Winter League Report, January 22
I-CUBS WINTER LEAGUE UPDATE
January 22, 2013
Spring training is right around the corner and teams were busy this week signing their arbitration-eligible players. In Latin America, the playoffs are winding down with just a handful of teams left fighting for their spot in the Caribbean Series. Check out the news, notes, and stats in this week's report.
TRANSACTIONS:
The Chicago Cubs won't have a case in arbitration this year as the organization signed it's three eligible players: RH Matt Garza, LH James Russell (2009-10 with Iowa) and RH Jeff Samardzija (2008-10) to one-year deals. Three former I-Cubs avoided arbitration and signed one-year deals with their current clubs: RH Jerome Williams (2005-06 signed with the Los Angeles Angels, OF Sam Fuld (2007-10) got another year with the Tampa Bay Rays, and OF Tyler Colvin (2011) will go back to the Colorado Rockies for a second season. The Rockies also signed RH Chris Volstad (2012) and RH Miguel Batista (1997) on minor league deals. RH Michael Wuertz (2002-04, '06, '08) is looking to make a comeback and has signed a minor league deal with the Miami Marlins. Wuertz last pitched in 2011. The Philadelphia Phillies signed RH Juan Cruz (2003) to a minor league contract. This will be Cruz' eight major-league organization despite good past results. He has a lifetime record of 38-36, a 4.05 ERA, and 659 strikeouts in 655 career major league innings.
Preliminary rosters were announced for the upcoming World Baseball Classic last week. You can read about the former I-Cubs that will be participating in this article.
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Round robin play concluded yesterday with Lara and Magallanes tied for the best record at 10-6. They advance to the championship series. Caribes finished third at 8-8, Caracas was fourth at 7-9, and Zulia ended at 5-11. Lara won their final give games and got a great boost from IF Luis Valbuena (2012), who batted .354 (23-for-65) with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, 17 RBI, and 10 rus scored in 16 games. He led the league in hits and RBI for the post-season and finished second in batting. In four starts for Magallanes, RH Carlos Zambrano (2000-02, '10) was 1-0 with a 3.13 ERA. In 23 innings, he allowed 10 runs (eight earned) on 18 hits, walked 10, and struck out 16. He led the post-seaosn in innings pitched, was tied for the lead in walks, tied for third in strikeouts, and ranked fifth in ERA. C Robinson Chirinos (2010) is 0-for-5 in two games for Magallanes. LH Renyel Pinto (2004-05) had a tough run in the post-season for Caribes. In four games (one start), he was 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA (3ER/4.2IP). OF Johermyn Chavez (Cubs' Signee) was 0-for-7 with a pair of strikeouts in three games. For Caracas, OF Josh Kroeger (2007-08) batted .213 (10-for-47) with a double and three RBI in 11 games and C J.C. Boscan was 0-for-1 in a pinch-hit appearance. LH Les Walrond (2006-08) was 1-1 with a 5.54 ERA in three starts in the playoffs for Caracas after spending the regular season with La Guaira. RH Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2010-11) made four starts in the tournament for Zulia and finished 1-2 with a 3.06 ERA (6ER/17IP). He allowed 14 hits and struck out 13 in 17.2 innings. C Juan Apodaca (2012) batted .364 (4-for-11) with a homer and four RBI in four 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:
Round robin play wrapped up on January 17 with Aguilas Cibaenas (11-6) and Escogido (10-7) winning the top two spots. Toros del Este (8-9) and Estrellas (5-12) were eliminated. Escogido has taken a 4-0 lead in the best-of-nine championship series to draw within a game of advancing. C Henry Blanco (rehab in 2007) is 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in the championship series for Escogido. 41-year-old RH Miguel Batista (1997) and 23-year-old RH Frank Batista (2012), who I don't believe are related, have each pitched for Aguilas. Miguel has allowed two runs in one inning combined between two appearances. Frank pitched a scoreless inning in his only appearance in game three. RH Alberto Cabrera (2011-12) led the league with a 0.92 ERA in the post-season for Toros del Este. He allowed four runs, two earned, in 19.2 innings over four starts. SS Junior Lake had an excellent regular season, but hit just .231 (12-for-52) in the tournament. He did tie for third in the league with five stolen bases in six attemtps.
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:
The championship series starts today with Obergon taking on Mexicali. Obregon beat Culiacan 4-1 in the first pairing and Mexicali beat Guasave 4-3 in the other. IF Alfredo Amezaga (2012) won the regular season batting title and is batting .245 (11-for-49) with a double, three RBI, and seven runs scored in 12 games. RH Esmailin Caridad (2009-12) has pitched well out of Obregon's bullpen. In nine post-season appearances, he is 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA and eight strikeouts in 9.1 innings. OF Marlon Byrd (rehab in 2011) came on strong at the end of the playoffs, but it wasn't enough to keep his Culiacan team alive. Byrd hit .350 (14-for-40) with a double, two homers, and six RBI. His average ranks eighth in the post-season. RH Rodrigo Lopez (2012) had no record and ranked sixth in the playoffs with a 2.19 ERA (3ER/12.1IP) in two starts. He struck out 11 batters in 12.1 innings.
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:
Mayaguez (8-4) and Caguas (7-5) finished with the top two records in round robin play and are squaring off in a best-of-seven championship series. Caguas currently leads 2-1. OF Lou Montanez (2006, '11) is 2-for-4 witha double, two stolen bases, and a run scored for Caguas. 39-year-old Pedro Valdes (1996-98) played very well for Carolina and is headed to the World Baseball Classic with Puerto Rico. Valdes hit .357 (15-for-42) with four doubles, a home run, and five RBI in 12 games in the tournament. He finished third in the league in batting, second in OBP (.460), and fifth in slugging (.524) and doubles (4). Cubs' prospect Justin Bour also held his own, batting .333 (5-for-15) with two doubles and three RBI in four post-season games.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].