Winter League Report 11/15: Dominican Republic

Throughout the off-season, www.iowacubs.com will check in with Iowa Cubs of the past, present and future playing winter ball. The first edition highlights the Dominican Winter League. 

AGUILAS CIBAENAS
JUAN PEREZ, OF (2016 with Iowa)
Stats: .319 (29-for-91), 23G, 8 2B, 3HR, 18RBI, 7BB, 19K, 0/0 SB
Perez suits up for Aguilas for the sixth consecutive winter. The Dominican native is batting .319 (29-for-91) in 23 games, and currently holds an eight-game hitting streak with multiple RBI in four of his last six games. His 18 RBI lead the club.
Background: Perez played for the Iowa Cubs in his only season in the Cubs organization in 2016, playing in 117 games and batting .276 (105-for-381) with 27 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, 57 RBI and 16 stolen bases. Perez earned a World Series ring in 2014 as a member of the San Francisco Giants, appearing in six of the seven games and starting two of them, batting .250 (3-for-12) with a double and three RBI against the Kansas City Royals.
DAURY TORREZ, RHP (Prospect)
Stats: 0-0, 3.38 ERA, 3G, 2.2IP, 1R, 1ER, 1HR, 1K
Torrez participates in winter ball for the first time as a professional, appearing in three games out of the bullpen for Aguilas. He started off his campaign with two scoreless innings, before surrendering one run in 0.2 innings in his most recent outing.
Background: Torrez appeared in 43 games for the Tennessee Smokies in 2017, his first season at the Double-A level. He went 6-4 with a 1.40 ERA (12ER/77.1 IP), the lowest ERA on the team among pitchers with at least 20.0 innings pitched.
ESTRELLAS DE ORIENTE
JUNIOR LAKE, OF (2013-15 with Iowa)
Stats: .309 (17-for-55), 15G, 3 2B, 3HR, 7RBI, 1BB, 7K, 1/1 SB
Lake returns to Estrellas for the eighth consecutive winter, first appearing for them in 2009 at the age of 19. He's hit three home runs in 15 games so far in 2017, tied for the team lead in homers with Sócrates Brito and Gabriel Guerrero.
Background: Lake made his professional debut in the Chicago Cubs organization in 2007 at the age of 17. He made his major league debut on July 19, 2013, going 3-for-4 with a stolen base. He hit .284 with six homers and 16 RBI in 64 games as a rookie in 2013. Lake also spent time in the Orioles, Blue Jays and Red Sox organizations, and most recently played for Bravos de Leon of the Mexican League. 
JUAN PANIAGUA, RHP (2017 with Iowa)
Stats: 0-3, 5.65 ERA, 6G, 5.0IP, 4R, 4ER, 2HR, 1BB, 4K
Paniagua pitches for Estrellas for the second consecutive offseason, appearing in six games out of the bullpen. He has compiled a 1-1 record in five innings pitched, giving up runs in each of his last three outings.
Background: Paniagua served as a swingman for the I-Cubs in 2017, making seven appearances out of the bullpen and four starts. He compiled a 0-3 record and a 5.65 ERA (18ER/28.2IP) with 18 walks and 20 strikeouts. Paniagua was released by the Cubs on June 29, 2017.
FELIX PEÑA, RHP (2016-17 with Iowa)
Stats: 2-1, 5.54 ERA, 4G, 2.2IP, 1R, 1ER, 1HR, 3BB, 3K
Peña returns to Estrellas after pitching for them at the conclusion of the 2015 season. He has appeared in four games out of the bullpen, tossing three scoreless outings before giving up one earned run in 0.2 innings in his most recent game on October 31.
Background: The right-hander made his debut in the Cubs' system in 2009 as a teenager, making his major league debut with Chicago on August 19, 2016. Peña appeared in 60 games for Iowa between 2016-17, compiling a 5-5 record with a 4.22 ERA in 102.1 innings, walking 37 and striking out 127. He was traded to the Angels on October 9, 2017.
GIGANTES DEL CIBAO
RANDY ROSARIO, LHP (Acquired by Chicago, Nov. 3)
Stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2G, 1.0IP, 1BB, 1K
Rosario has appeared in two games for Gigantes del Cibao, both when he was a member of the Minnesota Twins organization. The southpaw was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on November 3.
Background: Rosario spent most of the 2017 season splitting time between Advanced-A Fort Myers and Double-A Chattanooga in Minnesota's organization, before being called up to the majors to make his debut with the Twins on June 7. Rosario has yet to pitch in a game at the Triple-A level.
LEONES DEL ESCOGIDO
CASEY KELLY, RHP (2017 with Iowa)
Stats: 0-2, 7.16 ERA, 5G, 5GS, 16.1IP, 15R, 13ER, 2HR, 1BB, 14K
Kelly is pitching in his first season for Leones del Escogido, tied on the staff for most games started with five. The right-hander has given up at least two earned runs in each of his five starts, giving up a five runs on October 30 in 1.2 innings.
Background: Kelly started the season in Iowa, appearing in 12 games (11 starts) with a 4.65 ERA (31ER/60.0IP) to go along with 23 walks and 43 strikeouts. He threw a seven-inning, complete game shutout on June 9. Kelly was released by the Cubs on July 20, and latched onto the Giants' organization, where he made seven starts for Triple-A Sacramento.
CARLOS PIMENTEL, RHP (2014-15 with Iowa)
Stats: 0-0, 1.29 ERA, 4G, 7.0IP, 1R, 1ER, 3BB, 8K
The Dominican native returns to Escogido for the sixth consecutive winter. In four games of relief, he's only surrendered one run and has struck out eight.
Background: Pimentel spent the 2014-15 seasons as primarily a starter for the I-Cubs, appearing in 56 total games and starting 41. He had a terrific 2015 season for Iowa, going 12-6 with a 2.95 ERA (47ER/143.1IP) in 26 starts, finishing second in the PCL in earned run average and claiming PCL Picher of the Year accolades. He most recently pitched in the Mexican League and independent ball during the 2017 season.
TIGRES DEL LICEY
ARISMENDY ALCANTARA, UTIL (2014-16 with Iowa)
Stats: .143 (6-for-42), 14G, 8R, 1 2B, 1HR, 2RBI, 1BB, 20K, 0/0 SB
Alcantara is playing in his sixth straight season for Licey, first suiting up for them in 2009 at age 19. He has struggled mightily this winter for them, only mustering up two extra-base hits in 43 plate appearances. His 20 strikeouts lead the club.
Background: The switch-hitting utility man enjoyed his best professional seasons as a member of the I-Cubs. In 2014-15, he notched back-to-back seasons of at least 10 home runs and 15 stolen bases. In 2016, he went a perfect 21-for-21 stealing bases for Iowa before being traded to Oakland on June 9 in exchange for OF Chris Coghlan. Alcantara most recently played in the Cincinnati Reds organization in 2017.
JAIRO ASENCIO, RHP (2012 with Iowa)
Stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 10G, 8SV, 9.0IP, 6H, 1R, 0ER, 10K
The right-hander is pitching in his eighth season in the Dominican Winter League, and his third straight for Licey. He's been excellent in 10 games, going a perfect eight-for-eight in save situations.
Background: Asencio pitched for Iowa in 2012, going 0-1 with five saves and a 1.35 ERA (2ER/13.1IP) in 13 relief appearances. He also appeared in 12 games for Chicago that season. He most recently pitched in the Mexican League during the 2017 season.
EMILIO BONIFACIO, UTIL (2015 with Iowa)
Stats: .500 (5-for-10), 3G, 4R, 1RBI, 2BB, 1K, 4/4 SB
The switch-hitting journeyman is in his eighth season with Licey, and has excelled in limited playing time this winter. Bonifacio has hit safely and stolen a base in all three games that he's played.
Background: Bonifacio appeared in 13 games for Iowa in 2015, batting .469 (23-for-49) with 12 runs scored. He made the Opening Day roster as Chicago's starting center fielder in 2014, starting the season on a torrid pace by going 11-for-16 (.688) in his first three contests.
JULIO BORBON, OF (2013 with Iowa)
Stats: .333 (19-for-57), 16G, 11R, 4 2B, 2 3B, 1HR, 7RBI, 12BB, 10K, 2/6 SB
Borbon plays in his fifth season in the Dominican League, and his first for Licey. He is currently tied for second on the team with 30 total bases, and went 3-for-3 with a triple, walk and two runs scored in his most recent game on November 14.
Background: The left-handed outfielder played 24 games for Iowa in 2013, appearing in all three outfield spots. He batted .260 (19-for-73) in his short stint with Iowa. He also appeared in 72 games for Chicago that season, batting .202 (21-for-104) after coming over in a trade from the Texas Rangers. Borbon most recently played in the Mexican League in 2017.