Winter League Report 11/22: Venezuela

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

CARDENALES DE LARA
YAPSON GOMEZ, RHP (Prospect)
Stats: 0-0, 2.08 ERA, 8G, 8.2IP, 2R, 2ER, 4BB, 5K
The 23-year-old right-hander returns to Lara for the second straight winter, appearing in five games for the team after the 2016 season.
Background: Gomez debuted in the Cubs system in 2013 at the age of 19. He split his 2017 season between Class-A affiliates Eugene and South Bend, combining for a 5-1 record with a 2.82 ERA (16ER/51.0IP) in 20 games and two starts.
YOERVIS MEDINA, RHP (2015 with Iowa)
Stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2G, 3.0IP, 2K
The Venezuela native is pitching in his sixth stint with Lara. He has not allowed a run in two relief appearances, last pitching on November 19.
Background: The former Mariners farmhand was traded to the Cubs on May 19, 2015 in exchange for catcher Welington Castillo. He appeared in 28 games for Iowa in 2015, recording a 6.29 ERA. He also pitched in five games for the Cubs that season.
WILLIAMS PEREZ, RHP (2017 with Iowa)
Stats: 0-1, 4.22 ERA, 3G, 3GS, 10.2IP, 5R, 5ER, 1HR, 8BB, 10K
The durable right-hander suits up for Lara for the second consecutive offseason. He's made three starts for the club, most recently on November 15.
Background: Perez made 23 starts for Iowa in 2017, going 7-10 with a 5.01 ERA (67ER/120.1IP) with 51 walks and 102 strikeouts. He finished second on the staff in wins, games started and innings pitched. Perez spent eight seasons in the Braves organization from 2009-16, making 31 starts for Atlanta in 2015-16.
CARIBES DE ANZOATEGUI
ERICK CASTILLO, C (Prospect)
Stats: .227 (10-for-44), 17G, 5R, 1 2B, 3BB, 10K
The 24-year-old catcher is playing in his native Venezuela for the winter. He's served as one of the team's two main catchers, playing in 17 games thus far.
Background: Castillo debuted in the Cubs system in 2012 as a teenager. He spent the entire 2017 season at Double-A Tennessee, where he hit .245 (50-for-204) with 10 doubles, one home run and 20 RBI in 66 games.
FERNANDO CRUZ, RHP (2015 with Iowa)
Stats: 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 4G, 2GS, 15.0IP, 4R, 3ER, 4BB, 9K
The Puerto Rico native is pitching in Venezuela for the first time in his professional career. He's worked in two games out of the bullpen and two as a starter for Anzoategui.
Background: Cruz made just one start for the I-Cubs, where he gave up 10 earned runs in 4.0 innings (22.50 ERA) in his lone 2015 start for the club. He has pitched for New Jersey of the Canadian-American Association (independent ball) for the past two seasons.
MARK MALAVE, RHP (Prospect)
Stats: 0-0, INF ERA, 1G, 0.0IP, 5R, 5ER, BB
The converted position player returns to Anzoategui for the second consecutive offseason. He struggled in his lone appearance this winter, failing to record an out while giving up five earned runs on four hits and a walk.
Background: Malave made his debut in the Cubs system in 2012 at age 17. He was primarily a position player through his first three years in the system before making the full transition to relief pitcher prior to the 2015 season. He spent 2017 splitting time between Class-A affiliates Eugene and South Bend.
JOE ORTIZ, LHP (2015 with Iowa)
Stats: 1-0, 19.29 ERA, 8G, 2.1IP, 5R, 5ER, 2HR, 2K
The 5'7 southpaw pitches in his native Venezuela for the 10th straight offseason, making his debut for Anzaotegui this winter.
Background: Ortiz appeared in 38 games for Iowa during his lone season in the Cubs organization in 2015, amassing a 3-1 record with one save and a 5.24 ERA (32ER/55.0IP). Ortiz appeared in 32 games for the Texas Rangers in 2013, and most recently pitched for the Joliet Slammers of the Frontier League (independent ball) last season.
LEONES DEL CARACAS
JOSE ASCANIO, RHP (2008-09 with Iowa)
Stats: 1-1, 2.57 ERA, 1SV, 14G, 14.0IP, 4R, 4ER, 3BB, 15K
The veteran right-hander suits up for Caracas for the 10th time in his career. Ascanio's 0.86 WHIP ranks best on the team among relievers with at least 10 innings pitched.
Background: Ascanio pitched for Iowa all the way back in 2008-09, and made his major league debut back in 2007 with Atlanta. In his I-Cubs career, he appeared in 52 games (12 starts), compiling a 4-5 record with a 4.16 ERA (49ER/106.0IP) to go along with 41 walks and 105 strikeouts.
ENRIQUE DE LOS RIOS, RHP (Prospect)
Stats: 0-0, 19.29 ERA, 3G, 2.1IP, 5R, 5ER, 2BB, 2K
The Venezuela native has made three relief appearances for Caracas so far this offseason, giving up five runs in 2.1 innings of work.
Background: De Los Rios started in the Cubs organization in 2013 at the age of 18, and most recently pitched for Class-A Eugene in 2017. He went 4-1 with a 3.51 ERA (23ER/59.0IP) in 12 games (six starts) for Eugene.
SETH FRANKOFF, RHP (2017 with Iowa)
Stats: 2-1, 3.05 ERA, 5G, 5GS, 20.2IP, 7R, 7ER, 2HR, 6BB, 15K
The 6'5 right-hander returns to Venezuela for the third consecutive offseason, making his debut for Caracas last winter. Frankoff has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his five starts this winter.
Background: Frankoff was one of Iowa's best pitchers in 2017, appearing in 24 games and making 21 starts. He went 2-8 with a 4.40 ERA (57ER/116.2IP) with 47 walks and 119 strikeouts. He finished fifth among qualified starters in the PCL in earned run average. Frankoff made his MLB debut on June 9, 2017 with Chicago, and was designated for assignment on September 1. The Seattle Mariners claimed him off waivers on September 4.
MIGUEL SOCOLOVICH, RHP (2012 with Iowa)
Stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3G, 1SV, 3.0IP, 0R
Socolovich returns to Venezuela for his sixth offseason, but for the first time in three years. He has not allowed a run in three appearances, notching a save on November 16.
Background: The journeyman relief pitcher appeared in just three games for Iowa in 2012 with a 5.40 ERA. He also appeared in six games for Chicago that season. Socolovich has spent time in the Red Sox (2006-07), White Sox (2008-11), Orioles (2012), Cubs (2012), Mets (2014) and Cardinals (2015-17) organizations.
NAVEGANTES DEL MAGALLANES
GIOSKAR AMAYA, INF (Prospect)
Stats: .286 (8-for-28), 8G, 5R, 3 2B, 8RBI, 2BB, 7K
The 24-year-old first baseman plays his third offseason in the Venezuelan Winter League and his first for Magallanes.
Background: Amaya debuted in the Cubs system in 2010 at the age of 17, and most recently played for Advanced-A Myrtle Beach and Double-A Tennessee in 2016. Amaya was sent to Extended Spring Training to begin the 2017 season, but was placed on the 60-day disabled list and missed the entire season.
ANDRES BLANCO, INF (2008-09 with Iowa)
Stats: .340 (36-for-106), 27G, 20R, 5 2B, 1 3B, 3HR, 10RBI, 12BB, 22K, 1/3 SB
The 33-year-old infielder is playing in his ninth season in the Venezuelan Winter League, and his seventh for Magallanes. He's provided excellent pop so far, ranking second on the club with a .926 OPS.
Background: The utility infielder played a combined 166 games for Iowa from 2008-09, batting .294 (155-for-528) with 25 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, 65 RBI and 15 stolen bases. He also appeared in 53 games for the Cubs in 2009. Blanco has been in the Phillies organization for the past six seasons, appearing in 80 games for the big league club in 2017. 
RONNY CEDEÑO, INF (2005, '07 with Iowa)
Stats: .366 (45-for-123), 31G, 29R, 9 2B, 1HR, 17RBI, 10BB, 13K, 4/4 SB
The 34-year-old utility man has appeared in the Venezuelan Winter League for each of the last 12 offseasons. The Venezuela native is crushing the ball through his first 31 games, leading the team with a .366 batting average.
Background: Cedeño has played just about everywhere, starting his professional career in 2001 at the age of 18 for the Lansing Lugnuts in the Cubs organization. He's played in 10 different big league organizations, with MLB stops at seven of them. In 140 career games with Iowa, he batted .357 (190-for-532) with 29 doubles, four triples, 18 home runs, 73 RBI and 18 stolen bases. Cedeño last played in the states for Triple-A Sacramento in the Giants organization in 2015.
JEROME WILLIAMS, RHP (2005-06 with Iowa)
Stats: 1-2, 5.84 ERA, 3G, 3GS, 12.1IP, 11R, 8ER, 3HR, 2BB, 6K
The journeyman right-hander makes his Venezuelan Winter League debut in 2017. He tossed a five-inning scoreless start in his debut before struggling in his two starts since.
Background: Williams was in the Cubs organization all the way back in 2005-06, where he appeared in 33 games (20 starts) for Iowa. He went 6-8 with a 4.30 ERA (65ER/136.0IP) to go along with 41 walks and 69 strikeouts for his Iowa career. He also appeared in 23 games (19 starts) for Chicago in those two seasons. Williams has spent time in the big leagues with the Giants (2003-05), Cubs (2005-06), Nationals (2007), Angels (2011-13), Astros (2014), Rangers (2014), Phillies (2014-15) and Cardinals (2016).
BRAVOS DE MARGARITA
MANNY CORPAS, RHP (2012 with Iowa)
Stats: 0-2, 1.42 ERA, 14G, 12.2IP, 3R, 2ER, 7BB, 3K
The Panama native returns to the Venezuelan Winter League for the fourth straight year, pitching for Margarita for the third time. The right-hander's 1.42 ERA ranks second-best on the team.
Background: Corpas made 19 appearances for Iowa back in 2012, going 0-2 with a 4.01 ERA (15ER/33.2IP). He also pitched in 48 games out of the Cubs bullpen that season. He has spent the past two seasons pitching for York and Sugar Land of the Atlantic League (independent ball).
SCOTT MAINE, LHP (2010-12 with Iowa)
Stats: 3-1, 5.14 ERA, 17G, 14.0IP, 8R, 8ER, 1HR, 5BB, 13K
Maine makes his debut in Venezuela after spending previous offseasons in both the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. He leads Margarita pitchers with 17 appearances out of the bullpen.
Background: The 6'3 left-hander pitched for the I-Cubs in parts of three seasons from 2010-12. He appeared in 99 games (all in relief), going 10-7 with a 3.41 ERA (48ER/126.2IP) to go along with 59 walks and 148 strikeouts. He also made 41 appearances for Chicago from 2010-12. Maine has pitched in the Atlantic League over the past four seasons.
EUGENIO PALMA, LHP (Prospect)
Stats: 0-0, 2.08 ERA, 7G, 4.1IP, 2R, 1ER, 1HR, 4BB, 1K
The 20-year-old left-hander pitches in the Venezuelan Winter League for the first time after previously spending time in the Venezuelan Summer League for two seasons from 2014-15.
Background: The young left-hander made his debut in the Cubs system in 2014 at the age of 17. He's mowed down opposing hitters in his short career, going 12-4 with a 2.05 ERA (35ER/153.2IP) with 25 walks and 131 strikeouts in 67 career games (65 in relief).
FELIPE PAULINO, RHP (2015 with Iowa)
Stats: 2-2, 5.73 ERA, 11G, 1SV, 11.0IP, 7R, 7ER, 1HR, 5BB, 14K
The Dominican Republic native returns to pitch in the Venezuelan Winter League for the fourth time in his career.
Background: Paulino pitched in Iowa for one season (2015), making 20 starts for the I-Cubs. He went 5-9 with a 4.93 ERA (57ER/104.0IP) with 52 walks and 83 strikeouts in an Iowa uniform. He has pitched professionally in Japan, Mexico and Sugar Land of the Atlantic League over the past two seasons.
EDUARDO SANCHEZ, RHP (2013 with Iowa)
Stats: 1-0, 3.38 ERA, 7G, 8.0IP, 3R, 3ER, 3BB, 6K
The right-hander takes the mound in the Venezuelan Winter League for the ninth consecutive year. He's in his second year with Margarita after pitching for Aragua for seven offseasons from 2009-16.
Background: The native of Venezuela appeared in 24 games for the I-Cubs back in 2013, where he went 1-1 with a 3.26 ERA (11ER/30.1IP) out of the bullpen. He also appeared in four games as a reliever for Chicago that season. Sanchez last pitched in the U.S. in 2014 in the Detroit Tigers organization.
OMAR VENTURA, RHP (Prospect)
Stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1G, 1.0IP, 1K
The 21-year-old has appeared in just one game for Margarita, tossing a scoreless inning out of the bullpen on October 22 against Aragua.
Background: Ventura debuted in the Cubs system in 2015 at the age of 18. In three seasons as a professional, he's 1-4 with a 5.17 ERA (45ER/78.1IP) with 68 walks and 50 strikeouts in 37 games (two starts).
TIBURONES DE LA GUAIRA
YASIEL BALAGUERT, INF (Prospect)
Stats: .174 (4-for-23), 7G, 2R, 1 3B, 1HR, 5RBI, 1BB, 1K
The Cuba native makes his first rounds in the Venezuelan Winter League after playing for Carolina in the Puerto Rican Winter League last offseason, where he hit .277 with six extra-base hits and 10 RBI in 31 games.
Background: Balaguert was the starting first baseman for Double-A Tennessee for the bulk of the 2017 season, appearing in 129 games. He batted .256 (122-for-477) with 27 doubles, 15 home runs and 75 RBI. He tied Jason Vosler for most games played on the team with 129.
TIGRES DE ARAGUA
ALBERTO GONZALEZ, INF (2013 with Iowa)
Stats: .205 (18-for-88), 23G, 7R, 2 2B, 10RBI, 11BB, 6K
Gonzalez is playing in his 12th season in the Venezuelan Winter League, and his first for Aragua. He has previously spent time with Pastora, Margarita and La Guaira.
Background: The journeyman infielder spent time in the Cubs organization in 2013, where he played in 10 games for Iowa. He batted .303 (10-for-33) with three RBI in his short stint as an I-Cub. He appeared on the Cubs' Opening Day roster in 2013, making a pinch-hit appearance on April 1 at Pittsburgh. Gonzalez last played for Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo in the Tigers organization in 2016.
CARLOS PENALVER, INF (Prospect)
Stats: .275 (30-for-109), 30G, 18R, 7 2B, 3 3B, 1HR, 7RBI, 9BB, 21K, 1/1 SB
The 23-year-old shortstop is participating in the VEWL for the third straight offseason, and his second straight with Aragua.
Background: Penalver spent 2017 as the Tennessee Smokies' primary shortstop, appearing in 112 games. He batted .254 (97-for-382) with 48 runs, 11 doubles, four triples, three home runs and 18 RBI. He made his professional debut with the Cubs' Dominican Summer League club in 2011 at the age of 17.
STEPHEN PERAKSLIS, RHP (2016-17 with Iowa)
Stats: 1-2, 6.67 ERA, 6G, 6GS, 27.0IP, 21R, 20ER, 1HR, 5BB, 11K
The right-hander is making his VEWL debut this offseason, spending time in the Arizona Fall League after the 2016 season.
Background: "Perk" has split time between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa across the past two seasons. In 13 games with Iowa (six starts), he's gone 0-2 with a 3.69 ERA (16ER/39.0IP) with 13 walks and 37 strikeouts. The solid swingman made his debut in the Cubs organization in 2012 at the age of 21.
JAMES PUGLIESE, RHP (Prospect)
Stats: 0-0, 3.24 ERA, 9G, 8.1IP, 4R, 3ER, 2BB, 6K
The 25-year-old relief pitcher makes his VEWL debut after a stellar 2017 campaign with Double-A Tennessee.
Background: The 6'3 righty made his organizational debut in 2011 at the age of 18. He most recently pitched for Tennessee in 2017, going 7-2 with a 1.84 ERA (16ER/78.1IP) with 33 walks and 48 strikeouts in 40 games (seven starts).