Winter League Report, November 26
I-CUBS WINTER LEAGUE UPDATE
November 26, 2012
On the Hot Stove, Major League clubs set their 40-man rosters ahead of the Winter Meetings and clubs have been signing free agents this week. On the field, winter ball is in full swing. We've got updates on all of the former I-Cubs and Cubs prospects in action on the field and on the transaction list. Come back each week to keep tabs on your favorite players getting ready for 2013.
TRANSACTIONS:
The Chicago Cubs designated Bryan LaHair (2010-11) for assignment to clear room on their 40-man roster and the slugger was released to sign a two-year contract with the Softbank Hawks in the Japanese Pacific League. In other roster adjusting moves, the Cubs traded RH Jake Brigham back to the Texas Rangers for RH Barret Loux and a player to be named later. The Cubs originally acquired Brigham from the Rangers during the season in exchange for Geovany Soto. Loux was the Texas League Pitcher of the Year for double-A Frisco last season. He was 14-1 with a 3.47 ERA in 25 starts. Loux is a former first round pick and a college teammate of Cubs' LH Brooks Raley at Texas A&M. The Cubs added RH Trey McNutt, 3B Christian Villanueva, IF Logan Watkins, and RH Robert Whitenack to their 40-man roster. RH Carlos Gutierrez was outrighted to Iowa. The Cubs claimed Gutierrez off waivers from the Minnesota Twins earlier in the off-season. On the minor league side, the Cubs signed OF Brian Bogusevic, SS Alberto Gonzalez, and OF Johermyn Chavez. Bogusevic is a Chicago-area native and hit .203 with seven home runs and 28 RBI in 146 games with the Houston Astros last year. He was originally a first-round pick as a pitcher out of Tulane in 2005. Gonzalez hit .241 in 24 games with the Rangers last year and .314 with two homers and six RBI in 14 games with Round Rock. He is currently playing for Margarita in Venezuela. Chavez hit .232 with eight homers and 26 RBI in 75 games for double-A Jackson in the Seattle Mariners' organization last year. He's also playing in Venezuela this winter.
Several former I-Cubs were in the news for other organizations this week. Bobby Scales (2008-11) has made the move from player to front office member. After finishing the 2012 season in Japan, Scales was hired by the Los Angeles Angels as their Director of Player Development. Several players signed to minor league deals. The Pittsburgh Pirates inked OF Felix Pie (2006-08), the Cincinnati Reds signed RH Jeff Stevens (2009-11), and the Cleveland Indians signed IF Nate Spears (2008-09). The Kansas City Royals designed RH Chris Volstad (2012) for assignment and the Astros outrighted IF Scott Moore (2006-07, '11) to triple-A Oklahoma City. On the coaching front, Les Lancaster (1987-90) was named the pitching coach for short-season Williamsport in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Lancaster was the pitching coach for single-A Lakewood in the South Atlantic League last year. Joe Torre will manage Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in March and his coaching staff will have an Iowa flavor as future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux (1986-87) will serve as a pitching coach. Former Iowa Oak Marcel Lachemann (1969-72) will also be on the staff as the bullpen/pitching coach. Lachemann will be a member of the Angels' front office for 2013.
VENEZUELAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Zulia (22-15) moved into first place, a half-game better than Magallanes (22-16). Caracas (22-18) is a game and a half back in third place. IF Luis Valbuena (2012) was 3-for-3 with two homers and five RBI on Thanksgiving Day for Lara and is among the league leaders in several categories. Valbuena is second in on-base percentage (.456), third in walks (22), fourth in slugging (.570), and tied for fourth in batting (.330). RH Austin Bibens-Dirkx (2010-11) has pitched well in Zulia's rise. He allowed one run and struck out six in 6.1 innings, but didn't get a decision in his last start at Caribes on Nov. 24. Caracas has a roster filled with players with Iowa ties. OF Tony Campana (2011-12) joined the team this week and has played in just a few games. After a hot start, SS Marwin Gonzalez (2011) is 0-for-9 in his last three games. OF Josh Kroeger (2007-08) put together a 10-game hitting streak that included a pair of 3-hit games from Nov. 15-22. 3B Josh Vitters joined Caracas on Nov. 16, went 0-for-7 in his first two games, and hasn't played again since Nov. 18. RH Yoanner Negrin (2012) leads the league in innings pitched and starts. RH Sean Gallagher (2007-08) pitched five shutout innings for a win in his first start on Nov. 21 at Caribes. OF Jackson Melian (2003) and OF Dave Sappelt (2012) are struggling for Margarita. Melian is 3-for-32 (.094) in his last 11 games and Sappelt is 0-for-13 in his last three. C Max Ramirez (2010) is back on track and ranks ninth in the league with a .315 batting average. LH Renyel Pinto (2004-05) earned a win in his last start against Caracas on Nov. 23. He allowed two runs on four hits and struck out eight in seven innings. SS Ronny Cedeno (2004-05, '07) recently had a 10-game hitting streak snapped on Nov. 20 for Aragua.
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 | .190 |
17 |
42 |
6 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
7 |
10 |
1 |
0 |
.300 |
.238 |
.538 |
Andres Blanco | Magallanes | 2008-09 | .167 |
19 |
54 |
8 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
12 |
17 |
0 |
0 |
.333 |
.222 |
.556 |
Henry Blanco | Margarita | 2007 | .131 |
24 |
61 |
4 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
7 |
8 |
22 |
0 |
0 |
.236 |
.230 |
.466 |
J.C. Boscan | Caracas | Cubs Signee | .284 |
20 |
67 |
5 |
19 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
.324 |
.313 |
.637 |
Tony Campana | Caracas | 2011-12 | .133 |
4 |
15 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
.278 |
.200 |
.478 |
Ronny Cedeno | Aragua | 2004-05, '07 | .304 |
13 |
56 |
7 |
17 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
.339 |
.321 |
.660 |
Johermyn Chavez | Caribes | Cubs Signee | .280 |
14 |
25 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
4 |
11 |
0 |
1 |
.419 |
.400 |
.819 |
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 | .350 |
6 |
20 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
.381 |
.350 |
.731 |
Marwin Gonzalez | Caracas | 2011 | .192 |
9 |
26 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
.353 |
.308 |
.661 |
Jae-Hoon Ha | Aragua | Cubs Prospect | .224 |
26 |
76 |
6 |
17 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
25 |
6 |
0 |
.280 |
.303 |
.583 |
Josh Kroeger | Caracas | 2007-08 | .297 |
22 |
74 |
8 |
22 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
20 |
13 |
5 |
3 |
.454 |
.365 |
.818 |
Jackson Melian | Margarita | 2003 | .280 |
24 |
75 |
13 |
21 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
16 |
11 |
25 |
1 |
2 |
.409 |
.493 |
.902 |
Max Ramirez | Margarita | 2011 | .326 |
27 |
89 |
11 |
29 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
11 |
12 |
1 |
0 |
.417 |
.382 |
.799 |
Dave Sappelt | Margarita | 2012 | .196 |
11 |
46 |
5 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
.240 |
.326 |
.566 |
Luis Valbuena | Lara | 2012 | .330 |
28 |
100 |
20 |
33 |
10 |
1 |
4 |
19 |
22 |
17 |
1 |
0 |
.456 |
.570 |
1.026 |
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 |
LEAGUE LEADERS:
Jae-Hoon Ha: 6 SB (T4)
Luis Valbuena: .330 (T4), .456 OBP (2), .570 SLG (4), 22 BB (3)
Ty Wright: 2 TRPL (T4)
Max Ramirez: .315 (9)
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. |
Austin Bibens-Dirkx | Zulia | 2010-11 | 1 |
0 |
1.63 |
7 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
27.2 |
25 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
31 |
0 |
.243 |
Sean Gallagher | Caracas | 2007-08 | 1 |
0 |
0.00 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
8.0 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
.214 |
Yoanner Negrin | Caracas | 2012 | 2 |
1 |
3.49 |
8 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
38.2 |
43 |
15 |
15 |
3 |
2 |
12 |
0 |
28 |
0 |
.287 |
Renyel Pinto | Caribes | 2004-05 | 2 |
1 |
2.45 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
25.2 |
19 |
8 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
13 |
0 |
23 |
0 |
.213 |
Les Walrond | La Guaira | 2006-08 | 0 |
3 |
3.56 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
30.1 |
39 |
15 |
12 |
1 |
2 |
15 |
0 |
24 |
0 |
.317 |
LEAGUE LEADERS:
Yoanner Negrin: 43.2 IP (T1), 9 GS (T1)
DOMINICAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Estrellas de Oriente (21-11) maintains their lead in the Dominican. Aguilas Cibaenas (18-13) is two and a half games back in second place and Toros del Este (18-14) is three games back in third. SS Junior Lake continues to pace the Estrellas offense. He is third in the league in batting (.330), but is also third in strikeouts (30). After playing shortstop early in the year, he has seen action at both third base and left field in his last eight games. OF Felix Pie (2006-08) has hit safely in six of his last seven games, but has only one multi-hit game during this stretch. RH Frankie De La Cruz (2012) has moved to Estrellas' bullpen and delivered. He has pitched 8.2 shutout innings and earned two wins in his last three games. RH Rafael Dolis (2012) made his debut with Estrellas on Nov. 23. 3B Diory Hernandez (2012) had a big week for Toros del Este. He was 4-for-5 with three runs scored on Nov. 23 and has hit safely in five straight games. He is batting .444 (8-for-18) durig this stretch. RH Jairo Asencio (2012) leads the league with nine saves and 16 games finished. RH Alberto Cabrera (2011-12) struck out four in two scoreless innings on Nov. 20 vs. Escogido and LH Jeff Antigua (Cubs Prospect) has allowed three runs in 8.1 innings over his last nine games. LHPolin Trinidad (2011) made his debut for Aguilas on Nov. 24 and faced one batter. That one batter was St. Louis Cardinals' prospect Oscar Tavares and Tavares connected on a home run. RH Michael Bowden (2012) pitched well, but lost in his last start vs. Toros del Este on Nov. 21. He allowed two runs on six hits in five innings, but came up on the short end of a 2-1 score.
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 | .250 |
13 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.500 |
.250 |
.750 |
Diory Hernandez | Toros del Este | 2012 | .252 |
30 |
103 |
17 |
26 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
12 |
16 |
13 |
5 |
1 |
.347 |
.311 |
.658 |
Junior Lake | Estrellas | Cubs Prospect | .330 |
29 |
97 |
12 |
32 |
7 |
0 |
2 |
11 |
8 |
30 |
6 |
1 |
.389 |
.464 |
.853 |
Felix Pie | Estrellas | 2006-08 | .248 |
30 |
109 |
18 |
27 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
13 |
18 |
23 |
7 |
2 |
.357 |
.330 |
.687 |
Nate Spears | Gigantes | 2008-09 | .063 |
6 |
16 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
.200 |
.063 |
.263 |
LEAGUE LEADERS:
Junior Lake: .330 AVG (3), 30 K (3)
Felix Pie: 18 BB (T1)
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 |
4.60 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
15.2 |
16 |
8 |
8 |
4 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
14 |
1 |
.296 |
Jairo Asencio | Toros del Este | 2012 | 0 |
2 |
2.40 |
16 |
0 |
9 |
9 |
15.0 |
18 |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
15 |
0 |
.295 |
Miguel Batista | Aguilas | 1997 | 1 |
1 |
3.00 |
6 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
24.0 |
29 |
11 |
8 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
14 |
3 |
.290 |
Michael Bowden | Aguilas | 2012 | 1 |
2 |
4.70 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
15.1 |
18 |
9 |
8 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
.286 |
Alberto Cabrera | Toros del Este | 2011-12 | 0 |
0 |
0.00 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
6 |
2 |
.154 |
Lendy Castillo | Escogido | Cubs Prospect | 0 |
1 |
2.70 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6.2 |
7 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
.280 |
Frankie De La Cruz | Estrellas | 2012 | 2 |
2 |
2.77 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
13.0 |
11 |
7 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
8 |
3 |
.234 |
Rafael Dolis | Estrellas | 2012 | 0 |
0 |
0.00 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.000 |
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 |
0 |
3.86 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9.1 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
.206 |
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 |
1 |
3.13 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
23.0 |
28 |
14 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
0 |
20 |
1 |
.295 |
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 | 0 |
1 |
4.91 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
11.0 |
9 |
7 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
12 |
1 |
.209 |
LEAGUE LEADERS:
Jairo Asencio: 9 SV (1), 16 GF (1)
MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE:
The Mexican League has moved into the second half of their season. Culican finished 22-13 to win the first half. Guasave and Obregon tied for second at 21-14. All three teams are 3-0 to start the second half. OF Marlon Byrd (rehab in 2011) has surged again for Culiacan. He has hit safely in seven straight games, batting .419 (13-for-31) with two doubles, three homers, eight runs scored, and nine RBI during this stretch. He is second in the league in runs scored (31) and hits (49). He is tied for third in batting (.338) and ranks fourth in home runs (12). RH Rodrigo Lopez (2012) pitched five shutout innings and struck out four in a win at Mexicali on Nov. 24. RH Esmailin Caridad (2009-12) continues to dominate out of Obregon's bullpen. He has not allowed a run in his last 11 innings pitched over 11 appearances. Caridad leads the league in appearances (23) and holds (10). RH Marco Carrillo (2010-11) earned two wins in two starts this week and has figued in the decision in each of his starts. Carrillo is third in the league in ERA (2.72). IF Alfredo Amezaga (2012) has hit a slump. Amezaga is batting .129 (4-for-31) without an extra-base hit or an RBI in his last eight games. RH Jay Jackson (2009-12) allowed three runs on seven hits in five innigs in a loss against Obregon on Nov. 24.
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 | .307 |
37 |
153 |
24 |
47 |
9 |
2 |
5 |
16 |
12 |
25 |
5 |
4 |
.355 |
.490 |
.846 |
Marlon Byrd | Culiacan | 2011 | .338 |
38 |
145 |
31 |
49 |
6 |
0 |
12 |
32 |
18 |
37 |
2 |
1 |
.411 |
.628 |
1.038 |
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 | .196 |
19 |
46 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
6 |
22 |
0 |
1 |
.309 |
.391 |
.700 |
LEAGUE LEADERS:
Marlon Byrd: .322 AVG (6), 25R (3), 10 HR (T3)
Alfredo Amezaga: .331 AVG (4), 136 AB (1), 45 H (1), 9 DBL (T2), 2 TRPL (T2)
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 |
1 |
1.35 |
23 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
26.2 |
25 |
8 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
31 |
2 |
.248 |
Marco Carrillo | Obregon | 2010-11 | 4 |
4 |
2.72 |
8 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
49.2 |
46 |
15 |
15 |
3 |
0 |
19 |
1 |
33 |
1 |
.254 |
Jay Jackson | Mazatlan | 2009-12 | 1 |
2 |
4.26 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
19.0 |
18 |
9 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
14 |
0 |
.247 |
Rodrigo Lopez | Culiacan | 2012 | 1 |
0 |
1.42 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
6.1 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
.320 |
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 |
LEAGUE LEADERS:
Marco Carrillo: 3.44 ERA (5), 4 Losses (T1)
Alfredo Amezaga: 7 Holds (1)
PUERTO RICAN WINTER LEAGUE:
Caguas (9-3) has won three straight games and leads Mayaguez (7-4) by a game and a half in the standings. 39-year-old Pedro Valdes (1996-98) has hit safley in five straight games and is hitting .389 (7-for-18) with two doubles and three RBI during this stretch. IF Luis Figueroa (2008) is 2-for-17 in his last five games and IF Edwin Maysonet is 1-for-7 in his last four.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 | Santurce | 2008 | .263 |
10 |
38 |
1 |
10 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
.282 |
.316 |
.598 |
Edwin Maysonet | Manati | Cubs Signee | .160 |
9 |
25 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
.267 |
.240 |
.507 |
Pedro Valdes | Carolina | 1996-98 | .333 |
9 |
33 |
3 |
11 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
.421 |
.424 |
.845 |
LEAGUE LEADERS:
Luis Figueroa: .360 AVG (5), 4SB (T1)
Alfredo Amezaga: .346 AVG (7)
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. |
LEAGUE LEADERS:
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.
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 |
LEAGUE 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 |
LEAGUE 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.
MLB.com provides daily updates on winter league action here.
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].