Winter League Update
Winter league baseball provides an opportunity for Minor League players to continue their development during the offseason whether they take the short trip to Arizona, or catch a flight all the way to the Caribbean or Australia.
Just over two weeks remain in the Arizona Fall League season and the Mesa Solar Sox are currently 12-14 and four games behind Salt River for first place in the division. After a slow start, the Solar Sox have won 10 of their last 16 games and part of the reason for that is the resurgence of outfielder Xavier Avery.
Avery had a rough start to his AFL season, hitting 2-for-26 (.077) in the first eight games before finally getting into a rhythm. He is now batting .310 with four triples and nine stolen bases. His solid performance earned him a spot in the AFL Rising Stars game, which is designed to showcase the best prospects in baseball, being played Saturday, Nov. 5.
First baseman Joe Mahoney also missed the first two weeks of the AFL season, but returned right as the Solar Sox hit their stride. In 12 games, he is batting .327 with five doubles and 11 RBIs.
Two former Baysox pitchers, RHP Steve Johnson and LHP Cole McCurry, are also members of the Mesa pitching staff. In five starts, Johnson is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA and he has 11 strikeouts compared to six walks in 15.0 innings. McCurry is 0-0 with a 7.84 ERA in eight appearances and 10.1 innings of work.
First baseman Aaron Baker, who came to the Orioles in the Derrek Lee trade in July, is making the biggest winter trip as he is travelling across the world to play in the Australian Baseball League that begins Nov. 4. In 15 games for the Baysox, Baker hit .196 with two doubles and three RBIs.
Baker will be a member of the Perth Heat, who are the defending ABL champions. Baysox players Robbie Widlansky, Ronnie Welty and McCurry were members of the 2010-2011 championship Perth Heat team.
A number of Baysox players are also honing their skills in the Dominican or Venezuelan Winter Leagues.
Shortstop Pedro Florimon, RHP Jose Diaz, RHP Armando Gabino and LHP Pedro Viola are all playing in the Dominican Winter League. Florimon is 2-for-12 (.167) with an RBI in seven games, Diaz is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in six games, Gabino is 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in four games, and Viola is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 10 games.
Infielder Carlos Rojas and RHP Raul Rivero are playing in the Venezuelan Winter League. Rojas is 4-for-15 (.267) in nine games and Rivero is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA and a save in eight games.
Baysox Baseball - We'll Knock Your 'Sox Off. The Baysox open their 20th season at Prince George's Stadium Thursday, April 5. To keep up with Baysox news during the offseason, visit www.baysox.com, or follow the Baysox on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BowieBaysox.