Brewers Winter League Thread - 2024-2025

[Ro Mueller]

OF Yhoswar Garcia has apparently exited Tibirones de La Guaira. I wonder if it’s he’ll hang around as a reserve. We’ll see. 

 

[Joseph Zarr]

Thanks for all the updates, Daniel. VERY very much appreciated. 

[Ro Mueller]

Here’s a stats compilation update of our nine (9) remaining active Winter League players:

Venezuelan League:

• INF Andruw Monasterio (idle while renewing US visa) - Caribes de Anzoategui - .884 OPS in 133 PAs, 15 RBIs, 7 SBs
• OF Hedbert Perez - Tiburones de la Guaira - .820 OPS in 68 PAs, 5 RBIs, 1 SB
• INF Daniel Guilarte - Caribes de Anzoategui - .675 OPS in 36 PAs, 2 RBIs

Dominican League:

• INF Oliver Dunn - Gigantes del Cibao - .322 OPS in 26 PAs, 1 RBI
• OF Bladimir Restituyo - Aguilas Cibaenas - .286 OPS in 15 PAs

Puerto Rico:

• RHP Justin Yeager - Indios de Mayaguez - 7.0 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 9 K, 3 Saves
• C Ramon Rodriguez - Senadores de San Juan - 1.367 OPS in 12 PAs, 1 RBI, 1 SB
• C Victor Torres - Senadores de San Juan - .000 OPS in 2 PAs

Mexico:

• LHP Jesus Broca - Algodoneros de Guasave - 10.1 IP, 6 R (4 ER), 9 H, 7 BB, 8 Ks

[Ro Mueller]

The various Winter Leagues keep rolling along, with Hedbert Perez still putting up solid numbers:

Venezuelan League:

• INF Andruw Monasterio (still idle while renewing US visa) - Caribes de Anzoategui - .884 OPS in 133 PAs, 15 RBIs, 7 SBs
• OF Hedbert Perez - Tiburones de la Guaira - .851 OPS in 82 PAs, 7 RBIs, 1 SB
• INF Daniel Guilarte - Caribes de Anzoategui - .584 OPS in 43 PAs, 2 RBIs

Dominican League:

• INF Oliver Dunn (didn’t play this week) - Gigantes del Cibao - .322 OPS in 26 PAs, 1 RBI
• OF Bladimir Restituyo - Aguilas Cibaenas - .267 OPS in 16 PAs

Puerto Rico:

• RHP Justin Yeager - Indios de Mayaguez - 9.0 IP, 4 R, 7 H, 6 BB, 12 K, 4 Saves
• C Ramon Rodriguez - Senadores de San Juan - 1.000 OPS in 22 PAs, 1 RBI, 1 SB
• C Victor Torres - Senadores de San Juan - .000 OPS in 3 PAs, 1 RBI

 Mexico:

• LHP Jesus Broca - Algodoneros de Guasave – 12.2 IP, 6 R (4 ER), 10 H, 10 BB, 10 Ks

[Ro Mueller]

 

[biedergb]

24 minutes ago, Ro Mueller said:

OF Hedbert Perez - Tiburones de la Guaira - .851 OPS in 82 PAs, 7 RBIs, 1 SB

I know it is a small sample size and the level of competition is variable, but seeing Hedbert have an OPS that is the same as a current MLB utility player (Monasterio) is encouraging to see if his prospect profile can have some comeback. If he can hit in A ball and move up to AA he can be in the mix as a future OF prospect that could profile as a 4th OF. Again a lot of ifs. 

[Ro Mueller]

Jackson Chourio hit 12 homers in the derby semifinal, but only managed 6 in dropping the finale to Eugenio Suarez. 

 

[Joseph Zarr]

On 12/2/2024 at 2:45 PM, biedergb said:

I know it is a small sample size and the level of competition is variable, but seeing Hedbert have an OPS that is the same as a current MLB utility player (Monasterio) is encouraging to see if his prospect profile can have some comeback. If he can hit in A ball and move up to AA he can be in the mix as a future OF prospect that could profile as a 4th OF. Again a lot of ifs. 

Indeed. 

Let me just say: He absolutely can not play the type of defense we saw late in the season at Wisconsin. It was really bad. The bat is a real thing. The arm is a real thing. Has to improve the focus, effort and urgency on the outfield grass. There were some truly ugly moments to end his season.  

[Jim Goulart]

6 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Has to improve the focus, effort and urgency on the outfield grass.

You mean like this?

 

[Playing Catch]

4 hours ago, Jim Goulart said:

You mean like this?

 

Hehehe, perfect timing.

[Joseph Zarr]

6 hours ago, Jim Goulart said:

You mean like this?

 

Yes. Like that. You love to see it. Let's hope we continue seeing plays like that to start next season at Wisconsin.

And, I think it's very fair to say those are plays he needs to make (while staying healthy) semi-regularly to get back into the serious prospect conversation, imho. Obviously, a player isn't going to track down every gapper. But, he has to track down some. When you are working with a smaller stature, like Perez is, you have to maximize your range and make those plays in the gap and make the routine plays routinely. We saw numerous mental lapses bobbling and dropping routine balls that led to several runs during the playoff push - plays where a basic gather and toss to the relay kept a runner at 2nd or 3rd instead of advancing and scoring. And, we saw some truly poor angles and effort on more than one occasion. It was baffling. Now, he was coming back from injury, as we all know, so that plays a part and we should keep that at the forefront. There is rust there. But the lapses were just very very head scratching. AND, I should add I have been one of the bigger proponents of resurfacing his name as someone to not forget about simply due to our collective prospect fatigue or the fact he missed significant time due to injury.

His lefty bat is a really intriguing offering - some power and line drive pop in there and a really smooth and fluid swing path overall. He was making really good swing choices early in his brief return - another plus given his historical penchant for the swing and miss which is something he'll need to address as he continues to mature. As mentioned above, the arm is more than solid too. At this stage, we know he isn't going to be a Luis Lara/Yophery Rodriguez/Jackson Chourio level defensive outfielder. Not many are. But, imho, he has to make the plays he can make and he has to make them consistently. To that end, he could look more toward the consistency we saw from Carlos D. Rodriguez. Perez has a better arm by a good margin there, but Rodriguez was and is currently the more consistent defender in this regard: making the plays he should make. And, obviously, it goes without saying Rodriguez certainly had a better penchant for consistent contact.

This upcoming season is a massive season for Perez. He'll be turning 22 years old at the start. He'll be in High-A. He's coming off an injury-mired 1 1/2 seasons. I really really hope he can stay healthy and start working on his game. As Spencer and I discussed in our first podcast: there is ample opportunity in the outfield within the greater Minor League depth chart. It's open season to stake a claim.

[Ro Mueller]

INF Andruw Monasterio was finally back in action for Caribes after sorting out a visa issue: 

 

[Jim Goulart]

Just throwing out this rumor for fun -- first the background

LHP Jefry Yan Wikipedia Page

Baseball Reference Page (yet to make MLB Debut)

He's pitching well in the Dominican Winter League as the B-Ref page indicated.

However, it seems the Brewers are in the picture as well.

 

[Ro Mueller]

INF Eduardo Garcia started at shortstop in both ends of a doubleheader for Cardenales on Thursday, going 3-for-5 with a homer and two doubles before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the second game: 

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Joseph Zarr]

On 12/7/2024 at 5:23 AM, Jim Goulart said:

Just throwing out this rumor for fun -- first the background

LHP Jefry Yan Wikipedia Page

Baseball Reference Page (yet to make MLB Debut)

He's pitching well in the Dominican Winter League as the B-Ref page indicated.

However, it seems the Brewers are in the picture as well.

 

Interesting. I didn't really track him after he went to the NPB last season. He's a guy who has had absolutely electric stretches in Double-A with Pensacola. He has consistently had issues putting men on base via free passes, however. If the Brewers could help him dial that in he could be a very interesting wild card lefty. Had one cup of coffee in Triple-A in the middle of his 2023 season with Jacksonville and got absolutely shellacked. Extremely small sample. I only remember this because his last Triple-A outing was vs the Sounds and Devanney ripped an RBI double to take the lead. That was his last dance in the International League. Really cool to see he's coming back to affiliated ball tho!  

[Ro Mueller]

While we await Jackson Chourio’s stint with Aguilas del Zulia (Venezuela), here are the Winter League stats-to-date of active Brewers:

• INF Andruw Monasterio - Caribes de Anzoategui - .825 OPS in 157 PAs, 18 RBIs, 7 SBs
• OF Hedbert Perez - Tiburones de la Guaira - .858 OPS in 88 PAs, 10 RBIs, 2 SBs
• INF Eduardo Garcia - Cardenales de Lara – 1.201 OPS in 19 PAs, 5 RBIs
• INF Daniel Guilarte - Caribes de Anzoategui - .584 OPS in 43 PAs, 2 RBIs

Dominican League:

• INF Oliver Dunn (didn’t play this week) - Gigantes del Cibao - .322 OPS in 26 PAs, 1 RBI
• OF Bladimir Restituyo (his team has apparently been playing in the Titans of the Caribbean Series in Puerto Rico this week, so his league stats haven’t changed) - Aguilas Cibaenas - .267 OPS in 16 PAs

Puerto Rico:

• RHP Justin Yeager - Indios de Mayaguez - 11.2 IP, 4 R, 9 H, 7 BB, 14 K, 5 Saves
• C Ramon Rodriguez - Senadores de San Juan - .795 OPS in 33 PAs, 1 RBI, 1 SB
• C Victor Torres - Senadores de San Juan - .000 OPS in 3 PAs, 1 RBI

Mexico:

• LHP Jesus Broca - Algodoneros de Guasave – 12.2 IP, 6 R (4 ER), 10 H, 10 BB, 10 Ks

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Ro Mueller]

Jackson Chourio 3-for-4 with a double, walk and an RBI in his first Winter League start, as Aguilas won 8-5. 

 

[Jim Goulart]

Actually, it is likely to technically be a seven-game situation as Chourio’s actual debut was Wednesday, scoring a run as a pinch-runner.

[Ro Mueller]

Jackson Chourio Feels At Home in Zulia’s Nest 

 

[Jim Goulart]

Jackson Chourio enjoys the moment in uniform with Zulia

Caracas- The presence of Jackson Chourio in Maracaibo to suit up and play with Águilas del Zulia, after a spectacular campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers, in which he compiled 20 home runs and at least 20 stolen bases. This was the first step to begin honoring his historic eight-year, $82 million contract, signed in December 2023, when he had not even set foot on a major league field.

But the reality is that Jackson Chourio is in Maracaibo and with his habit intact of giving timely hits, as Navegantes del Magallanes was able to witness on Thursday night, at the Luis El Grande Stadium in the capital of Zulia

La Nave was shaken by three lashes from the bat of the young star, who, at just 20 years of age, finished third in the voting for the Rookie of the Year award in the National League. And one of those three hits was a three-run double, which sealed a two-game sweep for the Eagles.

"It has been a very special moment for me personally, my family and the fans of Maracucha," he managed to say before the microphones and cameras of ByM Sport, as soon as the raptors added another award to their column of victories.

For Jackson, breathing the atmosphere of the Luis El Grande Stadium is a great experience.

"Being in the nest of the Eagles, it's like being in my own home. Since I was a child, I visited him to see the team play. Playing on their home turf is a dream come true," he said. "I notice that this season, the clubhouse is full of good vibes. The boys are very optimistic. I have joined the group to contribute and help achieve victories," he added to the swirl of journalists, who followed his statements very attentively.

Of course, the obligatory question refers to the scope of the permit issued by the Milwaukee Brewers for their star.

"In truth, I have no idea how long I will be able to play with Águilas. I don't think it's for a long period. The Brewers want me to have fun and play primarily as a designated hitter. Other than that, I don't have much information on how many games I'll be in action. Let time decide," he said without fully satisfying the battery of questions on the subject.

Although, according to journalist Gabo Chávez, of ByM Sport, Chourio will only be available for six games. A species that has not been made official by the rapacious club.

Chourio ended his words with a flower for the capital of Zulia.

"It's an honor to be here again and play with Águilas. It is an honor to be in Maracaibo."

They say that the good son always comes home.

[Ro Mueller]

Tiburones de La Guaira (Venezuela) has dropped 4 games in a row and may now miss the playoffs. They miss Hedbert Perez (last played December 6) as he tries to renew his US work visa. 

 

[Jim Goulart]

It'll go down as an RBI single, but this Jackson Chourio knock was set to be a 6-4-3 GIDP before a very beneficial bounce off the lip of the grass (video on the right):

 

[Joseph Zarr]

On 7/12/2024 at 5:23 AM, Jim Goulart said:

Just throwing out this rumor for fun -- first the background

LHP Jefry Yan Wikipedia Page

Baseball Reference Page  (yet to make MLB Debut)

He's pitching well in the Dominican Winter League as the B-Ref page indicated.

However, it seems the Brewers are in the picture as well .

 

Closing this loop for now in the 'High' Mountain air:

Best of luck to Mr. Yan as he seeks to work his way back into a possible MLB discussion.