Brewers Winter League Thread - 2024-2025

[BrewersRice]

Seeing the Venezuelan Winter League has started and Carlos Rodriguez is following up his past years performance with another hot start.

[BrewersRice]

.375/.429/.500 and his instagram shows highlights of a homerun.  I’m not sure what other brewers are in winter leagues. Does anyone have information or a Forum on this? Carlos seemed to end the year struggling a little bit in AAA after showing tiny hints of power in AA that he hadn’t previously showcased. He could surprisingly turn into the top AAA backup for the Brewers in the OF.next year if he remains with the Brewers. If not drafted as Rule 5 he is surely increasing his trade value.

[Jim Goulart]

5 hours ago, BrewersRice said:

.375/.429/.500 and his Instagram shows highlights of a homerun. Carlos seemed to end the year struggling a little bit in AAA after showing tiny hints of power in AA that he hadn’t previously showcased. He could surprisingly turn into the top AAA backup for the Brewers in the OF next year if he remains with the Brewers. If not drafted as Rule 5 he is surely increasing his trade value.

Unless Carlos D. Rodriguez signed a minor league deal with the Brewers to extend his relationship with the organization, he is set to become a minor league free agent, so the Rule 5 draft as it relates to Milwaukee would be a non-factor. 

If, as we learned Ernesto Martinez did, Rodriguez did sign for an additional year in the Crew's system, then yes, Rule 5 could come into play.

Given the state of the first base position across MLB these days and Martinez' dominant second half with Biloxi, it seems it'd be shortsighted of the Brewers to not place Ernesto on the 40-man and avoid a Rule 5 loss.

I wouldn't quite place Carlos D. in the 40-man conversation as of yet.

[Ro Mueller]

Winter Baseball (where the temperatures are in the 60s and above) comprises four main leagues that we can follow:

• Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional (LVBP – Venezuela) – a top league which commenced on October 11
• Liga de Beisbol Profesional de la Republica Dominicana (LIDOM – Dominican Republic) – another top league which started on October 16
• Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente (LIGAPR – Puerto Rico) – scheduled to begin on November 7
• Liga Arco Mexicana del Pacifico (LMP – Mexico) – commenced on October 11

For many years, the Brewers would have 10-15 participants in these leagues, which have a regular season, round robin phase for top teams, then knock-out rounds which typically run into early January.

INF Andruw Monasterio had a solid campaign two years ago, then OF Carlos D. Rodriguez last year, although very few Brewers participated last year.

There are also leagues in Nicaragua, Columbia and other locations, where box scores and statistics can be more difficult to find.

[Ro Mueller]

I've noted 6 Brewers who've played over the first 9 days in Venezuela:

• INF Andruw Monasterio - Caribes de Anzoategui - 1.290 OPS in 32 PAs
• OF Carlos D. Rodriguez - Navegantes del Magallanes - 1.048 OPS in 33 PAs
• INF Eduardo Garcia - Cardenales de Lara - .786 OPS in 7 PAs
• OF Hedbert Perez - Tiburones de la Guaira - .840 OPS in 13 PAs
• OF Yhoswar Garcia - Tiburones de la Guaira - .000 OPS in 1 PA
• RHP Dikember Sanchez - Tiburones de la Guaira - 1.1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K

1B Jesus Chirinos is also on the roster of Aguilas del Zulia.

[Ro Mueller]

Two other players in action this winter are:

• C Francisco Mejia - Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Republic - .829 OPS in 6 PAs
• LHP Jesus Broca - Algodoneros de Guasave in Mexico - 2.1 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 BB, 2 Ks

[Jim Goulart]

The 2024 Shuckers closer has plans -

 

[Jim Goulart]

“He will have to leave the team in the first few weeks of November to resume his preparation for a new year in the U.S.”

[wiguy94]

Just realized that Victor Estevez was either fired or not re-signed by Escogido. Albert Pujols is their manager this year.

[Joseph Zarr]

7 hours ago, wiguy94 said:

Just realized that Victor Estevez was either fired or not re-signed by Escogido. Albert Pujols is their manager this year.

I wouldn't read it either way you present. He was the position coach with the Escogido in 2021. In 2021-2022 he was the manager of the Colombian squad Vaqueros de Montería (Cowboys) . He was a Quality Control coach for Las Aguilas in 2022-2023. He managed Escogido last year. He mentioned on more than one occasions in interviews this past season he was completely undecided as to if he was going to return to Winter Ball down South this winter. It sounded to me like he was going to punt. And, here we are.

In other words, these Winter Leagues - especially for a manager moving with such success with an MLB club and establishing tenure - it's mostly up to the manager. I think it's clear he chose to focus stateside.  

[Ro Mueller]

Talisman OF Carlos D. Rodriguez - "el pelotero más importante del equipo" - returns to Navegantes after dealing with a visa issue. He last played on October 20th. Story (translated to English) here 

 

[Ro Mueller]

Here are updated Winter League stats. It's nice to see Eduardo Garcia and Hedbert Perez making the most of their opportunities:

Venezuelan League:

• INF Andruw Monasterio - Caribes de Anzoategui - 1.128 OPS in 55 PAs, 11 RBIs, 4 SBs
• OF Carlos D. Rodriguez - Navegantes del Magallanes - .952 OPS in 38 PAs, 4 RBIs
• INF Eduardo Garcia - Cardenales de Lara - .824 OPS in 14 PAs, 3 RBIs
• OF Hedbert Perez - Tiburones de la Guaira – 1.063 OPS in 18 PAs, 2 RBIs
• OF Yhoswar Garcia - Tiburones de la Guaira - .000 OPS in 2 PAs, 1 SB
• RHP Dikember Sanchez - Tiburones de la Guaira - 1.1 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 1 K
• 1B Jesus Chirinos is also on the roster of Aguilas del Zulia.

C Francisco Mejia - Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Republic - .543 OPS in 15 PAs, 1 RBI, 2 SBs

LHP Jesus Broca - Algodoneros de Guasave in Mexico – 5.0 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 3 H, 5 BB, 3 Ks

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Ro Mueller]

We’ve got your latest Winter League stats right here, including INF Oliver Dunn:

Venezuelan League:

• INF Andruw Monasterio - Caribes de Anzoategui - 1.014 OPS in 77 PAs, 11 RBIs, 4 SBs
• OF Carlos D. Rodriguez - Navegantes del Magallanes - .968 OPS in 68 PAs, 10 RBIs, 1 SB
• OF Hedbert Perez - Tiburones de la Guaira – .910 OPS in 33 PAs, 2 RBIs, 1 SB    
• INF Eduardo Garcia - Cardenales de Lara - .824 OPS in 14 PAs, 3 RBIs
• RHP Dikember Sanchez - Tiburones de la Guaira - 3.1 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks
• OF Yhoswar Garcia - Tiburones de la Guaira - .000 OPS in 4 PAs, 1 SB
• 1B Jesus Chirinos is also on the roster of Aguilas del Zulia.

Dominican League:

• C Francisco Mejia - Tigres del Licey - .596 OPS in 23 PAs, 2 RBIs, 2 SBs
• INF Oliver Dunn - Gigantes del Cibao - .452 OPS in 7 PAs, 1 RBI

Mexico:

• LHP Jesus Broca - Algodoneros de Guasave – 5.1 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 3 H, 5 BB, 4 Ks

[biedergb]

Did I miss it somewhere - is there a decision on Carlos D. Rodriguez?

He would be slated as a minor league FA now that the season is over, correct?

If so, did he re-up? Would he have to be 40-man designation?

[Ro Mueller]

20 minutes ago, biedergb said:

Did I miss it somewhere - is there a decision on Carlos D. Rodriguez?

He would be slated as a minor league FA now that the season is over, correct?

If so, did he re-up? Would he have to be 40-man designation?

We don’t have news yet. CD Rodriguez, Mejia and Chirinos can all elect free agency, but we’ll keep tracking them until we hear something definitive.

Maybe we’ll re-sign CD Rodriguez to a minor league contract, as we’ve apparently done with Ernesto Martinez. I don’t think anyone will offer CD Rodriguez a major league contract (40-man MLB roster spot).

[Ro Mueller]

RHP Justin Yeager joined Winter League Action over the last week, while we’ve removed three Brewers who elected free agency. Here are the latest season stats:

Venezuelan League:

• INF Andruw Monasterio - Caribes de Anzoategui - .938 OPS in 107 PAs, 12 RBIs, 5 SBs
• OF Hedbert Perez - Tiburones de la Guaira - .812 OPS in 46 PAs, 2 RBIs, 1 SB    
• INF Eduardo Garcia (last played Nov 3) - Cardenales de Lara - .824 OPS in 14 PAs, 3 RBIs
• RHP Dikember Sanchez (last played Oct 29) - Tiburones de la Guaira - 3.1 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks
• OF Yhoswar Garcia - Tiburones de la Guaira - .222 OPS in 9 PAs, 1 SB

Dominican League:

• INF Oliver Dunn - Gigantes del Cibao - .476 OPS in 18 PAs, 1 RBI

Puerto Rico:

• RHP Justin Yeager - Indios de Mayaguez - 1.0 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K

 Mexico:

• LHP Jesus Broca - Algodoneros de Guasave - 7.1 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 6 H, 5 BB, 6 Ks

[Ro Mueller]

Recently turned 21-year old INF Daniel Guilarte has joined Caribes de Anzoategui in the Venezuelan League. Andruw Monasterio and old friend Harold Chirino are teammates.

Here’s a translated article bearing the news. 

[Ro Mueller]

Here’s your weekly update on Winter League stats compiled to date.

Of note, Justin Yeager collected a save for 4-1 Indios de Mayaguez, Hedbert Perez continues to thrive in Venezuela and Ramon Rodriguez is playing in Puerto Rico after 4 games in the Arizona Fall League:

 Venezuelan League:

• INF Andruw Monasterio - Caribes de Anzoategui - .884 OPS in 133 PAs, 15 RBIs, 7 SBs
• OF Hedbert Perez - Tiburones de la Guaira - .817 OPS in 64 PAs, 5 RBIs, 1 SB    
• INF Eduardo Garcia (last played Nov 3) - Cardenales de Lara - .824 OPS in 14 PAs, 3 RBIs
• RHP Dikember Sanchez (last played Oct 29) - Tiburones de la Guaira - 3.1 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 2 Ks
• INF Daniel Guilarte - Caribes de Anzoategui - .642 OPS in 22 PAs
• OF Yhoswar Garcia (last played Nov 6) - Tiburones de la Guaira - .222 OPS in 9 PAs, 1 SB

 Dominican League:

• INF Oliver Dunn - Gigantes del Cibao - .366 OPS in 23 PAs, 1 RBI

 Puerto Rico:

• RHP Justin Yeager - Indios de Mayaguez - 4.0 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K
• C Ramon Rodriguez - Senadores de San Juan - 2.000 OPS in 3 PAs, 1 SB

 Mexico:

• LHP Jesus Broca - Algodoneros de Guasave - 8.1 IP, 6 R (4 ER), 8 H, 6 BB, 6 Ks

[Ro Mueller]

- Recently-signed OF Bladimir Restituyo is having fun playing Winter Ball in the Dominican Republic for Aguilas Cibaenas 

 

[Ro Mueller]

C Victor Torres has joined Senadores de San Juan in the Puerto Rican League, joining C Ramon Rodriguez.

[Ro Mueller]

Andruw Monasterio - outfielder?

“At the end of the Major League season, the Brewers recommended that I play winter ball in Venezuela. As homework, I have to work on my defense, my batting, and my running around the bases. In addition to that, they suggested that I move into the outfield. The more positions I can play reliably, the more important my presence will be in any club. Milwaukee wants me to be a good utility player, and playing in the outfield this season with Caribes gives me that opportunity,” said Monasterio, who has good reasons to play in Venezuela.

 

[Ro Mueller]

Monasterio is presently absent for a few games, processing his US visa.

 

[Ro Mueller]

- INF Eduardo Garcia was apparently injured, so has departed Cardenales de Lara. 

 

 

[Ro Mueller]

And RHP Dikember Sanchez has left Tiburones de La Guaira.