Winter League Report 11/17: Mexico

Throughout the off-season, www.iowacubs.com will check in with Iowa Cubs of the past, present and future playing winter ball. The first edition highlights the Mexican Winter League.

AGUILAS DE MEXICALI
ESMAILIN CARIDAD, RHP (2009-13 with Iowa)
Stats: 0-0, 7.36 ERA, 5G, 3.2IP, 3R, 3ER, 1HR, 1BB
The longtime I-Cubs reliever returns to Mexicali for the third consecutive winter. Caridad has appeared in five games out of the bullpen for Mexicali.
Background: The Dominican native started his professional career in Japan in 2007, before spending six seasons in the Chicago Cubs organization from 2008-13. He appeared in games for Iowa in each season from 2009-13, compiling a 12-20 record and a 4.54 ERA (134ER/265.2IP) in 113 games (27 starts) for the I-Cubs. He also appeared in 22 big league games for the Cubs from 2009-10, and most recently pitched for Laguna in the Mexican League in 2017/
SERGIO MITRE, RHP (2004-05 with Iowa)
Stats: 3-2, 3.03 ERA, 6G, 6GS, 32.2IP, 12R, 11ER, 3HR, 5BB, 24K
Mitre returns to Mexicali for the first time since he pitched for them in 2013. The former Cub has started six games for Mexicali, giving up just one earned run in five of his six starts.
Background: The right-hander made his Cubs organizational debut in 2001 for Class-A Boise and worked his way up to Chicago by 2004. He made 31 appearances for Iowa between 2004-05, including 28 starts. Mitre is still the last Iowa pitcher to throw a complete game one-hitter, which he accomplished on August 13, 2004. He has not pitched in the U.S. since 2011 in the Yankees organization, but most recently pitched for Leon and Tijuana in the Mexican League last season.
CANEROS DE LOS MACHIS
MANUEL RODRIGUEZ, RHP (Prospect)
Stats: 1-1, 1.72 ERA, 11G, 15.2IP, 3R, 3ER, 7BB, 19K
The 21-year-old has made 11 appearances for Los Mochis, currently holding a five-game streak without allowing a run.
Background: Rodriguez was a rookie in the Cubs organization in 2017, splitting time between Class-A affiliates South Bend and Eugene. He combined to go 1-0 with a 3.94 ERA (9ER/23.0IP) in 16 relief appearances.
NARANJEROS DE HERMOSILLO
CASEY COLEMAN, RHP (2010-14 with Iowa)
Stats: 0-1, 4.50 ERA, 7G, 4GS, 22.0IP, 23H, 12R, 11ER, 3HR, 12BB, 20K
The veteran right-hander returns to Hermosillo for the second straight offseason. He's worked as a swingman this winter, making four starts and appearing in three games out of the bullpen.
Background: Coleman spent parts of five seasons with the I-Cubs, making at least 10 starts in each of his first three seasons with Iowa. He also appeared in 48 big league games for the Cubs from 2010-12, starting 26 of them. The righty split time between Triple-A Fresno in the Astros organization and New Britain of the Atlantic League (independent ball) in 2017.
TOMATEROS DE CULIACAN
ALFREDO AMEZAGA, INF (2012 with Iowa)
Stats: .338 (25-for-74), 22G, 8R, 4 2B, 9RBI, 12BB, 8K, 3/4 SB
The Mexican-born journeyman has played in his native country in every offseason dating back to 2005. He has torn the cover off the ball for Culiacan this winter, leading his team with a .338 batting average.
Background: Amezaga debuted professionally in the Anaheim Angels organization in 1999. He played 113 games for Iowa in 2012, batting .274 (109-for-398) with 17 doubles, six homers, 42 RBI and 15 stolen bases. He logged a five-hit game for Iowa on April 15 of that season. He has spent time in the majors with the Marlins, Pirates and Rockies, and most recently played in the Mexican League in 2017.
ALI SOLIS, C (2017 with Iowa)
Stats: .227 (15-for-66), 25G, 3R, 3 2B, 5RBI, 3BB, 20K, 1/2 SB
Solis is playing in his 11th consecutive season for Culiacan, most on the club. He has served as the team's primary catcher this offseason, appearing in 25 games.
Background: Much like his Culiacan teammate Alfredo Amezaga, Solis has had a long professional career, first appearing in the San Diego Padres system in 2006. The catcher appeared in 58 games for the I-Cubs this past season, hitting .253 (40-for-158) with 13 doubles, three homers and 19 RBI. He has spent time in the big leagues with San Diego (2012) and Tampa Bay (2014).
VENADOS DE MAZATLAN
NICK STRUCK, RHP (2011, '13 with Iowa)
Stats: 0-1, 1.35 ERA, 6G, 6.2IP, 5H, 3R, 1ER, 1BB, 4K
The right-hander returns to Mazatlan for the second straight offseason. He started all seven games that he appeared in last offseason, and has been successful in moving to a bullpen role this winter.
Background: The fittingly-named right-hander appeared in a combined 34 games (31 starts) for the I-Cubs in 2011 and 2013 combined, walking 76 and striking out 94. Struck has pitched in the Mexican League and independent ball over the past three seasons.
YAQUIS DE OBREGON
MIGUEL MEJIA, RHP (2016-17 with Iowa)
Stats: 1-1, 1.53 ERA, 18G, 17.2IP, 13H, 6R, 3ER, 2HR, 5BB, 8K
The Brooklyn-born right-hander has thrived in his Mexican League debut in 2017, leading Obregon in games pitched (18). He previously spent his offseasons pitching for Caguas in the Puerto Rican Winter League.
Background: Mejia appeared in a combined 44 relief appearances the past two seasons for the I-Cubs, going 3-1 with a 5.97 ERA (46ER/69.1IP). He was released by Chicago on June 26, 2017.
FELIX PIE, OF (2006-08 with Iowa)
Stats: .286 (18-for-63), 17G, 7R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 4RBI, 13BB, 17K, 0/0 SB
The Dominican outfielder makes his Mexican League debut after spending the previous nine offseasons in his native Dominican Republic. Pie leads the Obregon club with his .408 on-base percentage.
Background: The former highly-touted outfield prospect appeared in 281 games for the I-Cubs spanning three seasons from 2006-08. In 2006, his 559 at-bats rank third-most in a season for an Iowa player all-time. He went 5-for-6 on May 23, 2006 at Sacramento. For his 281-game Iowa career, Pie hit .300 (337-for-1,123) with 62 doubles, 18 triples, 34 home runs, 155 RBI and 37 stolen bases.