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Winter League Report for November 18

November 18, 2013

I-CUBS WINTER LEAGUE UPDATE
November 18, 2013

The Mesa Solar Sox won their division, but lost 2-0 to Surprise in the championship game as the Arizona Fall League wrapped up this week. The Chicago Cubs' prospects had a strong showing led by Kris Bryant, who was named the league's MVP. The GM meetings passed without any big trade announcements, but the Winter Meetings are just three weeks away so rumors will continue to fly as teams make plans to try to improve for next season.

TRANSACTIONS:
The transactions list is shorter this week. The Philadelphia Phillies signed OF Marlon Byrd (rehab with Iowa in 2012) to a major league contract. Byrd was a regualr in the winter league report last season as he made a comeback from injury and suspension in Mexico. He had a strong season with the New York Mets before getting traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates and helping their playoff run.

On the minor league side, internet reports have the Cubs signing C Eli Whiteside and IF's Chris Valaika and Walter Ibarra to minor league deals. Whiteside played for Round Rock last season after several years int the San Francisco Giants system that included big league time from 2009-12. Valaika came up through the Cincinnati Reds organization and spent last year in the Miami Marlins, including 37 games at triple-A New Orleans. Ibarra is a native of Mexico and has spent his entire career in the New York Yankees' organization since signing in 2005. He split least season between double-A Trenton and triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He is currently playing for Mazatlan in the Mexican Winter League. Three former I-Cubs have latched on with other teams: C J.C. Boscan (2013) signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, OF Brad Snyder (2009-11) with the Texas Rangers, and IF Scott Moore (2006, '11) with the St. Louis Cardinals. All three players will be invited to big league spring training.

VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:

Caribes is still on top of the standings at 22-12. Magallanes is 2.5 games back at 19-14. Zulia is five back at 17-17 and trying to keep the first half from becoming a two-team race. SS Marwin Gonzalez (2011) joined Zulia on Nov. 12 and is off to a hot start. He has a hit in all six games he has played in and walked in five of six. IF Luis Valbuena (2012) joined Lara on Nove. 14 and had two hits in three of his first four games. While playing primarliy third base for Chicago the last two years, Valbuena has started each game for Lara at second base. Cubs' prospect LH Frank Del Valle allowed one hit and struck out seven in 5.1 shutout innings in his last start on Nov. 16 vs. Magallanes. RH Ty'Relle Harris (2011-12) joined Aragua and got roughed up in his first start on Nov. 16 at Caribes. Harris wasn't active during the 2013 regular season. RH Miguel Socolovich (2012) joined Caracas on November 14 after spending the regular season in Japan.

FINAL REGULAR SEASON STATS:

Player Team

Yr(s) with I-Cubs

AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
OBP
SLG
OPS
Juan Apodaca Zulia 2012
.204
17
49
5
10
1
1
1
5
10
9
0
0
.371
.327
.697
Henry Blanco Margarita 2007
.038
13
26
6
1
1
0
0
2
7
8
0
0
.242
.077
.319
J.C. Boscan Caracas 2013
.091
7
11
1
1
0
0
0
2
4
2
0
0
.333
.091
.424
Ronny Cedeno Aragua 2004-05, '07
.343
10
35
5
12
3
0
0
2
3
5
0
0
.425
.429
.854
Robinson Chirinos Magallanes 2010
.265
10
34
2
9
5
0
0
10
1
4
0
0
.306
.412
.717
Alberto Gonzalez Margartia 2013
.194
30
103
13
20
1
0
2
5
7
16
0
1
.250
.262
.512
Marwin Gonzalez Zulia 2011
.600
6
15
1
9
0
0
0
1
7
1
0
1
.739
.600
1.339
Jackson Melian Caribes 2003
.235
8
17
3
4
2
0
0
0
1
4
0
0
.316
.353

.669

Max Ramirez Margarita 2011
.326
12
43
7
14
5
0
3
5
3
9
0
0
.396
.651
1.047
Dave Sappelt Margarita 2012-13
.143
2
7
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
.250
.143
.393
Luis Valbuena Lara 2012
.316
4
19
2
6
1
0
0
1
1
3
1
0
.350
.368
.718

 

Pitcher Team Yr(s) with I-Cubs
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
SVO
IP
H
R
ER
HR
HB
BB
IBB
SO
WP

OPP AVG.

Jose Ascanio Caracas 2008-09
0
1
5.19
10
0
4
5
8.2
9
5
5
0
1
6
0
9
0
.265
Manny Corpas Margarita 2012
1
0
0.00
3
0
0
0
3.0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
.111
Frank Del Valle Margarita Cubs Prospect
0
0
1.88
6
3
0
0
14.1
7
3
3
0
1
12
0
12
0
.152
Ty'Relle Harris Aragua 2011-12
0
1
135.00
1
1
0
0
0.1
3
5
5
2
0
2
0
0
0
.750
Randy Keisler Magallanes 2008
0
0
36.00
2
1
0
0
1.0
4
4
4
0
0
3
0
0
1
.571
Guillermo Moscoso Caracas 2013
0
1
5.87
3
1
0
0
7.2
11
5
5
1
0
2
0
5
0
.377
Yoanner Negrin Caracas 2012-13
3
2
4.12
8
8
0
0
39.1
31
18
18
3
2
12
0
28
0
.221
Renyel Pinto La Guaira 2004-05
1
2
5.65
6
6
0
0
28.2
25
18
18
3
3
21
3
23
3
.240
Hector Rondon Caracas Chicago Cubs
2
0
2.16
9
0
0
0
8.1
10
4
2
0
1
2
1
6
1
.303
Eduardo Sanchez Aragua 2013
2
0
2.35
8
0
1
1
7.2
5
2
2
1
0
3
0
10
2
.185
Miguel Socolovich Caracas 2012
0
0
0.00
2
0
0
0
2.0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
.000
Carlos Zambrano Magallanes 2000-02, '10
0
1
4.98
5
5
0
0
21.2
29
16
12
4
1
19
0
9
1
.326

PITCHING LEADERS:

Yoanner Negrin: 3 Wins (T4), 8GS (T1), 39.1 IP (5), 1.09 WHIP (4), .221 AVG (3)
Renyel Pinto: 21 BB (1)
Jose Ascanio: 4 SV (T3)
Carlos Zambrano: 19 BB (3)

DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE:

Aguilas (15-9) and Escogido (15-9) had good weeks to pull within a half-game of first-place Licey. RH Marcos Mateo has allowed just one run in five innings over his last four appearances and continues to rank among the league leaders in wins and saves. OF Junior Lake had an eight-game hitting streak from Nov. 7-16. He batted .424 (14-for-33) with two homers, three RBI, and six runs scored during the streak. OF Julio Borbon had a big week, going 4-for-9 in his last three games. OF Felix Pie hasn't played in a game since Nov. 8.

REGULAR SEASON STATS:

Player Team

Yr(s) with I-Cubs

AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
OBP
SLG
OPS
Jim Adduci Toros del Este 2010, '12
.267
16
60
9
16
4
0
2
7
7
12
0
2
.343
.433
.777
Arismendy Alcantara Licey Cubs Prospect
.200
14
45
5
9
1
0
1
3
2
10
2
1
.234
.289
.523
Julio Borbon Licey 2013
.226
16
31
7
7
1
1
0
2
3
2
1
0
.314
.323
.637
Jeimer Candelario Aguilas Cubs Prospect
.000
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
.000
.000
.000
Diory Hernandez Toros del Este 2012
.333
1
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
.500
.333
.833
Junior Lake Estrellas 2013
.333
13
51
6
17
1
0
2
5
3
13
6
1
.375
.471
.846
Mario Mercedes Estrellas 2011
.167
7
12
0
2
0
0
0
1
0
3
0
0
.154
.167
.321
Felix Pie Estrellas 2006-08
.423
7
26
4
11
3
1
1
3
4
2
0
1
.516
.731
1.247
Brad Snyder Estrellas 2009-11
.000
7
19
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
8
0
0
.050
.000
.050

 

Pitcher Team Yr(s) with I-Cubs
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
SVO
IP
H
R
ER
HR
HB
BB
IBB
SO
WP

OPP AVG.

Jeffry Antigua Toros del Este 2013
0
0
5.79
6
0
0
0
4.2
6
4
3
1
0
2
0
5
0
.300
Jairo Asencio Licey 2012
1
0
1.38
13
0
9
9
13.0
10
2
2
1
1
2
0
19
0
.204
Frank Batista Aguilas 2012
0
0
0.00
4
0
0
1
4.1
4
0
0
0
1
1
0
3
0
.222
Miguel Batista Gigantes 1997
1
1
10.80
6
1
0
0
5.0
6
6
6
0
0
7
0
3
1
.286
Frankie De La Cruz Estrellas 2012
0
3
5.56
6
2
0
0
11.1
14
12
7
0
0
8
0
8
2
.311
Marcos Mateo Estrellas 2010-11, '13
3
0
1.35
11
0
5
7
13.1
8
2
2
0
0
6
1
11
3
.170
Adalberto Mendez Toros del Este 2005-06
0
2
10.38
5
1
0
0
4.1
8
5
5
0
1
3
0
7
1
.400
Ramon Ortiz Licey 2011
0
0
0.00
3
0
0
0
3.0
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
.182
Raul Valdes Toros del Este 2005-06
0
0
1.04
2
2
0
0
8.2
9
2
1
0
0
2
0
8
0
.257
Chris Volstad Licey 2012
2
2
5.40
5
5
0
0
21.2
23
14
13
0
0
5
0
11
2
.274

PITCHING LEADERS:

Jairo Asencio: 9 SV (1), 13 G (T3), 13 GF (1)
Frankie De La Cruz: 3 Losses (1)
Marcos Mateo: 3 Wins (T2), 5 SV (3), 7 GF (T3)

MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE:

Hermosillo remains in first place with a 21-10 record. Guasave is 17-15, 4.5 games back. IF Jake Fox is just 3-for-21 in his last five games, but is tied for the league lead with 24 RBI. RH Marcus Hatley earned a win and two saves in his three appearances this week. RH Rodrigo Lopez allowed one run in five innings and earned a win in his last start at Guasave on Nov. 15. Cubs' prospect, Christian Villanueva, is batting .333 (8-for-24) with three doubles, a home run, and three RBI in his last eight games. Villanueva is a candidate to open the 2014 season with the I-Cubs.

REGULAR SEASON STATS:

Player Team

Yr(s) with I-Cubs

AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
OBP
SLG
OPS
Alfredo Amezaga Obregon 2012
.194
13
31
1
6
1
0
0
2
2
8
1
0
.242
.226
.468
Jake Fox Mochis 2007-09
.264
32
125
15
33
6
0
4
24
8
24
0
1
.314
.408
.722
Christian Villanueva Obregon Cubs Prospect
.256
24
78
11
20
6
0
3
7
9
20
1
1
.333
.449
.782

BATTING LEADERS:

Jake Fox: 24 RBI (T1), 125 AB (5)

Pitcher Team Yr(s) with I-Cubs
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
SVO
IP
H
R
ER
HR
HB
BB
IBB
SO
WP

OPP AVG.

Marco Carrillo Obregon 2010-11
1
4
4.50
6
6
0
0
34.0
41
17
17
6
2
9
0
19
0
.304
Jesse Estrada Hermosillo 2008-09
0
0
0.00
2
0
0
0
1.2
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
.167
Marus Hatley Culiacan 2012-13
1
1
2.77
14
0
6
7
13.0
13
8
4
4
1
4
0
18
0
.245
Jay Jackson Mazatlan 2009-12
2
0
0.00
12
0
7
7
15.1
10
0
0
0
0
4
1
17
0
.196
Rodrigo Lopez Culiacan 2012
1
3
7.54
5
5
0
0
22.2
31
19
19
6
1
7
0
14
1
.316
Horacio Ramirez Mazatlan 2012
1
2
3.28
6
4
0
0
24.2
21
11
9
2
0
4
1
14
0
.223
Michael Wuertz Mazatlan 2002-04, 06, 08
0
0
1.74
9
0
0
0
10.1
9
3
2
0
0
11
1
7
0
.250

PITCHING LEADERS:

Jay Jackson: 7 SV (3), 11 GF (T3)
Marcus Hatley: 11 GF (T3)
Marco Carrillo: 4 Losses (T2)

 

PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE:

Mayaguez (6-3) and Carolina (7-4) are in a virtual tie for first place witih Caguas (7-5) just a half-game back. SS Edwin Maysonet has hit safely in six of his last seven games, batting .400 (12-for-30) with two doubles and three runs scored to move into fifth in the league in batting. OF Lou Montanez has hit safely in three of his last four games, batting .273 (6-for-22) with two doubles, a home run, and six RBI in this stretch. All six RBI came in his last game on Nov. 16 at Carolina. IF Luis Figueroa has hit safely in five straight games, batting .417 (8-for-17) with four doubles and five RBI during the streak.

REGULAR SEASON STATS:

Player Team

Yr(s) with I-Cubs

AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
OBP
SLG
OPS
Luis Figueroa Mayaguez 2008
.303
9
33
2
10
5
0
0
5
2
1
1
0
.343
.455
.797
Edwin Maysonet Santurce 2013
.342
11
38
3
13
2
0
0
0
2
8
0
0
.375
.395
.770
Lou Montanez Caguas 2006, '11
.211
9
38
6
8
2
0
1
6
2
9
2
0
.286
.342
.628
Jonathan Mota Ponce 2010-12
.229
11
35
5
8
2
0
0
4
9
8
0
0
.378
.286
.663
Rubi Silva Ponce Cubs Prospect
.333
4
15
2
5
1
0
0
2
1
3
0
0
.375
.400
.775

 

Pitcher Team Yr(s) with I-Cubs
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
SVO
IP
H
R
ER
HR
HB
BB
IBB
SO
WP

OPP AVG.

Scott Maine Mayaguez 2010-12
0
0
6.00
3
2
0
0
9.0
14
6
6
0
1
5
0
6
1
.378

 

ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:

Mesa won the East Division with a 19-11 record, but lost 2-0 to Surprise in the AFL Championship game. 3B Kris Bryant was named the league MVP after leading the league in homers (6) and slugging (.727). He also tied for the league lead in extra-base hits (15), runs (22), and total bases (56). OF Alberto Almora was one of the two youngest players in the AFL, but he finished above .300 with his batting average. OF Jorge Soler finished the regular season on a five-game hitting streak. RH Dallas Beeler started the championship game and allowed just one run on two hits in five innings, but lost. He finished second in the regular season with four wins.

REGULAR SEASON STATS:

Player
AVG
G
AB
R
H
2B
3B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
SB
CS
OBP
SLG
OPS
Albert Almora
.307
21
75
8
23
6
2
1
12
4
9
0
3
.342
.480
.822
Kris Bryant
.364
20
77
22
28
8
1
6
17
14
23
3
0
.457
.727
1.184
Wes Darvill
.171
11
35
4
6
1
0
1
5
3
5
0
1
.237
.286
.523
Jorge Soler
.271
20
85
11
23
6
0
1
14
5
21
0
0
.311
.376
.688

BATTING LEADERS:

Kris Bryant: .364 AVG (5), 6 HR (1), 28 H (T4), 8 DBL (T2), .457 OBP (4), .727 SLG (1), 15 XBH (T1), 22 R (T1), 56 TB (T1)

Pitcher
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
SVO
IP
H
R
ER
HR
HB
BB
SO
Dallas Beeler
4
1
2.49
6
6
0
0
21.2
24
13
6
1
0
5
9
Lendy Castillo
0
0
1.74
11
0
1
1
10.1
9
6
2
0
0
12
7
Matt Loosen
2
1
3.29
8
1
0
1
13.2
15
7
5
1
1
6
14
Armando Rivero
0
1
4.91
11
0
0
0
11.0
14
7
6
0
0
5
9

PITCHING LEADERS:

Dallas Beeler: 4 Wins (2)

JAPANESE PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL:

3B Casey McGehee (2006-08 with Iowa) had an outstanding first season in Japan and earned a ring as the Rakuten Golden Eagles topped the Yomiuri Giants in seven games to win the Nippon Series. McGehee has publicly expressed an interest to return to the United States in 2014. OF Matt Murton (2005, '07-08) topped the .300 mark for the third time in four seasons with Hanshin and has a career .312 average with 54 home runs and 274 RBI in 550 games with the Tigers. Murton is a free agent heading into the 2014 campaignm but there was a report this week that he is likely headed back to Hanshin. 1B Bryan LaHair (2010-11) had a solid season in his first foray into Japanese baseball. He signed a two-year deal and will return to the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks again next year. 1B Micah Hoffpauir (2004-10) completed his third, and most likely last, season with the Fighters. He did hit grand slams in consecutive days in early May to tie a Japanese record. Former I-Cub, Tuffy Rhodes, is one of the six other players to accomplish that feat in Japan. RHP Miguel Socolovich (2012) made just a couple of appearances last in the season with Iowa in 2012 after getting claimed off waivers by the Cubs from the Baltimore Orioles. This was his first season in Japan.

Player Team AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS OBP SLG OPS
Micah Hoffpauir Nippon-Ham Fighters
.186
69
145
13
27
3
0
5
15
16
53
0
0
.276
.310
.586
Matt Murton Hanshin Tigers
.314
143
566
55
178
37
1
19
85
42
81
6
1
.361
.484
.845
Casey McGehee Rakuten Golden Eagles
.292
144
513
78
150
30
0
28
93
70
119
2
3
.376
.515
.891
Bryan LaHair Fukuoka Softbank Hawks
.230
111
348
38
80
19
1
16
57
39
121
2
1
.306
.428
.734

 

Pitcher Team
W
L
ERA
G
GS
SV
SVO
IP
H
R
ER
HR
HB
BB
SO
Miguel Socolovich Hiroshima Carp
0
2
0.79
11
0
0
0
11.1
6
3
1
0
0
4
6

 

*Stats are courtesy of Major League Baseball Advanced Media and baseball-reference.com (Japanese stats).

MLB.com provides daily updates on winter league action here.

Be sure to check back every week through the Caribbean Series for more updates. If you know of any players that we should be following in this report that aren't included, please email Media Relations Director Randy Wehofer at [email protected].