Mondesi Joins Fellow Chasers In Winter Ball
2016 Storm Chasers infielder Raul Mondesi finds himself in familiar company now, having joined Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League. In fact, six other 2016 Omaha players have worn a Tigres del Licey uniform this season prior to Mondesi's arrival.
Raul Adalberto Mondesí reportándose con los #Tigres
- Tigres del Licey (@TigresdelLicey) November 1, 2016
#LICEYesPASION pic.twitter.com/0BxS8mFUmv
After entering the 2016 Minor League Baseball campaign as the top Royals prospect, Mondesi made quick stops with High-A Wilmington, Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Omaha en route to making his Major League regular season debut wtih the Royals. Over 14 games with the Storm Chasers he recorded a .304 average (17-56) along with nine runs, two doubles, four triples, one homer and nine RBI, as well as five steals.
His best game in a Storm Chasers uniform came on July 19 against the Salt Lake Bees, when he fell a single shy of hitting for the cycle. In addition to displaying a strong mix of speed and contact, Mondesi showed off great range at both the second base and shortstop positions. He would then go on to be promoted on July 9, and in 47 Big League contests with Kansas City hit .185 (25-135) with 16 runs, one double, three triples, two homers and 13 RBI.
Other members of the 2016 Storm Chasers roster that have played with Tigres del Licey this offseason include pitchers Jonathan Dziedzic, Triple-A All-Star Andrew Edwards, and Luke Farrell, as well as catcher Tony Cruz, infielder/outfielder Hunter Dozier, and outfielder Jorge Bonifacio. Dziedzic and Farrell have gotten off to strong starts combining to yield a lone earned run in 18.0 combined innings over two starts each.
A full listing of former Storm Chasers players and Royals farmhands who are playing in the offseason Caribbean winter leagues can be found be clicking here.