del ESTE (9-4, 1st Place)
JEFF ANTIGUA, LHP (2013-14): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3G, 2.2IP, H, R, 0ER, 2K
Antigua has already re-signed on a minor league deal with the Cubs for the 2015 season.
ALBERTO CABRERA, RHP (2011-14): 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 3G, 2.2IP, 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 in order to be ready for spring training and a chance to re-establish his major league potential. He hasn't allowed a hit in his first three appearances.
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 a free agent. He leads the DWL in opponents' average (.143), is second in WHIP (0.75), and tied for sixth in ERA, but he hasn't made a start since Oct. 21.
GIGANTES DEL CIBAO (8-4, 2nd Place, 0.5 GB)
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. His only appearance was on Oct. 23 against Escogido.
BROOKS RALEY, LHP (2012-13): 0-1, 2.57 ERA (2ER/7.0IP), 2GS, 6H, 4R, 2HR, 4BB, 4K
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 outrighted off the Angels' 40-man roster in June. Raley gave up two-run homers to Austin Wates and Luis Jimenez in his last start against Estrellas on Oct. 28.
ESTRELLAS de ORIENTE (7-6, 3rd Place, 2.0 GB)
JUNIOR LAKE, OF (2013-14): 13G, .271 (13-for-48), 10R, 2B, HR, 7RBI, 4BB, 11K, 5SB
Lake faces a crossroads in his career. He hit just .211 (65-for-308) in 108 games with Chicago this season and came back to Iowa for a couple of weeks in August. If he doesn't rebound with a better season in 2015, he runs the risk of being bypassed by other young players in the Cubs' organization. He is leading the DWL with five stolen bases and is tied for fourth in runs scored.
RAFAEL DOLIS, RHP (2012-13): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3G, 2.1IP, 2H, 2K
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, 6.75 ERA (5ER/6.2IP), 7G, 5/5 SV, 6.2IP, 7H, 3BB, 13K
With the exception of one bad outing (4ER in 1.1IP on Oct. 17), Mateo has been a dominant force out of the Estrellas bullpen. He leads the league in saves, is tied for the league-lead with six games finished, and ranks fourth in strikeouts. He has struck out eight of the last 14 batters he has faced.
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. His only appearance for Estrellas was on October 25 at Aguilas.
RYAN ROWLAND-SMITH, LHP (2012): 1-1, 3.55 ERA (5ER/12.2IP), 4G, 3GS, 11H, 6BB, 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. He allowed one run in 5.1 innings for a win on Oct. 27 against Gigantes and ranks ninth in the DWL in ERA.
AGUILAS CIBAENAS (6-6, 4th Place, 2.5 GB)
MANNY RAMIREZ, OF (2014): 10G, .243 (9-for-37), 5R, 2DBL, HR, 8RBI, 5BB, 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 hit safely in seven of his 10 games, but has two multi-hit games. He can still put the bat on the ball. He has not struck out in 15 at-bats over his last four games.
FRANK BATISTA, RHP (2012, '14): 1-0, 1.46 ERA (2ER/12.1IP), 3GS, 16H, 4BB, 11K
Batista has been the primary closer at double-A Tennessee the last three seasons, but is starting in winter ball. In his last start, he pitched just 2.2 innings and was the first of 10 pitchers used in the game. Batista ranks second in the league in ERA.
LEONES del ESCOGIDO (4-9, T-5th Place, 5.0 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. His last appearance for Escodigo was Oct. 25.
CARLOS PIMENTEL, RHP (2014): 0-1, 13.50 ERA (6ER/4.0IP), 3G, 1GS, 11H, 7R, 2BB, 4K
Pimentel made just one appearance this week and pitched a scoreless inning in relief on Nov. 1 at Estrellas. After leading the I-Cubs in home runs allowed this season, Pimentel has not allowed a home run yet in the DWL.
TIGRES del LICEY (4-9, T-5th Place, 5.0 GB)
DIORY HERNANDEAZ, INF (2012): 13G, .265 (13-for-49), 3R, HR, 5RBI, 2BB, 2K
Hernandez didn't play affiliated baseball during the 2014 regular season. He spent the 2013 season with Campeche in the Mexican League. He has hit safely in six straight games, going 7-for-22 (.318) during this stretch.
MARCO HERNANDEZ, INF (CUBS PROSPECT): 8G, .333 (6-for-18), 4R, 2B, 3B, 3RBI, 2BB, 2K, SB
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. Hernandez has split his time between second base and shortstop so far with Licey.
JAIRO ASENCIO, RHP (2012): 2G, 0-0, 4.50 ERA (1ER/2.0IP), 3H, 5K
Asencio pitched for the Kia Tigers in Korea in 2014 and was 4-1 with a 4.23 ERA (24ER/44.2IP) and 19 saves. In 2013, he spent most of his season at triple-A Norfolk, but also made four appearances with Baltimore.
MITCH ATKINS, RHP (2008-10): 0-2, 7.27 ERA (7ER/8.2IP), 3GS, 10H, 12R, 4HB, 3BB, 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. In Atkins' last start on Oct. 30 against Auilas, he lasted just a third of an inning and allowed three runs on three hits while walking two.
RAMON ORTIZ, RHP (2011): 0-1, 6.00 ERA (2ER/3.0IP), 4H, 4R, HR, 5K
The 41-year-old Ortiz pitched for Tijuana in the Mexican League this past season and was 7-2 with a 4.38 ERA (38ER/78.0IP) in 14 starts. On June 2, 2013, Ortiz suffered a partial tear in the tendon of his right elbow while pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays in San Diego. The injury luckily didn't require Tommy John surgery and Ortiz was back to throwing in August of that year. It appears they'll have the tear the uniform off of him someday.
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE
CARIBES de ANZOATEGUI (18-3, 1st Place)
JACKSON MELIAN, OF (2003): 12G, .300 (12-for-40), 5R, 2DBL, 3B, HR, 5RBI, 4BB, 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 VWL season on a six-game hitting streak that included four multi-hit games, but is 2-for-17 in his last six games.
AGUILAS de ZULIA (15-5, 2nd Place, 2.5 GB)
No current players or coaches have Iowa Cubs ties.
TIGRES de ARAGUA (11-7, 3rd Place, 5.5 GB)
WILSON CONTRERAS, C (CUBS PROSPECT): 7G, .304 (7-for-23), 6R, 3B, 2HR, 7RBI, 2BB, 7K
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 five-game hitting streak for Aragua, including a three-hit game on October 15.
LEONES del CARACAS (10-12, 4th Place, 8.5 GB)
JOSE ASCANIO, RHP (2008-09): 0-0, 1.13 ERA (1ER/8.0IP), 7G, 5H, HR, BB, 11K
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. The only run he has allowed in seven games came on a solo home run by Balbino Fuenmayor of Caribes on Oct. 30.
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 is one of several pitchers tied for second in the VWL with three losses and hasn't pitched since Oct. 25.
MIGUEL SOCOLOVICH, RHP (2012): 0-0, 1.50 ERA (1ER/6.0IP), 6G, 3H, HR, BB, 10K
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. He has not allowed a run and has fanned eight in four innings over his last four appearances.
NAVEGANTES del MAGALLANES (7-11, 5th Place, 9.5 GB)
JUAN APODACA, C (2012): 4G, 0-1, R, K
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): 14G, .308 (16-for-52), 5R, 4DBL, 6RBI, 8BB, 10K
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. Cedeno has hit safely in seven straight games going back to Oct. 25 and is batting .333 (9-for-27) during this stretch.
BRAVOS de MARGARITA (8-13, 6th Place, 10.5 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): 21G, .318 (27-for-85), 10R, 2DBL, 6RBI, 4BB, 6K, 1/3SB
Gonzalez began the 2014 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 and ranks fourth in hits.
TIBURONES de La GUAIRA (6-15, T-7th Place, 12.0 GB)
Former Iowa manager Buddy Bailey is the manager for La Guaira this season, but none of the current players have a Cubs connection.
CARDENALES de LARA (6-15, T-7th Place, 12.0 GB)
EDUARDO FIGUEROA, RHP (2014): 0-0, 3.97 ERA (5ER/11.1IP), 5G, 3GS, 12H, 6R, HR, 7BB, 12K
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 pitched five shutout innings in his last start on Nov. 1 against Zulia. He allowed four hits, three walks, and struck out six. He left the game in a scoreless tie.
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE
YAQUIS de OBREGON (12-7, T-1st Place)
CHRISTIAN VILLANUEVA, 3B (2014): 5G, .211 (4-for-19), 2R, 2B, 2RBI, BB, 3K
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. He has served as the designated hitter in all five of his games for Obregon.
CHARROS de JALISCO (11-9, 3rd Place, 1.5 GB)
MARQUEZ SMITH, INF (2010-11): 20G, .233 (17-for-73), 12R, 2DBL, 3B, 4HR, 7RBI, 9BB, 12K, 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. Smith is tied for fourth in the league in home runs and scored four runs in a game on Oct. 29 against Obregon.
AGUILAS de MEXICALI (9-11, T-5th Place, 3.5 GB)
DAVE SAPPELT, OF (2012-13): 3G, .200 (2-for-10), 3R, 2DBL, 3BB, K, 1/2SB
Sappelt was released by the Philadelphia Phillies in spring training and ended up spending the 2014 season in Mexico. He hit .400 (20-for-50) with six RBI in 13 games for Acereros del Norte to start the year and .275 (36-for-131) with 10 RBI in 33 games with Veracruz to finish the year. Sappelt played his first game with Mexicali on October 31.
TOMATEROS de CULIACAN (6-8, T-5th Place, 3.0 GB)
ROBERT COELLO, RHP (2011): 0-0, 0.68 ERA (1ER/13.1IP), 9G, 1GS, 8H, 9BB, 14K
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. Coello pitched 4.2 shutout innings and struck out five in his first start for Culiacan on Nov. 2 vs. Hermosillo.
RODRIGO LOPEZ, RHP (2012): 0-1, 8.44 ERA (5ER/5.1IP), 2GS, 5.1IP, 10H, 8R, BB, 8K
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. He was roughed up in his most recent start on Oct. 30 at Navajoa. he allowed five runs on seven hits in just two-thirds of an inning.
NARANJEROS de HERMOSILLO (6-8, T-5th Place, 3.0 GB)
JESSE ESTRADA, RHP (2008-09): 0-1, 2.35 ERA (4ER/15.1IP), 6G, 1GS, 15H, HR, 3BB, 5K
The 6'8 Estrada is the tallest pitcher in Iowa 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. Estrada suffered the loss in his first start on Nov. 1 at Culiacan. He allowed three runs on five hits in five innings in a 4-3 defeat. Hermosillo scored all four of their runs in the top of the ninth inning.
PUERTO RICAN LEAGUE
INDIOS de MAYGUEZ (2-2, 3rd Place, 1.0 GB)
LOU MONTANEZ, OF (2006, '11): 3G, .091 (1-for-11), K
The Cubs drafted Montanez with the third overall pick in the 2000 draft and he played 129 games in the big leagues between the Orioles and the Cubs from 2008-11. The 2014 season was his first outside affiliated ball in his pro career as he played for the Somerset Patriots in the independent Atlantic League and hit .289 (142-for-491) with 30 double, 17 home runs, and 74 RBI in 130 games.
SENADORES de SAN JUAN (0-2, 5th Place, 2.0 GB)
JOHN ANDREOLI, OF (CUBS PROSPECT): 2G, .100 (1-for-10), K
Andreoli is using winter ball as a way to make up for lost time due to injury at double-A Tennessee this past season. In 61 games for the Smokies, he hit .211 (44-for-209) and stole 28 bases before a wrist injury ended his season on June 9.
JONATHAN MOTA, INF (2010-12, '14): 2G, .429 (3-for-7), R, 2RBI, BB, K
Mota has played in 861 games in the Cubs' minor league system over the last 10 seasons, including 142 with the Iowa Cubs. He hit .261 (37-for-142) with three home runs and 18 RBI in 47 games with Iowa this past season.
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
MESA SOLAR SOX (11-9, 2nd Place, 3.5 GB)
JACOB HANNEMANN: 11G, .293 (12-for-41), 3R, 3DBL, 2TRPL, 7RBI, BB, 11K, 0/1SB
After starting 1-for-18 in his first five games, Hannemann has gone on a five-game hitting streak during which he is batting .478 (11-for-23). Both of his triples came in the same game on Oct. 27 at Salt River. 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.
DANNY LOCKHART, INF: 1G, .500 (2-for-4), RBI
Lockhart made his debut with the Solar Sox on Oct. 31. Lockhart hit .284 (93-for-327) with 18 doubles and 28 RBI in 89 games for single-A Kane County this season. He had a brief stint with the I-Cubs in 2013 for two games in Tacoma as a fill-in from short-season Boise.
BIJAN RADEMACHER, OF: 7G, .333 (10-for-30), 8R, 2DBL, 3B, 3RBI, BB, 2K, 3SB
Rademacher is on the "taxi-squad" and is only eligible to play twice a week for Mesa. He has hit safely in six of his seven games, including four straight multi-hit games from Oct. 15-25. The Cubs drafted Rademacher in the 13th round in 2012 out of Orange Coast Community College in California. He batted .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 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: 15G, .217 (10-for-46), 7R, 2DBL, 4RBI, 14BB, 10K, SB
Vogelbach got off to a slow start, but has recorded four multi-hit games. The young slugger only has two extra-base hits, but he has shown a patient eye. He walked four times at Glendale on Halloween and ranks second in the AFL with 14 walks. 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, 11.74 ERA (10ER/7.2IP), 6G, 14H, 2HR, 4BB, 5K
Cates has had two really tough outings. He allowed five runs in 1.1 innings on Oct. 21 at Surprise and four runs on four hits, including a home run, on Oct. 30 against Scottsdale. 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, 6.10 ERA (7ER/10.1IP), 6G, 10H, HR, 7BB, 6K
Concepcion earned a win with 2.1 shutout innings in Oct. 21 at Surprise, but has struggled overall with his command, walking seven compared to six strikeouts in 10.1 innings. 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, 1.80 ERA (2ER/10.0IP), 4GS, 5H, 5BB, 7K
Edwards pitched three shutout innings and didn't allow a hit in his last start on Oct. 27 at Surprise. and pitched a scoreless inning for the East All-Star Team on Nov. 1. 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, 3.52 ERA (3ER/7.2IP), 4G, 3GS, 8H, HR, 4BB, 8K
Pineyro faced just three batters in his last start on Oct. 28 before coming out of the game with an unspecified injury. 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 November 2. 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]