Winter League Report, January 28
I-CUBS WINTER LEAGUE UPDATE
January 28, 2013
At post time, it is just over two weeks until Chicago Cubs' pitchers and catchers report to spring trianing on February 12. Clubs continue to shape their rosters headed into camp and only Venezuela has yet to crown a champion to compete in the Carribbean Series. Keep reading for all the details!
TRANSACTIONS:
The Chicago Cubs officially announced their signing of RH Carlos Villanueva to a two-year deal on January 26. The signing was first reported during the Winter Meetings. Villanueva has split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen with the Toronto Blue Jays the last two seasons. To make room for Villanueva on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated RH Lendy Castillo for assignment. The Cubs had to keep Castillo on the 25-man roster throughout last season after selecting him in the Rule 5 draft in December, 2011. Reports also indicate that the Cubs have signed OF Scott Hairston to a two-year deal, but the team hasn't announced that yet. The Cubs would need to clear another 40-man roster spot in order to add Hairston. Hairston's fater, Jerry, played for the Iowa Oaks in 1973-74 and '76 and his brother, Jerry Jr., had a rehab assignent in Des Moines in 2005 as a member of the Cubs. The Cubs also signed C Jair Fernandez to a minor league deal. Fernandez played two games with Oklahoma City last season, but spent most of the year at double-A Corpus Christi in the Houston Astros organization.
The Milwaukee Brewers avoided arbitration with RH Jim Henderson (2007-08 with Iowa) by signing him to a one-year deal. The Texas Rangers signed IF Jeff Baker (rehab in 2011) and LH Nate Robertson (2012) to minor league deals that included invitations to spring training. The Toronto Blue Jays signed RH Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2010-11) to a minor league deal. The Boston Red Sox designated RH Chris Carpenter (2010-11) for assignment. The Cubs sent Carpenter to the Red Sox last season as compensation for the hiring of Theo Epstein as President of Baseball Operations. The Cincinnati Reds announced the retirement of LH Ron Mahay (2001-02). Mahay last pitched in the big leagues with the Minnesota Twins in 2010.
On the coaching front, the Baltimore Orioles announced their minor league staffs that included some names with I-Cubs ties. Jose Hernandez (1993) will be a coach at Triple-A Norfolk, Kennie Steenstra (1993-98) will be their pitching coach at high-A Frederick in the Carolina League, and Matt Merullo (1996) will be their manager at short-season Aberdeen in the New York-Penn League. Steenstra holds the Iowa franchise records for career starts (105), losses (41), and innings pitched (651.0).
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Magallanes and Lara are tied at two games apiece in the best-of-seven championship series. IF Luis Valbuena (2012) is batting .333 (5-for-15) with two doubles, a home run, and three RBI in the series. He is leading the entire Venezuelan league in batting (.350), RBI (20), and extra-base hits (9) in post-season play overall. He is also tied for first in hits (28), tied for second in doubles (5), and fourth in slugging (.550). RH Carlos Zambrano (2000-02, '10) is pitching for Magallanes in the series and earned the win as the starter in game one. He allowed two run on four hits in five innings in that game. Zambrano is 2-0 with a 3.21 ERA in five post-season starts. He leads the league in post-season innings (28.0) and walks (11). He also ranks third in strikeouts (20) and sixth in ERA (3.21). RH Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2010-11) ranks fifth in the league with a 3.06 post-season ERA 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:
Escogido clinched their spot in the Caribbean Series with a five-game sweep of Aguilas in the best-of-nine championship series. C Henry Blanco (rehab in '07) was 2-for-13 with a run scored and an RBI in the series for Escogido. LH Randy Keisler (2008) pitched for Escogido in the round robin tournament, but didn't make an appearance in the championship series. RH Miguel Batista (1997) had no record and a 7.56 ERA in six games (two starts) in the post-season for Aguilas and RH Frank Batista (2012) pitched a scoreless inning in each of his two appearances. RH Alberto Cabrera (2011-12) led the league with a 0.92 post-season ERA for Toros del Este and RH Jairo Asencio (2012) was tied for third in the league with two post-season saves.
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:
Obregon swept Mexicali 4-0 in the championship series to earn their third straight Mexican League title and advance to the Caribbean Series. IF Alfredo Amezaga (2012) hit .333 (6-for-18) with a double, two RBI, and three runs scored in the championship series and .269 (18-for-67) with three doubles, five RBI, and 11 runs scored in 16 post-season games overall for Obregon. RH Esmailin Caridad (2009-12) earned a hold in his only appearance in the championship series and was 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA (4ER/9.2IP) in 10 total playoff appearances. RH Marco Carrillo (2010-11) got the start for Obregon in game three of the championship series and allowed three runs on four hits in 5.1 innings, but didn't figure in the decision of the game. Carrillo was 1-2 with a 5.21 ERA (11ER/19IP) in four post-season starts.
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:
Caguas defeated Mayaguez 4-2 in their best-of-seven championship series to win the league title and advance to the Caribbean Series. OF Lou Montanez (2006, '11) was the only former I-Cub to appear in the championship series and was 2-for-4 with a double and two stolen bases in two games. 1B Pedro Valdes (1996-98) finished second in the league in slugging (.460), third in batting (.357), and fifth in slugging (.524) for Carolina in post-season play. RH Ty'Relle Harris (2011-12) pitched for Carolina in the post-season and finished 10th in the league in ERA (5.14).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].