2023 - 2024 Winter League Thread

[Ro Mueller]

Summary of Sunday Action:

• RHP Christian Mejias - 2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 0 Ks - in Aragua's 3-2 loss to Margarita, which dropped Aragua to a 3-8 record in Round Robin play with 5 games remaining in Venezuela
• C Brian Navarrato was absent again, as Carolina fell 4-2 to Caguas. They now trail the best-of-9 championship series 2 games to 1 in Puerto Rico
• Manager Victor Estevez's Escogido Lions got a key win, 8-5 over the Licey Tigers. They now trail Licey by 1 game for second place (and a berth in the championship series), with 3 games remaining in the Dominican Republic

[Ro Mueller]

Here's an article on catcher Brian Navarreto being absent on the field (due to a hand injury), but still making his presence felt from the dugout for Carolina in the Puerto Rico Championship Series. (English version using Google Translate)

It mentions that Navarreto played with the injury for about 10 days before stopping and that the Brewers are recalling him today. As to game action, his Carolina teammates defeated Caguas 10-4 on Tuesday to even the best-of-9 series at 2 games apiece.

Elsewhere, Manager Victor Estevez's Escogido Lions got a big 8-1 win over the Licey Tigers in the Dominican Republic. The two teams are now tied for second place with just 2 games remaining. I'm assuming that Escogido holds the tiebreaker (4-2 record vs. Licey in this Round Robin phase) so can clinch a berth in the championship series by winning out.

[Ro Mueller]

Rough Wednesday results:

- RHP Christian Mejias - 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 Ks - in Aragua’s 4-2 loss to Caracas
- Manager Victor Estevez’s Escogido team lost 4-3 to Cibao
- C Brian Navarreto’s Carolina club lost Game 5 of their series 3-2 to Caguas

[Ro Mueller]

From Thursday:

• Manager Victor Estevez's Escogido squad mustered only 4 singles and 1 walk in their 4-0 loss to Estrellas Orientales, falling short of their quest to reach the Dominican Championship Series. Better luck next winter
• RHP Christian Mejias' Aragua team defeated La Guaira 3-0, but were mathematically eliminated from reaching the Venezuelan Champion Series due to Lara's win elsewhere

[Joseph Zarr]

9 hours ago, damuelle said:

From Thursday:

• Manager Victor Estevez's Escogido squad mustered only 4 singles and 1 walk in their 4-0 loss to Estrellas Orientales, falling short of their quest to reach the Dominican Championship Series. Better luck next winter
• RHP Christian Mejias' Aragua team defeated La Guaira 3-0, but were mathematically eliminated from reaching the Venezuelan Champion Series due to Lara's win elsewhere

No shame in losing to a stacked Estrellas squad. Another great managing effort from Estevez. Here's hoping for a fantastic Low-A season with Carolina!

[Jim Goulart]

2 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

No shame in losing to a stacked Estrellas squad. Another great managing effort from Estevez. Here's hoping for a fantastic Low-A season with Carolina!

Now, now, we await the full coaching roster across the system within a few weeks if not sooner, landing spots yet to be confirmed...👀

[Joseph Zarr]

1 minute ago, Mass Haas said:

Now, now, we await the full coaching roster across the system within a few weeks if not sooner, landing spots yet to be confirmed...👀

I can't disagree. Wherever Estevez lands, I will be rooting. I've said it on numerous occasions and I'll say it again: he's a rising STAR. I firmly believe this. 💫

[Ro Mueller]

On Friday, RHP Christian Mejias got in a little work: 1.2 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 1 K - in Aragua’s 8-4 loss to Caracas.

C Brian Navarreto is presumably state-side now to attend to his hand injury. Back in Puerto Rico, his Carolina team lost 4-1 to Caguas, so now trail the best-of-9 series 4 games to 2.

Manager Victor Estevez thanked Escogido club for the opportunity to manage the team which has existed since 1921: