Winter League Report, January 14
I-CUBS WINTER LEAGUE UPDATE
January 14, 2013
Not much in the way of transactions this week, but spring training rosters are getting set. Speaking of rosters, official announcements on the World Baseball Classic are due later in the in the week. This week's report also includes updates from post-season play in all four Caribbean Leagues.
TRANSACTIONS:
The Chicago Cubs avoided arbitration with IF Luis Valbuena and signed him to a one-year deal. Reports indicate that the deal was not guaranteed, so he would have to make the club out of spring traing. The three remaning arbitration-eligible players are: RH Matt Garza, RH Jeff Samardzija, and LH James Russell. The Cubs also added a few players on minor league contracts and released a full list of players invited to spring training: RHs Drew Carpenter, Jaye Chapman (2012 with Iowa), Dayan Diaz, Jensen Lewis, Blake Parker (2008-12), Zach Putnam, Cory Wade; LH Hisanori Takahashi; C J.C. Boscan; IFs Alberto Gonzalez, Brent Lillibridge, Edwin Maysonet, and Brad Nelson; and OFs Brian Bogusevic, Johermyn Chavez, and Darnell McDonald. Diaz, Takahashi, Lillibridge, and McDonald were the most recent signings. Diaz will turn 24 in Feburary and was 5-4 with a 1.85 ERA and 19 saves in 41 games at single-A Lexington in the Houston Astros organization last year. He struck out 64 batters in 58.1 innings. Takahashi has big league experience with the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, and Pittsburgh Pirates in his career. He made 42 appearances with the Angels last season before getting designated for assignment and claimed off waivers by the Pirates in August. Lillibridge played for the Chicago White Sox from 2009 until he was traded to Boston as part of the deal to acquire Kevin Youkilis last June. A month later, the Red Sox sent him to the Cleveland Indians for a minor league pitcher. McDonald is a former first-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles in 1997 and saw time at both triple-A and the big league level last season with the Red Sox and New York Yankees.
Five former Iowa Cubs found new homes this week. The San Diego Padres signed IF Cody Ransom (2005) to a minor league deal. The Colorado Rockies signed RH Manny Corpas (2012) to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training and he is a candidate to fill a new "hybrid" role that the Rockies are experimenting with that would be a mixture between starting and long relief. The Philadelphia Phillies signed RH Rodrigo Lopez (2012) to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Lopez also pitched for the Phillies in 2009. The Toronto Blue Jays signed C Henry Blanco (rehab in 2007) to a non-guaranteed one-year deal. The Cincinnati Reds signed IF Nate Samson (2008, '12) to a minor league contract.
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
With eight days left in the round robin tournament, Magallanes leads the way with a 6-4 record. Caribes and Lara are tied for second at 5-5 and Caracas and Zulia are in the hunt at 4-5. RH Carlos Zambrano (2000-02, '10) has made three starts for Magallenes and has no record with a 5.02 ERA. He ranks third in the league for the post-season with 14 strikeouts in 14 innings, but also leads the league with eight walks. C Robinson Chirinos (2010) is 0-for-5 in two games for Magallanes. IF Luis Valbuena (2012) continues to be a leading contributor on offense for Lara. Hs is batting .286 (12-for-42) with seven runs scored and six RBI in 10 games. LH Renyel Pinto (2004-05) has struggled on the mound for Caribes. In three starts, he is 0-1 with a 7.88 ERA, allowing 13 hits in eight innings pitched. OF Johermyn Chavez (Cubs' Signee) is 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts in two games. OF Josh Kroeger (2007-08) is batting .318 (7-for-22) with a double and three RBI in five games for Caracas. LH Les Walrond (2006-08) is 0-1 with a 7.88 RA in two starts in the playoffs for Caracas after spending the regular season with La Guaira. RH Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2010-11) was roughed up in his second playoff start. He is now 1-1 with an 8.10 ERA in two post-season outings for Zulia. C Juan Apodaca (2012) is 2-for-8 with a pair of two RBI in two games for Zulia.
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 | .176 |
20 |
51 |
6 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
7 |
16 |
1 |
0 |
.271 |
.216 |
.487 |
| Andres Blanco | Magallanes | 2008-09 | .167 |
26 |
66 |
9 |
11 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
12 |
20 |
0 |
0 |
.305 |
.227 |
.532 |
| Henry Blanco | Margarita | 2007 | .188 |
46 |
128 |
13 |
24 |
5 |
0 |
5 |
19 |
16 |
44 |
0 |
1 |
.275 |
.344 |
.619 |
| J.C. Boscan | Caracas | Cubs Signee | .271 |
26 |
85 |
8 |
23 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
6 |
20 |
1 |
0 |
.326 |
.329 |
.655 |
| Tony Campana | Caracas | 2011-12 | .231 |
16 |
52 |
7 |
12 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
12 |
8 |
2 |
.322 |
.288 |
.610 |
| Ronny Cedeno | Aragua | 2004-05, '07 | .268 |
21 |
82 |
11 |
22 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
6 |
14 |
0 |
1 |
.318 |
.366 |
.684 |
| Johermyn Chavez | Caribes | Cubs Signee | .212 |
33 |
85 |
12 |
18 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
13 |
10 |
27 |
1 |
1 |
.337 |
.341 |
.678 |
| Robinson Chirinos | Magallanes | 2010 | .158 |
6 |
19 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
.304 |
.158 |
.462 |
| Alberto Gonzalez | Margartia | Cubs Signee | .301 |
21 |
73 |
6 |
22 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
.342 |
.370 |
.712 |
| Marwin Gonzalez | Caracas | 2011 | .180 |
18 |
61 |
8 |
11 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
7 |
8 |
3 |
1 |
.282 |
.230 |
.511 |
| Jae-Hoon Ha | Aragua | Cubs Prospect | .218 |
27 |
78 |
7 |
17 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
8 |
26 |
6 |
0 |
.291 |
.295 |
.586 |
| Josh Kroeger | Caracas | 2007-08 | .286 |
41 |
147 |
15 |
42 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
17 |
28 |
24 |
5 |
5 |
.404 |
.361 |
.765 |
| Jackson Melian | Margarita | 2003 | .237 |
39 |
114 |
18 |
27 |
5 |
0 |
4 |
23 |
27 |
30 |
1 |
3 |
.404 |
.386 |
.790 |
| Max Ramirez | Margarita | 2011 | .307 |
41 |
127 |
17 |
39 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
9 |
18 |
19 |
1 |
0 |
.409 |
.409 |
.819 |
| Dave Sappelt | Margarita | 2012 | .336 |
30 |
116 |
23 |
39 |
5 |
1 |
5 |
15 |
8 |
17 |
5 |
2 |
.378 |
.526 |
.904 |
| Luis Valbuena | Lara | 2012 | .306 |
51 |
183 |
32 |
56 |
15 |
1 |
6 |
39 |
34 |
33 |
3 |
0 |
.414 |
.497 |
.912 |
| Josh Vitters | Caracas | 2012 | .000 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
.000 |
.000 |
.000 |
| Ty Wright | Aragua | 2010-12 | .247 |
20 |
73 |
6 |
18 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
.257 |
.384 |
.640 |
FINAL REGULAR SEASON HITTING LEADERS:
Luis Valbuena: .306 AVG (8), .414 OBP (5), 34 BB (3)
| 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. |
| Mitch Atkins | Magallanes | 2008-10 | 0 |
0 |
13.50 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2.0 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
.500 |
| Austin Bibens-Dirkx | Zulia | 2010-11 | 2 |
2 |
2.35 |
12 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
53.2 |
51 |
14 |
14 |
2 |
2 |
15 |
0 |
57 |
1 |
.263 |
| Robert Coello | La Guaira | 2011 | 1 |
0 |
8.31 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4.1 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
.313 |
| Sean Gallagher | Caracas | 2007-08 | 1 |
3 |
5.27 |
7 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
27.1 |
37 |
20 |
16 |
4 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
20 |
4 |
.319 |
| Kevin Hart | Caracas | 2007-09 | 0 |
1 |
27.00 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2.1 |
10 |
10 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.588 |
| Yoanner Negrin | Caracas | 2012 | 4 |
1 |
2.61 |
12 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
58.2 |
64 |
19 |
17 |
3 |
3 |
18 |
0 |
38 |
0 |
.281 |
| Renyel Pinto | Caribes | 2004-05 | 3 |
4 |
5.26 |
11 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
51.1 |
44 |
31 |
30 |
8 |
4 |
38 |
0 |
42 |
1 |
.237 |
| Hector Rondon | Caracas | Cubs Rule 5 | 2 |
1 |
4.29 |
23 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
21.0 |
15 |
11 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
12 |
3 |
.208 |
| Les Walrond | La Guaira | 2006-08 | 1 |
4 |
3.62 |
11 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
49.2 |
62 |
25 |
20 |
2 |
3 |
23 |
0 |
31 |
0 |
.308 |
| Carlos Zambrano | Magallanes | 2000-02, '10 | 4 |
2 |
3.90 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
27.2 |
27 |
15 |
12 |
3 |
2 |
13 |
1 |
19 |
1 |
.265 |
FINAL REGULAR SEASON PITCHING LEADERS:
Austin Bibens-Dirkx: 2.35 ERA (2), 1.23 WHIP (5), 57 K (T3)
Yoanner Negrin: 2.61 ERA (4)
Renyel Pinto: 38 BB (1), .237 OPP AVG (3), 8 HRA (4)
DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE:
With four days left in round robin play, Aguilas and Escogido are tied for the best record at 9-5. Toros del Este is still in the hunt at 7-7, but Estrellas is languishing at 3-11. Two former Iowa Cubs that share a common last name, but are separated by a generation, are pitching for Aguilas. 41-year-old RH Miguel Batista (1997) has no record and an 8.44 ERA in two starts. He was walked six batters in 5.1 innings. 23-year-old RH Frank Batista (2012) has pitched one scoreless ining in relief. I'm not aware of any direct family connection between the two. C Henry Blanco (rehab in 2007), who just signed with the Blue Jays, is batting .259 (7-for-27) with a double, an RBI, and two runs scored in nine games for Escogido. He is teammates with LH Randy Keisler (2008), who allowed two runs in 4.1 innings, but didn't figure in the decision of his first start. IF Diory Hernandez (2012) is having a good showing in the post-season for Toros del Este. In 10 games, he is batting .323 (10-for-31) with three doubles, a home run, eight runs scored, and five RBI. On the pitching side for the "Bulls," RH Alberto Cabrera (2011-12) has made a smooth transition from reliever in the regular season to starter in the post-season. In three starts, he is 1-1 with a 1.15 ERA (2ER/15.2IP) and ranks second in the league in post-season ERA. RH Jairo Asencio (2012) is tied for second in the league with two post-season saves in four appearances. LH Raul Valdes (2005-06) pitched seven shutout innings for a win in his only post-season start. Cubs' prospect, LH Jeff Antigua, has been a specialist out of the bullpen and has racked up four strikeouts in 2.2 innings over six appearances. The Cubs' contingent has struggled for in the post-season for Estrellas. SS Junior Lake is batting .250 (10-for-40) with two doubles, and two RBI in 11 games. He is tied for third in the tournament with five stolen bases in six attempts. OF Brad Snyder (2009-11) is batting .143 (4-for-28) with on RBI in 10 games. OF Felix Pie (2006-08) is batting .167 (7-for-42) with a double, a home run, and three RBI in 13 games. RH Frankie De La Cruz (2012) is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in seven relief appearances. Control problems have hurt him with five walks and four strikeouts in seven innings of work. RH Rafael Dolis (2012) has worked only 3.2 innings in seven games, but has allowed just one run and struck out six. RH Ramon Ortiz is 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA in two starts. Ortiz is tied for second in the tournament with two losses.
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 |
| Arismendy Alcantara | Gigantes | Cubs Prospect | .333 |
23 |
12 |
9 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
.500 |
.667 |
1.167 |
| Ryan Flaherty | Escogido | 2011 | .209 |
13 |
43 |
7 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
.306 |
.233 |
.539 |
| Diory Hernandez | Toros del Este | 2012 | .260 |
45 |
154 |
19 |
40 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
18 |
19 |
19 |
8 |
2 |
.337 |
.299 |
.636 |
| Junior Lake | Estrellas | Cubs Prospect | .312 |
44 |
154 |
23 |
48 |
8 |
1 |
5 |
24 |
15 |
46 |
11 |
3 |
.382 |
.474 |
.856 |
| Felix Pie | Estrellas | 2006-08 | .253 |
42 |
150 |
24 |
38 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
19 |
25 |
31 |
9 |
2 |
.362 |
.340 |
.702 |
| Brad Snyder | Estrellas | 2009-11 | .289 |
14 |
45 |
9 |
13 |
3 |
0 |
5 |
16 |
5 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
.365 |
.689 |
1.054 |
| Nate Spears | Gigantes | 2008-09 | .063 |
6 |
16 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
.200 |
.063 |
.263 |
FINAL REGULAR SEASON BATTING LEADERS:
Junior Lake: .312 AVG (T3), 46 K (T1), 11 SB (T2), .382 OBP (5), .474 SLG (5)
Felix Pie: 25 BB (4)
| 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. |
| Jeff Antigua | Toros del Este | Cubs Prospect | 4 |
1 |
5.09 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
23.0 |
22 |
13 |
13 |
4 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
18 |
1 |
.272 |
| Jairo Asencio | Toros del Este | 2012 | 0 |
2 |
2.67 |
26 |
0 |
12 |
12 |
27.0 |
28 |
9 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
13 |
2 |
21 |
2 |
.267 |
| Miguel Batista | Aguilas | 1997 | 2 |
2 |
4.08 |
10 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
39.2 |
48 |
22 |
18 |
5 |
2 |
12 |
0 |
20 |
7 |
.294 |
| Michael Bowden | Aguilas | 2012 | 3 |
3 |
3.62 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
32.1 |
33 |
15 |
13 |
3 |
0 |
12 |
0 |
17 |
1 |
.264 |
| Alberto Cabrera | Toros del Este | 2011-12 | 0 |
0 |
3.14 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
14.1 |
11 |
7 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
13 |
0 |
20 |
2 |
.269 |
| Lendy Castillo | Escogido | Cubs Prospect | 0 |
1 |
7.36 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7.1 |
15 |
10 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
9 |
2 |
.417 |
| Frankie De La Cruz | Estrellas | 2012 | 3 |
2 |
2.01 |
11 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
22.1 |
17 |
9 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
17 |
0 |
10 |
5 |
.213 |
| Rafael Dolis | Estrellas | 2012 | 1 |
1 |
2.45 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
7.1 |
7 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
.250 |
| Randy Keisler | Escogido | 2008 | 0 |
2 |
3.86 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
21.0 |
18 |
9 |
9 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
9 |
1 |
.231 |
| Adalberto Mendez | Toros del Este | 2005-06 | 1 |
1 |
3.57 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
17.2 |
12 |
9 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
.182 |
| Ramon Ortiz | Licey | 2011 | 0 |
1 |
1.08 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
8.1 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
.281 |
| Horacio Ramirez | Toros del Este | 2012 | 0 |
2 |
3.18 |
10 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
28.1 |
33 |
16 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
10 |
0 |
21 |
1 |
.287 |
| Polin Trinidad | Toros del Este | 2011 | 0 |
0 |
*.** |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.000 |
| Raul Valdes | Toros del Este | 2005-06 | 1 |
2 |
3.09 |
8 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
32.0 |
25 |
16 |
11 |
2 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
26 |
3 |
.203 |
FINAL REGULAR SEASON PITCHING LEADERS:
Miguel Batista: 5 HRA (T2), 9 GS (4)
Jairo Asencio: 12 SV (1), 22 GF (2)
Frankie De La Cruz: 17 BB (T2)
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE:
Culiacan swept Hermosillo in the first round of the playoffs while the other two series went the full seven games. Mexicali edged Mazatlan and Guasave topped Obregon in the other pairings. Despite losing the series, Obregon earned the chance to move on to the semi-finals as a "wild card" and are tied 1-1 with Culiacan. Guasave and Mexicali are also tied at a game apiece in their series. OF Marlon Byrd (rehab in 2011) had a great regular season for Culiacan, but is batting .222 (6-for-27) with two homers, six RBI, and 10 strikeouts in 10 games in the playoffs. RH Rodrigo Lopez (2012) is also with Culican for the playoffs and has no record and a 2.19 ERA in two post-season starts. Lopez is ninth in the league in playoff ERA and fourth in strikeouts (11). IF Alfredo Amezaga (2012), RH Esmailin Caridad (2009-12), and RH Marco Carrillo (2011-12) remain alive with Obregon. After winning the regular season batting title, Amezaga is hitting .211 (8-for-38) with four runs scored and three RBI in nine post-season games. Caridad is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in eight games. He is tied for the post-season lead in appearances and ranks sixth in RBI. He has fanned eight batters in nine post-season innings. Carrillo is 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA (6R/8.2IP) in two playoff starts. RH Jay Jackson (2009-12) and OF Chris Walker (2007) were with Mazatlan and are out of the playoffs. Jackson was 1-1 with an 8.31 ERA (8ER/11.2IP) in three games (two starts). Walker batted .280 (7-for-25) with a double and three RBI in his post-season action.
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 |
| Alfredo Amezaga | Obregon | 2012 | .344 |
55 |
227 |
40 |
78 |
12 |
2 |
5 |
26 |
15 |
39 |
5 |
5 |
.384 |
.480 |
.864 |
| Ben Broussard | Navojoa | 2008 | .297 |
18 |
64 |
11 |
19 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
.378 |
.547 |
.925 |
| Marlon Byrd | Culiacan | 2011 | .318 |
57 |
220 |
44 |
70 |
13 |
0 |
16 |
46 |
26 |
57 |
3 |
1 |
.394 |
.595 |
.989 |
| Greg Rohan | Mazatlan | 2012 | .205 |
11 |
39 |
4 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
.244 |
.205 |
.449 |
| Christian Villanueva | Obregon | Cubs Prospect | .176 |
23 |
51 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
6 |
25 |
0 |
1 |
.283 |
.353 |
.636 |
| Chris Walker | Mazatlan | 2007 | .289 |
36 |
142 |
22 |
41 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
22 |
17 |
29 |
9 |
6 |
.369 |
.401 |
.770 |
FINAL REGULAR SEASON BATTING LEADERS:
Marlon Byrd: .318 AVG (8), .595 SLG (4)
Alfredo Amezaga: .344 AVG (1), 78 H (T5)
| 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. |
| Esmailin Caridad | Obregon | 2009-12 | 1 |
3 |
2.57 |
37 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
42.0 |
39 |
16 |
12 |
2 |
1 |
12 |
0 |
49 |
5 |
.250 |
| Marco Carrillo | Obregon | 2010-11 | 6 |
5 |
3.13 |
14 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
86.1 |
83 |
30 |
30 |
5 |
1 |
36 |
1 |
54 |
5 |
.263 |
| Jay Jackson | Mazatlan | 2009-12 | 3 |
2 |
3.86 |
10 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
49.0 |
48 |
21 |
21 |
2 |
1 |
13 |
0 |
34 |
1 |
.255 |
| Rodrigo Lopez | Culiacan | 2012 | 5 |
1 |
0.94 |
7 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
38.1 |
18 |
5 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
17 |
0 |
.142 |
| Sergio Mitre | Mexicali | 2004-05 | 1 |
1 |
1.59 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
11.1 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
.200 |
FINAL REGULAR SEASON PITCHING LEADERS:
Marco Carrillo: 3.13 ERA (2), 6 wins (T2), 86.1 IP (1), 36 BB (2), 1.38 WHIP (5), .263 OPP AVG. (5)
Esmailin Caridad: 12 Holds (2), 37 G (T3)
PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE:
There are just two days left in round robin play before the top two teams move into a best-of-seven series to crown a champion. Mayaguez (7-3) has locked up a spot in the finals and Caguas (6-4) will try to hold off Santurce (4-6) for the final spot. Carolina (3-7) is playing out the string. RH Mike Parisi (2010) had one start for Mayaguez and allowed two runs in two innings as he works back from injury. IF Luis Figueroa (2008) is batting .256 (11-for-43) wiwth a double and three runs scored in the tournament for Santurce. RH Ty'Relle Harris (2011-12), Cubs' prospect Justin Bour, and 39-year-old Pedro Valdes (1996-98) are all with Carolina. Harris is 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA (8ER/14IP) in three starts. He is tied for fourth in innings pitched and tied for the league lead in walks (8) in the post-season. Bour is batting .333 (5-for-15) with two doubles and three RBI in four games. The veteran Valdes is having the best showing. He is batting .324 (12-for-37) with two doubles, a home runs, and four RBI.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 |
| Justin Bour | Carolina | Cubs Prospect | .231 |
16 |
52 |
6 |
12 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
8 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
.333 |
.404 |
.737 |
| Luis Figueroa | Santurce | 2008 | .252 |
38 |
151 |
12 |
38 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
14 |
4 |
14 |
4 |
2 |
.268 |
.318 |
.585 |
| Edwin Maysonet | Manati | Cubs Signee | .220 |
27 |
91 |
11 |
20 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
6 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
.287 |
.308 |
.595 |
| Lou Montanez | Caguas | 2006, '11 | .214 |
16 |
56 |
4 |
12 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
8 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
.323 |
.321 |
.645 |
| Pedro Valdes | Carolina | 1996-98 | .267 |
37 |
116 |
11 |
31 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
16 |
30 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
.435 |
.379 |
.814 |
FINAL REGULAR SEASON BATTING LEADERS:
Luis Figueroa: 151 AB (4)
Pedro Valdez: 30 BB (T1), .435 OBP (1)
| 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. |
| Ty'Relle Harris | Carolina | 2011-12 | 0 |
0 |
0.71 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
12.2 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
17 |
1 |
.213 |
| Mike Parisi | Mayaguez | 2010 | 0 |
1 |
10.38 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4.1 |
9 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
.450 |
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE:
The Peoria Javelinas beat the Salt River Rafters 4-3 on Nov. 17 to win the AFL title. The Javelinas' roster was made up of prospects from the Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, Philadilphia Phillies, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners. The Rafters pulled players from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Toronto Blue Jays, and Washington Nationals. Cubs' prospects played for the Mesa Solar Sox who finished 10-20. IF Javier Baez was impressing scouts with his power and offensive tools, but missed the last two weeks with a broken thumb. IF Logan Watkins replaced Baez and finished 1-for-13 in his final four games. Watkins was the Cubs' Minor League Player of the Year his past season after hitting .281 with 20 doubles, 11 triples, nine home runs, and 52 RBI in 133 games at double-A Tennessee. OF Matt Szczur gained valuable experience by batting leadoff in 23 of the 24 games he appeared in. OF Rubi Silva went 3-for-6 in his final two games to push his AFL batting average above the Mendoza Line (.200). RH Tony Zych finished tied for third in the league with 13 appearances, but allowed three runs in two innings over his final two appearances to finish with an ERA of 3.86. RH Nick Struck (2011) allowed six runs (five earned) in 4.1 innings over his final three games. Struck was the Cubs' Minor League Pitcher of the Year at double-A Tennessee during the regular season. Dae-Eun Rhee and Kevin Rhoderick didn't pitch in the final week of the AFL. Both pitchers should compete in spring training for a shot at making Iowa's Opening Day roster and their Triple-A debuts.
FINAL REGULAR SEASON STATS:
| Player | AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
OPS |
| Javier Baez | .211 |
14 |
57 |
9 |
12 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
16 |
2 |
14 |
3 |
0 |
.250 |
.456 |
.706 |
| Rubi Silva | .206 |
20 |
68 |
8 |
14 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
21 |
3 |
1 |
.260 |
.265 |
.525 |
| Matt Szczur | .264 |
24 |
91 |
13 |
24 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
13 |
14 |
10 |
9 |
3 |
.368 |
.363 |
.731 |
| Logan Watkins | .219 |
9 |
32 |
8 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
8 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
.375 |
.344 |
.719 |
FINAL REGULAR SEASON BATTING LEADERS:
Javier Baez: 16 RBI (5)
Matt Szczur: 83 AB (T4), 22 G (T4)
| Pitcher | W |
L |
ERA |
G |
GS |
SV |
SVO |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
HR |
HB |
BB |
SO |
| Dae-Eun Rhee | 0 |
2 |
6.27 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
18.2 |
26 |
16 |
13 |
1 |
3 |
8 |
12 |
| Kevin Rhoderick | 0 |
1 |
4.82 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
9.1 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
14 |
| Nick Struck | 1 |
0 |
5.51 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
16.1 |
12 |
11 |
10 |
3 |
1 |
12 |
11 |
| Tony Zych | 1 |
0 |
3.86 |
13 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
14.0 |
18 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
FINAL REGULAR SEASON PITCHING LEADERS:
Tony Zych: 7GF (T5)
JAPANESE PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL:
1B Micah Hoffpauir (2004-10) and the Nippon-Ham Fighters won the Pacific League title, but fell 4-2 in the best-of-seven Japan Series against the Yomiuri Giants. Hoffpauir finished 1-for-10 with an RBI and a run scored during the series. The Fighters did announce that a contract extension for Hoffpauir through the 2013 season. Hoffpauir had this quote in the Fighters' official release: "I am happy that I will be able to return as a member of the Fighters in 2013 and fight to win with my teammates and the fans. While we were able to win the pennant, we unfortunately failed to win a Nippon Series. Next season, I will prepared to use all my abilities to in order to win a Nippon Series. I look forward to the continued support." During the regular season, Hoffpauir was second on the team in home runs (14) and helped the Fighters to a 73-58 record. IF/OF Edgar Gonzalez (2012) left Iowa after two weeks in April to join the Yomiuri Giants in Japan this year. He hit .236 with four homers and 19 RBI in 57 games during the regular season. He made one start at DH and entered one game as a pinch-hitter in the Japan Series. He was 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored against the Fighters. IF Bobby Scales (2008-11) started the season with the New York Mets' organization at Triple-A Buffalo and was leading the International League in hitting in April before going back to Japan. He played for the Orix Buffaloes and hit .262 in 85 games. OF Matt Murton (2005, '07-08) continued his three-year run in Japan and hit .260 with five homers and 38 RBI in 121 games for the Hanshin Tigers. LH Renyel Pinto (2004-05) made the move to Japan this year, but lasted just two starts with the Hawks. He was one of the top pitchers in Venezuela last winter.
| Player | Team | AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
OPS |
| Micah Hoffpauir | Nippon-Ham Fighters | .234 |
109 |
296 |
28 |
73 |
13 |
0 |
14 |
37 |
25 |
81 |
1 |
1 |
.311 |
.432 |
.743 |
| Matt Murton | Hanshin Tigers | .260 |
121 |
453 |
39 |
118 |
18 |
2 |
5 |
38 |
18 |
56 |
2 |
4 |
.290 |
.342 |
.632 |
| Bobby Scales | Orix Buffaloes | .262 |
85 |
305 |
42 |
80 |
16 |
3 |
5 |
23 |
47 |
103 |
4 |
1 |
.373 |
.384 |
.757 |
| Edgar Gonzalez | Yomiuri Giants | .236 |
57 |
174 |
13 |
41 |
12 |
0 |
4 |
19 |
0 |
2 |
13 |
46 |
.291 |
.374 |
.665 |
| Pitcher | Team | W |
L |
ERA |
G |
GS |
SV |
SVO |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
HR |
HB |
BB |
SO |
| Renyel Pinto | Fukuoka Softbank Hawks | 1 |
1 |
7.36 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
7.1 |
9 |
8 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
6 |
WOLRD BASEBALL CLASSIC QUALIFIERS:
The World Baseball Classic will be played again in March and the first round of qualifying tournaments are complete. Brazil upset host Panama 1-0 to win their pool that also included Colombia and Nicaragua. RH Manny Corpas (2012) pitched well for Panama, allowing one run in 5.1 innings over four relief appearances. Chinese Taipei beat New Zealand 9-0 to win their pool in their home stadium. Former I-Cub RH Hung-Wen Chen (2010-11) made one appearance and struck out three in an inning and a third of scoreless relief. RH Yao-Lin Wang is a current member of the Cubs' organization and went 4-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 37 games (nine starts) with the single-A Peoria Chiefs this past season. Thailand and the Phillipines were also included in that pool. In September, Spain beat Israel 9-7 in the first pool play at Roger Dean Stadium in Florida. South Africa and France were the other teams in the round robin. OF Adam Greenberg (2004, '06) played in two games for Israel before the Miami Marlins gave him his famous at-bat against R.A. Dickey in the regular season finale. Of note, Greenberg didn't register an official at-bat in his two games for Israel. He was a sub in one game and walked in his only plate appearance. C Chris Robinson (2007, '09-11) was an offensive leader for Team Canada's win in the second tournament at the Armin-Wolf Baseball Arena in Germany. Canada beat the host Germans 11-1 in the final game. LH Sheldon McDonald (2012) pitched for Team Canada. He spent one day with Iowa this season, but didn't pitch. He spent most of his year with Peoria and was 1-3 with a 1.89 ERA in 33 appearances for the Chiefs. LH's Will Ohman (2001, '05, '07) and Luke Sommer (2011) pitched for Germany. Ohman began last season with the Chicago White Sox and finished the year with triple-A Louisville in the Cincinnati Reds organization. Great Britain and the Czech Republic also played in that tournament.
| Player | Country | AVG |
G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
OPS |
| Adam Greenberg | Israel | .000 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.000 |
.000 |
1.000 |
| Chris Robinson | Canada | .455 |
3 |
11 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
.500 |
.727 |
1.227 |
| Pitcher | Tournament | W |
L |
ERA |
G |
GS |
SV |
SVO |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
HR |
HB |
BB |
SO |
| Hung-Wen Chen | Chinese Taipei | 0 |
0 |
0.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
| Manny Corpas | Panama | 0 |
0 |
1.69 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5.1 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
| Sheldon McDonald | Canada | 1 |
0 |
6.75 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
| Will Ohman | Germany | 0 |
0 |
0.00 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2.0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Luke Sommer | Germany | 0 |
1 |
2.70 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6.2 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
| Yao-Lin Wang | Chinese Taipei | 1 |
0 |
0.00 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3.2 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
*Stats are courtesy of Major League Baseball Advanced Media, USA Baseball, and NPB Offical Website.
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We hope you enjoy the Winter League report this off-season. Don't forget to check back each week 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].