Winter Baseball Leagues

[Jim Goulart]

3 hours ago, damuelle said:

Thus concludes this particular Winter League Ball 2022-2023 thread.

Actually, we'll need to see if RH reliever JC Mejia joins his Licey club in the eight-team Caribbean Series (February 2nd - February 10th) pitting league champions from across Latin America (list of participating teams here).

By the way, this is how you walk off a league championship win:

 

[Ro Mueller]

Although RHP JC Mejia's name has not been included in various tweets about Dominican Republic champ Tigres del Licey's roster for the 2023 Caribbean Series, C Brian Navarreto is listed on Indios de Mayaguez's roster. Navarreto had actually played for the Puerto Rican runner-up, Gigantes de Carolina. So it appears that squads were allowed to poach a few players from others teams!

I believe Navarreto is the only current Brewer playing in the competition, although there are a number of old friends: Orlando Arcia, Hernan Perez, Jhoulys Chacin, Jonathan Schoop, Braden Webb, Gabriel Noriega, Bryan Torres, Darren Seferina, Emilio Bonifacio. Also participating is Jose Espada, who played for the independent league's Milwaukee Milkmen in 2022.

The competition commences today, with eight league champions from eight countries playing every day in a 7-day round robin ending on Wednesday, February 8th. From there, the top 4 teams will square off in a single elimination playoff (1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3 on February 9th; championship and 3rd place game on February 10th).

[Ro Mueller]

RHP Arnaldo Hernandez is also participating, playing for Venezuelan champ Leones del Caracas. Similar to Navaretto, Hernandez had actually played for the league runner-up, Tiburones de La Guaira.

[Ro Mueller]

2023 Caribbean Series Action from Thursday, February 2

The Opening Day of the 8-team Caribbean Series saw both participating Brewers on the field. Of note, Arnaldo Hernandez entered a 3-2 game for Venezuela in the 7th inning, working around a leadoff error by old friend Orlando Arcia before dispatching the subsequent three hitters:

• RHP Arnaldo Hernandez – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks – in Venezuela’s 5-2 victory over Panama
• C Brian Navaretto – 1-for-3, double, HBP; gave up one stolen base, while the same thief was caught stealing home – in Puerto Rico’s 7-1 defeat to Columbia

Scores on Day One

• Venezuela 5, Panama 2
• Mexico 5, Dominican Republic 4
• Columbia 7, Puerto Rico 1
• Cuba 3, Curacao 1

[Ro Mueller]

Day 2 of the 2023 Caribbean Series

Every team which lost on Day 1 was victorious on Day 2, resulting in 8 squads with identical 1-1 records. The most exciting game was Panama’s 6-5 win over Columbia, in which Columbia ended the game with a failed sacrifice bunt (catcher-to-2nd) and a ground ball double play.

The Brewers’ Brian Navarreto batted 6th and caught his second straight game for Puerto Rico, which defeated Venezuela 6-1. Old friends Braden Webb (Puerto Rico) and Jhoulys Chacin (Venezuela) were the starting pitchers.

• C Brian Navarreto – 1-for-5; threw out the only attempted basestealer

 Scores from Day Two

• Puerto Rico 6, Venezuela 1
• Panama 6, Columbia 5
• Curacao 2, Mexico 1
• Dominican Republic 3, Cuba 1

[Ro Mueller]

Day 3 (Saturday) of the 2023 Caribbean Series

No Brewers played on the third day of the competition, as Brian Navarreto’s Puerto Rico squad lost to the Dominican Republic and Arnaldo Hernandez’s Venezuelan teammates pummeled Cuba.

Mexico and Curacao each grabbed their second 1-run victory, while Columbia lost its second 1-run game.

Scores from Day Three

• Venezuela 20, Cuba 3
• Dominican Republic 6, Puerto Rico 4
• Curacao 1, Panama 0
• Mexico 7, Columbia 6

[Ro Mueller]

Day 4 (Sunday) of the 2023 Caribbean Series

Sunday saw four thrilling one-run games, with Venezuela and Mexico moving their records to 3-1, four teams settling at 2-2 and Puerto Rico and Cuba falling to 1-3.

Brian Navarreto’s Puerto Rican team gave up an early 2-0 lead in ultimately losing to Panama 3-2, while Arnaldo Hernandez pitched the 7th inning of Venezuela’s 3-2 extra inning victory over the Dominican Republic.

• C Brian Navaretto – 0-for-4; also gave up 1 stolen base – in Puerto Rico’s loss to Panama
• RHP Arnaldo Hernandez – 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks – in Venezuela’s 12-inning victory over the Dominican Republic

Scores from Day Four:

• Venezuela 3, Dominican Republic 2
• Mexico 6, Cuba 5
• Panama 3, Puerto Rico 2
• Columbia 6, Curacao 5

[Ro Mueller]

Day 5 (Monday) of the 2023 Caribbean Series

No Brewers saw action on Monday, though Brian Navarreto’s Puerto Rican teammates were winners to claw back to a 2-3 record and Arnaldo Hernandez’s Venezuelan squad were routed by Mexico to fall to 3-2.

Here’s the table summary with two days of group games remaining. The top 4 teams will make the semi-finals:

• Mexico – 4-1
• Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Columbia – 3-2
• Puerto Rico, Curacao, Panama – 2-3
• Cuba – 1-4

Scores from Day Five:

• Mexico 7, Venezuela 0
• Dominican Republic 10, Panama 1
• Columbia 5, Cuba 4
• Puerto Rico 3, Curacao 1

[Ro Mueller]

Day 6 (Tuesday) of the 2023 Caribbean Series

Puerto Rico and Venezuela each had stirring comebacks, with Puerto Rico down to their final out against lowly Cuba and essentially on the brink of elimination. An infield error allowed them to score the tying run before a walk-off single gave them a 4-3 victory and evened their tournament record at 3-3. Brian Navarreto had a key walk in Puerto Rico’s 9th inning comeback. Old friend Braden Webb was credited with the victory for throwing three shutout innings, which included another old friend (Bryan Torres) throwing out a runner at home to end the top of the 9th inning.

In Venezuela’s case, they stormed back from a 6-2 deficit against Curacao, scoring three runs in the 7th inning and another three runs in the 8th inning to ultimately win 8-6. Turning the tables put Venezuela in a more comfortable position at a tournament record of 4-2, while the loss was devastating to Curacao who fell to 2-4. Arnaldo Hernandez struck out the side in the 7th inning for Venezuela and was credited with the victory.

• C Brian Navaretto – 1-for-2, walk, HBP; also threw out 1 of 2 basestealers – in Puerto Rico’s 4-3 win over Cuba
• RHP Arnaldo Hernandez (win) – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks – in Venezuela’s 8-6 victory over Curacao

Scores from Day Six:

• Mexico 2, Panama 1
• Venezuela 8, Curacao 6
• Columbia 10, Dominican Republic 1
• Puerto Rico 4, Cuba 3

The final group games will be played on Wednesday, with the top four teams going to the semi-finals. Key games to watch include Dominican Republic (3-3) vs. Curacao (2-4) and Mexico (5-1 – will they rest key players?) vs. Puerto Rico (3-3). Also, Venezuela (4-2) vs. Columbia (4-2) is scheduled as the final game of the group stage, which may mean the world or be rather meaningless, depending on what happens in the earlier games and how tiebreak scenarios play out.

[Ro Mueller]

Day 7 (Wednesday) of the 2023 Caribbean Series – Finale of Group Stage

The Dominican Republic took care of Curacao 6-2 to clinch the 3rd semi-final slot, then Brian Navaretto’s Puerto Rico squad defeated first place Mexico 9-3 to keep its hopes alive, forcing Venezuela into a must-win night-cap. Navaretto caught and batted 7th as Puerto Rico won its third straight “survival” game.

In the group finale, Arnaldo Hernandez and his Venezuelan teammates grabbed an early lead and held on to defeat Columbia 7-4, thus grabbing the final semi-final slot and eliminating valiant Puerto Rico. Hernandez struck out the side in the 7th inning for the second straight night.

• C Brian Navaretto – 3-for-4, walk; also conceded one stolen base – in Puerto Rico’s 9-3 win over Mexico
• RHP Arnaldo Hernandez – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks – in Venezuela’s 7-4 victory over Columbia

Scores from Day Seven:

• Venezuela 7, Columbia 4
• Dominican Republic 6, Curacao 2
• Puerto Rico 9, Mexico 3
• Panama 10, Cuba 4

The single-elimination semi-finals start Thursday, with Mexico playing the Dominican Republic in the first game of the day, while Venezuela and Columbia will once again square off in the night cap.

[Jim Goulart]

2 hours ago, damuelle said:

Day 7 (Wednesday) of the 2023 Caribbean Series – Finale of Group Stage

In the group finale, Arnaldo Hernandez and his Venezuelan teammates grabbed an early lead and held on to defeat Columbia 7-4, thus grabbing the final semi-final slot and eliminating valiant Puerto Rico. Hernandez struck out the side in the 7th inning for the second straight night.

• RHP Arnaldo Hernandez – 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 Ks – in Venezuela’s 7-4 victory over Columbia

The single-elimination semi-finals start Thursday, with Mexico playing the Dominican Republic in the first game of the day, while Venezuela and Columbia will once again square off in the night cap.

More reason for Hernandez to celebrate, he turns 27 years old Thursday.

[Ro Mueller]

Day 8 (Thursday) of the 2023 Caribbean Series – Semi-Finals

Powerhouses Venezuela and the Dominican Republic maintained their momentum, qualifying for the semi-finals with Wednesday victories, then defeating Columbia and Mexico, respectively, in the single-elimination semifinals on Thursday.

No Brewers played in the semi-finals, but RHP Arnaldo Hernandez may play for Venezuela in the Championship Game against the Dominican Republic scheduled for Friday, along with old friends Orlando Arcia and Hernan Perez

Scores from Day Eight:

• Venezuela 7, Columbia 5
• Dominican Republic 8, Mexico 3

[Jim Goulart]

Licey claims Caribbean Series title for Dominican Republic

RH reliever Arnaldo Hernandez (39 games with Biloxi in '22) acquitted himself well in the final game despite Venezuela's loss. Hernandez picked off an inherited runner to end the 7th upon entering and then pitched a full scoreless inning of his own.

And with that, we truly have reached the end of the BrewerFanatic Winter League update thread. Thank you, @damuelle, I'm not sure you knew what you were getting into when you joined me on this literally daily journey!

[Joseph Zarr]

@Mass Haasand @damuelle, you are the real Minor League off-season heroes. I never knew I would have been spending evenings curious to see what Arnaldo Hernandez was up to! It's somewhat funny in that he definitely showed some 'stuff' in Biloxi in 2022 despite his unsightly stat line overall - his numbers just really blow up because when he got hit he was prone to really rough innings. New seasons make for new stories and what Hernandez (and C Alex Hall) were up to this winter filled me up with an unexpected Minor League super fix. Thank you both for covering so adroitly and consistently.