Winter Baseball Leagues

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

Via @josephzarr in the Minor League Transaction Thread:

"24 year-old LHP Luis Amaya was signed by the Brewers as a Minor League Free Agent. He has been assigned to Double-A Biloxi. He spent 2022 in the White Sox organization."

***

Amaya has made 14 relief appearances with Caribes in Venezuela (teammate of infielder Andruw Monasterio)., stats available at the Baseball Reference link above. It appears his most recent appearance was on December 8th, so while we will monitor things as we do daily, Amaya's winter season may be done.

[Jim Goulart]

Winter League Action from Saturday, December 17

• INF Owen Miller – Playing third base, 1-for-3, BB (.316 AVG, .699 OPS in 38 AB's) – in Ponce’s 3-1 loss
• Owen Miller's new teammate, Victor Caratini, 0-for-5 with two K's as the designated hitter in his winter debut (batted 3rd, Miller 5th)
• 2B Andruw Monasterio – 1-for-4, R (.323 AVG, .864 OPS) – in Caribes’ 4-1 loss 
• RHP Luis Contreras – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K in Lara's 5-4 loss; 19 K in 12 IP, but a 1.667 WHIP (6.75 ERA)
• DH Mario Feliciano – 0-for-4, 1 K (.194 AVG, .454 OPS in 98 AB's) – we'll continue to list Feliciano until his DFA limbo is resolved

[Ro Mueller]

Winter League Action from Sunday, December 18

27-year old RHP Matt Hardy continues to dominate winter ball in Puerto Rico, putting up two more innings of zeros on Sunday. Indefatigable 25-year old INF Andruw Monasterio (158 PAs in the offseason!) also homered in a close loss.

• PR/1B Jesus Chirinos – 0-for-1 (.301 AVG, .791 OPS) – in Aguilas del Zulia’s 15-8 loss to Cardenales
• PR/C Jose Sibrian – 0-for-1 (.308 AVG, .665 OPS in limited playing time) – in Cardenales’ win
• RHP Arnaldo Hernandez – 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks (3.12 ERA) – in Tiburones’ 8-5 loss to Tigres
• 2B Andruw Monasterio – 1-for-4, HR, walk, 2 RBIs (.321 AVG, .880 OPS) – in Caribes’ 8-7 defeat to Leones del Caracas
• C/DH Brian Navarreto – 0-for-4, 2 walks (.305 AVG, .935 OPS); also allowed 3 stolen bases and committed an error – in Carolina’s doubleheader split with RA12
• DH Mario Feliciano – 0-for-2 (.190 AVG, .445 OPS) – in Carolina’s 6-1 loss to RA in the first game of the doubleheader
• DH/1B – Victor Caratini – 1-for-5, 2 walks, RBI (.100 AVG, .350 OPS in limited playing time) – in Ponce’s doubleheader sweep of Mayaguez
• 2B Owen Miller – 0-for-2, SF, RBI (.300 AVG, .658 OPS) – in Ponce’s 2-1 opening game win over Mayaguez
• RHP Matt Hardy – 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks (0.84 ERA) – in Caguas’ 1-0 win in the second game of their doubleheader sweep of Santurce

[Ro Mueller]

Winter League Action from Monday, December 19

Workhorse INF Andruw Monasterio exited with arm injury, making for a worrisome Monday. Let’s hope that it’s nothing major. On the bright side, recently signed 23-year old RHP Christian Mejias pitched 5 shutout innings.

• 2B Andruw Monasterio – 0-for-2 (.317 AVG, .868 OPS); also committed an error; exited with injury in the 4th inning – in Caribes’ 11-3 loss to Tiburones
• RHP Christian Mejias (win) – 5 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks (5.12 ERA) – in Tiburones’ victory
• RHP JC Mejia – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K (2.41 ERA) – in Tigres del Licey’s 7-2 win over Estrellas

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Ro Mueller]

Winter League Action from Tuesday, December 20

Victor Caratini hit his first homer of the winter league season in helping lead his club to victory.

• C Jose Sibrian – 1-for-3 (.313 AVG, .666 OPS in limited playing time); allowed one stolen base – in Cardenales’ 5-3 victory over Tiburones
• 1B Jesus Chirinos – 1-for-1 (.311 AVG, .806 OPS) – entered in the 8th inning of Leones del Caracas’ 9-4 win over Aguilas del Zulia
• C Brian Navarreto – 0-for-3 (.296 AVG); allowed one stolen base and had a passed ball – in Carolina’s 9-3 loss to Ponce
• 1B Victor Caratini – 2-for-4, HR RBI (.214 AVG in limited playing time) – in Ponce’s win
• 2B Owen Miller – 0-for-4, RBI (.273 AVG) – in Ponce’s win

[Ro Mueller]

Winter League Action from Wednesday, December 21

Brian Navarreto and Jesus Chirinos were heroes of the day, with Navarreto smacking his 6th home run and Chirinos coming on as a super sub to produce four ribbies in a comeback win. Meanwhile, Arnaldo Hernandez was let down by two errors and charged with his team's loss.

• C Brian Navarreto – 2-for-4, HR, SF, 3 RBIs (.304 AVG); threw out the only attempted basestealer – in Carolina’s 7-3 win over Caguas
• DH Mario Feliciano (as we say goodbye to the man claimed by the Tigers) – 0-for-3 (.184 AVG) – in Carolina’s victory
• RHP Matt Hardy – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks (0.81 ERA) – in Caguas’ defeat
• RHP Arnaldo Hernandez (loss) – 1 1/3 IP, 3 R (0 ER), 1 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks (2.89 ERA) – in Tiburones’ 4-2 extra inning loss to Bravos
• PH/DH – Jesus Chirinos – 2-for-3, 4 RBIs (.325 AVG, .825 OPS) – in Aguilas del Zulia’s 8-7 comeback win over Leones del Caracas

[Robocaller]

Is Navaretto a potential backup C for the Brewers in 2024?

[Jim Goulart]

Translated: "Jesús Chirinos was the MVP of today's game against Leones | 3-2 | with 4 RBIs out of the 8 of @aguilasdelzulia ? that stopped the losing streak of 11 consecutive losses."

***

Jesús Chirinos was key with the wood in this valuable eaglet victory and for this he is the MVP of the match ?

 

[Ro Mueller]

1 hour ago, Robocaller said:

Is Navaretto a potential backup C for the Brewers in 2024?

If he can sustain this type of hitting, why not? But the odds seem quite long, given his career .590 OPS in the minors.

If we were high on Navarreto, I doubt we'd have had that unhealthy obsession with Pedro Severino, added Jakson Reetz to the 40-man roster when there was a bit of a depth concern or traded for 40-man Payton Henry (2.5 years younger than Navarreto). And we still have non-40 man Alex Jackson around as well, so Navarreto is likely our #3 catcher in Nashville at present.

Let's hope that he can keep it up, though. He clearly outplayed Mario Feliciano defensively last year while producing just-enough offense, earning a start in Nashville's playoff game.

[Ro Mueller]

Winter League Action from Thursday, December 22

Recent signing 24-year old LHP Luis Amaya had an impressive relief appearance, though his team blew the game by giving up a 3-run walk-off homer to old friend Renato Nunez.

• DH Brian Navarreto – 1-for-4 (.302 AVG) – in Carolina’s 5-4 win over Mayaguez
• C Victor Caratini – 0-for-4 (.167 AVG in limited playing time) – in Ponce’s 1-0 victory over Santurce; he also threw out the only attempted basestealer
• RHP Christian Mejias (save) – 3 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 1 K (5.24 ERA) – in Tigres’ 7-2 win over Tiburones
• 1B Jesus Chirinos – 0-for-3, walk (.313 AVG) – in Aguilas del Zulia’s 4-3 defeat to Bravos
• C Jose Sibrian – 0-for-1 (.294 AVG in limited playing time) – played 2 innings in Cardenales’ 6-3 loss to Leones del Caracas
• RHP Luis Contreras – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks (6.23 ERA) – in Cardenales’ loss
• LHP Luis Amaya – 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks (3.14 ERA) – in Caribes’ 9-8 loss to Navegantes
• RHP JC Mejia – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K (2.41 ERA) – in Leones del Licey’s 6-3 win over Aguilas Cibaenas

[Jim Goulart]

Winter League Action from Friday, December 23

The winter extra base hits still aren't coming for 1B Jesus Chirinos (one double, one HR), but the 21-year-old 2022 Carolina Mudcat is still cruising in Venezuela with a .325/.457/.374 line through 105 plate appearances.

• 1B Jesus Chirinos – 2-for-3, two BB, RBI – in Aguilas del Zulia’s 4-2 victory
• RHP Arnaldo Hernandez has had a solid Venezuelan winter, but Friday's outing hurt. The 7th inning for his club began tied 2-2. Hernandez inherited a bases-loaded, zero out situation. Not only did all three runners score, but Hernandez was charged with three runs of his own in the six-run frame. He would allow five hits and was able to net only two outs before being lifted himself, and one of those outs came on a caught stealing.
• C Jose Sibrian – While just having turned 24 in October, Sibrian is entering his 8th season in Brewers' system. His Venezuelan winter playing time has been limited, but despite his team's 16-7 loss, Sibrian took advantage of a rare start, going 3-for-4 and driving in three.

Sibrian is the 2nd batter in this video clip, some guy named Hernan Perez is the first:
 

• RHP Luis Contreras – Sibrian's teammate pitched on a consecutive day and fared well in the 7th, striking out all three men he faced - 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks (5.79 ERA).
• RHP Matt Hardy continues to earn his keep for his Puerto Rico team in Caguas – 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K (0.75 ERA) – though his team lost 5-1, Hardy recorded five outs while facing only four batters, as the runner he inherited was thrown out stealing upon Hardy's entrance.
• C Brian Navarreto – 0-for-4, one K (.290 AVG) – in Carolina’s 3-2 loss to Victor Caratini's Ponce team in Puerto Rico, Navarreto did throw out the sole attempting baserunner - did you know Navarreto is a .400 hitter in the big leagues? He was 2-for-5 while appearing in two games for the Marlins in 2020's fan-less stadium season.
• Victor Caratini – batting 3rd and playing 1B, 0-for-4, now 3-for-22, 2 BB, 4 K

 

[Jim Goulart]

The Athletic went around the world highlighting 2022's top efforts (subscription for full article):
 

Puerto Rico

C Brian Navarreto, Gigantes de Carolina, Puerto Rican Winter League

Navarreto started the winter with Toros in the Dominican, but moved to his native Puerto Rico with Gigantes, and everything fell into place. The 27-year-old Navarreto attended the same Florida high school as Javy Báez. Now a Brewers farmhand, he debuted with the Marlins in 2020. This winter, though, he’s keeping Gigantes together, helping guide a pitching staff that includes starters ranging in age from 19 to 40. With an OPS that ranks second in the league, Navarreto this month became the first player in LBPRC history to win a unanimous player of the week award.

 

[Jim Goulart]

Winter League Action from Monday, December 26

• RHP Arnaldo Hernandez - 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 K, charged with a blown save in the 8th inning of a game his team would go on to lose in 11 innings
• C Jose Sibrian – 0-for-1, K, but scored the winning run as the ghost runner in the 10th (scored via a bases-loaded HBP)
• C Brian Navarreto – 1-for-5, RBI, two K (.288 AVG) – in Carolina’s 10-4 win. Navarreto did throw out the sole attempting baserunner.
• Victor Caratini – batting 3rd and playing 1B, 2-for-4 (double), R, RBI; his club lost 10-6

[Ro Mueller]

Winter League Action from Tuesday, December 27

Matt Hardy continued his winter dominance, while Jose Sibrian smacked a homer for his club on Tuesday.

• RHP Matt Hardy – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K (0.72 ERA) – in Caguas’ 2-1 extra inning win over Carolina
• C Brian Navarreto – 0-for-2 (.283 AVG) – ejected in the 3rd inning of Carolina’s loss
• DH/C Victor Caratini – 2-for-4, 2 walks, SF, 3 RBIs (.233 AVG); had an error and allowed one stolen base – in Ponce’s doubleheader split with RA12
• RHP JC Mejia – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K (2.41 ERA) – in Leones del Licey’s 3-2 loss to Gigantes
• DH Jose Sibrian – 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs (.360 AVG, .865 OPS) – in Cardenales’ 5-2 win over Bravos
• RHP Christian Mejias (loss) – 2 2/3 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 1 K (5.40 ERA) – in Tiburones’ 5-2 loss to Navegantes

[Jim Goulart]

2 hours ago, damuelle said:

Jose Sibrian smacked a homer for his club on Tuesday.

 

[Ro Mueller]

Winter League Action from Wednesday, December 28

In a relatively quiet day, Victor Caratini’s club was a winner over Matt Hardy’s squad.

• DH Victor Caratini – 0-for-2, 2 walks (.219 AVG) – in Ponce’s 2-1 victory over Caguas
• RHP Matt Hardy – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K (0.69 ERA) – in Caguas’ defeat
• C Brian Navarreto – 1-for-4 (.282 AVG); gave up 3 stolen bases but caught one – in Carolina’s 5-3 loss to Mayaguez

[Ro Mueller]

Winter League Action from Thursday, December 29

• RHP JC Mejia – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks (1.99 ERA in 22 2/3 IP) – in Tigres del Licey’s 7-4 win over Estrellas
• 1B Victor Caratini – 0-for-3, walk (.200 AVG) – in Ponce’s 1-0 loss to Mayaguez

[Jim Goulart]

2 hours ago, damuelle said:

Winter League Action from Thursday, December 29

• RHP JC Mejia – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks (1.99 ERA in 22 2/3 IP) – in Tigres del Licey’s 7-4 win over Estrellas

Wild. Good find, Jack -

 

[Jim Goulart]

Back from December 16th in the Transaction Thread:

"The Brewers have signed one of the younger minor league free agents available, 23-year-old RHP Christian Mejias, who wrapped up a seven-year association with the Astros organization last fall.

Mejias, a native of Venezuela, topped out at High-A, as you can review on the linked Baseball Reference page above."

***

Mejias is getting starting opportunities in his native country in winter ball, and was featured in this article this week:

Some web translations here:

Christian Mejías, wild card of coastal pitching

If a balance is made of the good 2022-2023 season that Tiburones de La Guaira has had, after two turbulent years, there are several players with prominence, most of them on the offensive side of the ball. However, statistically it has been the pitchers who guided the team to a positive campaign and among these there are several names to highlight, one of them Christian Mejías.

The 23-year-old shotgunner was always considered one of those jewels of the team, which in previous years had not been able to demonstrate its potential, for various reasons; among them, the restrictions of his organization in the United States, that of the Houston Astros.

Before this season, his performance in Venezuela had been limited to only four innings of work in 2021-2022. In this fleeting internship, the youngster did not do well after allowing six scores, with up to five walks and only two strikeouts for 13.50 ERA and 2.00 WHIP.

Despite these numbers, aware that they were proportionally inverse to the talent of the streamer, general manager César Collins included him in his plans to reinvent the club and Mejías has paid him more than enough.

"The previous opportunities were very few because I had restrictions from the Astros, although now I belong to a new organization, and everything is different. I will keep working to continue showing what I have been doing every day on the mound. I've been making the adjustments, little by little, and things have gone well for me. That's been the key to success," said Mejias, who recently landed a minor league signing with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Mejías is the only pitcher on the roster with a game won as a starter and also with a save. Everything, after he became a kind of "wild card" for manager Henry Blanco, who has given him various roles and in all of them has generated good dividends.

"Honestly it has cost me a bit, because I have had a role as a starter, I have also helped the team as a reliever, in any situation that has needed me. Although that is what is sought, that the manager has enough confidence in you to use you like that and do the work of what he tells you" said Mejias who on December 19 was awarded his first win in the LVBP after throwing five blank episodes against the Caribes de Anzoátegui and three days later (December 22), he also got his first save on the circuit after throwing three innings of relief with two runs allowed, against Tigres de Aragua in Maracay.

There is still work to be done

In total, Mejias has acted in ten contests. His record is 1-1, with 15 earned runs allowed in 25 innings of work for a 5.40 ERA. Perhaps, his least outstanding figure is the number of men per hit or ticket he bases for each inning pitched (WHIP) which is 2.12, after having allowed 36 hits and gave away 17 bases per ball. Although he has also guillotined (K'd) 15 adversaries.

It has been this "weakness" in which he has emphasized improving during his current experience as a shark, with the help not only of the coaching staff, but also support of several of his teammates who have had a greater tour of the Creole fights.

"I lacked a good location. That's what I've been working on right now. Improve my focus, mechanics and execute my main pitches at the right time. The results have been seen," explained the right-hander before mentioning several of his tutors.

"I've had advice from (Gregory) Infante, Ramon (Garcia Jr.) and several other colleagues who see me there and tell me: 'look, try to do this, try to relax or a little more so that everything goes well.' That's what you learn every day from all of them, who always tell me to keep going, to keep that I have good potential pitching and that's what you want," said the shooter, who has started seven games – the third most in the team.

Mejias, with all his recent pact with the Brewers, does not yet have a definite date to stop his participation with Sharks and while that freedom is maintained, he aspires to continue playing with the club as far as they can survive.

"With God's favor, I'll be in the postseason. So far, I have not been given instructions of any kind. I will continue working with the team and I will wait to see what they can say later, but I will be here hoping to pitch for the championship", emphasized the native of the city of Valencia.

[Jim Goulart]

Winter League Action from Friday, December 30

In Puerto Rico, RHP Matt Hardy faced only one batter, striking out 35-year-old veteran of 228 big-league games Ivan De Jesus, Jr. with two runners aboard to end the 3rd inning. That was enough for the official scorer to award Hardy (now 4-1) the victory as his team rolled 8-2. Hardy has had an exemplary winter, 0.68 ERA in 24 appearances, WHIP 0.835, and a K-to-BB of 29-to-3.

For Ponce, the team Hardy defeated, Victor Caratini was 0-for-3 (BB, K) as the DH. He has a .650 OPS in 38 AB's.

Finally, also in Puerto Rico, C Brian Navarreto was 0-for-3 (BB, K), but guided his pitchers to a 1-0 win - they scattered six hits with no walks. Navarreto already has 188 plate appearances this winter between his initial stint in the Dominican and his current team. In his full 2022 season with AAA Nashville, Navarreto had only 142 plate appearances.

 

[Jim Goulart]

There will be no Winter League (or Australia) games to report on Saturday/Sunday for New Year's break in the schedule.

[Ro Mueller]

Winter League Action from Monday, January 2

Two Brewer catchers faced off, Matt Hardy continues to perform at an exceptional level and the playoffs have commenced in Venezuela.

• C Brian Navarreto – 1-for-4 (.275 AVG); had an error and allowed a stolen base – in Carolina’s 4-1 win over Ponce
• C Victor Caratini – 1-for-4, double (.190 AVG) – in Ponce’s loss
• RHP Matt Hardy – 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K (0.64 ERA) – in Caguas’ 7-2 victory over Santurce
• RHP Arnaldo Hernandez – 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K (4.43 ERA) – in Tiburones’ 6-5 loss to Leones del Caracas in the first round (Round Robin, which runs to January 21st) of the Venezuelan playoffs

[Jim Goulart]

2 hours ago, damuelle said:

Winter League Action from Monday, January 2

• RHP Matt Hardy – 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 0 K (0.64 ERA) – in Caguas’ 7-2 victory over Santurce

Hardy's teammate in Puerto Rico is starting RHP Bowden Francis (part of the Rowdy Tellez trade), who pitched four innings here - 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 1 HBP

Although he was outrighted off Toronto's 40-man roster in June, he remains a Blue Jay, and was just featured here for his lights-out work this winter (and actually ever since his outright):