Misc. Offseason Updates - AFL, Winter Leagues

[Ro Mueller]

2B Andruw Monasterio’s 2-4 effort (double, walk, RBI) wasn’t enough as Caribes de Anzoategui lost 8-3 in Venezuela.

On the flip side, DH Jeferson Quero and SS Eduardo Garcia combined on an 0-for-7 evening (with a walk for Garcia), but their teammates picked them up in a 10-0 victory for Lara.

[Jim Goulart]

6 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

2B Andruw Monasterio’s 2-4 effort (double, walk, RBI) wasn’t enough as Caribes de Anzoategui lost 8-3 in Venezuela.

 

[Jim Goulart]

This double the highlight of a 1-for-4, two K night as his team fell 10-3, OPS still .990 OPS

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

 

[Jim Goulart]

Home Run #5 for big-league camp invite Eduardo Garcia, you'll see the numbers behind his .931 OPS in Venezuela here.

And even more impressively, with the glove -

***

Looks like knee inflammation ended Anthony Seigler's Dominican season early -

***

Andruw Monasterio, playing SS, had a nice night in Venezuela (box) two singles, BB, SF, SB. It's been a strong 11 games thus far, .990 OPS as you'll see at B-Ref here.

***

Regarding Jeferson Quero - stat line through 29 games, the latest news out of Venezuela:

Temporary Absence: Jeferson Quero due to visa procedures, and his return will be in doubt until the visa issue is resolved. The prospect will travel to process his visa and "his re-entry will depend on his immigration situation being resolved," the team's press department reported, via bulletin.

***

A rare quiet night for OF Steward Berroa in the D.R. - 0-for-4.

***

Brewers who haven't seen action in quite some time and are very likely done for the winter, stats at links:

LHP Sammy Peralta - six games in the Dominican League

OF Eddys Leonard - three games in the Dominican League

Weeks ago, we knew that seasons wrapped up for RHP's Carlos Rodriguez and Yerlin Rodriguez 

[Jim Goulart]

Jackson Chourio reflects on his 2025 harvest at the Brewers: "We are a united team"
The Milwaukee Brewers slugger returned to Venezuela to unleash a gale of home runs
By Luis Alvarado De Sousa, Meridiano.net

Translated article --

The Milwaukee Brewers had a very positive season in 2025, one of the architects of this success of the hops is the Zulian Jackson Chourio. At just 21 years of age, he became the offensive spark plug of the northern team, although his season was not without some setbacks.

As part of the Pepsi Home Run Festival 2025 in which he hit 12 home runs, Chourio spoke exclusively with Meridiano about the key of the Brewers team in the season that just ended, in which they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. However, the young Maracucho assures that it was the union of Milwaukee's ninth, which allowed the team to have one of the best records in the old circuit and also allowed them to transcend in the postseason. "We are a united team, which knows how to do the little things. We know that we are going to return in the best way," said the patrolman.

This union and the team's accompaniment also allowed him to go through a tough time in the middle of the 2025 season. Something that Chourio himself confesses, had never happened to him before. In August of this year, he had to stop his participation with the hops to treat a hamstring problem, a delicate area for any player who is at the highest level of the Major Leagues. Although he missed a few weeks, this did not prevent him from achieving the mark of 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the season that has already concluded.

Although he managed to overcome his ailing health problem in the best way towards the end of the season, he stalked him again in the playoffs. However, Chourio shows his joy at being able to contribute to the team in October. "Nothing like this had ever happened to me, but I stayed focused on coming back to help my team in the moment I needed it," Chourio explained to Meridiano. And his contribution is not for less, as he hit two home runs and drove in eight runs in October for the Brewers. Without a doubt, one of the most dangerous bats on the team in these instances.

And it seems that every time he comes to Venezuela, his own performance in the Major Leagues is enhanced by the work he does with the Zulia Eagles. The same Zulian assured that his time in the LVBP is key in his career in baseball. Although this year, he does not have a debut date with the raptors, he stressed that his work in the country helped him deal with scenarios he faces in Milwaukee. "It is very important to come and play here (in the LVBP), this was my first experience as a professional. Here you learn how to play and how to deal with many game situations," he said.

[Jim Goulart]

Overlooking his 7th error in 30 games across the infield this winter, the latest news on Eduardo Garcia is more troubling. First thing you notice in this box score beyond his single in two at-bats is the early exit.

The follow-up translation:

Eduardo García has been playing for days with an injury in one of his legs.

Today he goes out due to injury, hopefully it's not for long.

***

Box: RF Steward Berroa walked three times in his Dominican League game. His OBP was already .418 entering the contest. Berroa indicated that he will keep playing as long as the Brewers allow him to.

***

Box: SS Andruw Monasterio doubled and was HBP in an 8-7 10-inning loss in Venezuela. Error #3 in 13 games this winter (one of those was at third base).

[Jim Goulart]

Thursday 12/4:

Box: Double and single for Andruw Monasterio (.968 OPS, 65 PA's)

Box: 0-for-4, RBI on a disputed HBP for Steward Berroa (.887 OPS, 90 PA's) 

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

Things are slowing down re: Brewers in winter ball.

Box: 1-for-4, 3 K's Steward Berroa (.868 OPS, 94 PA's) - did play all three OF positions

"Big leaguer Andruw Monasterio will have to miss some #LVBP games starting this weekend. Monasterio will attend consular commitments."

Likely visa-related?

 

[Ro Mueller]

Three scoreless innings of relief for RHP Stiven Cruz in Venezuela on Saturday (1 single, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 2 Ks), though Tiburones fell 5-2.

That gives him a 2.70 ERA in 7 games (10 IP), but drops Tiburones to 7th in the closely-packed league standings (just out of playoff position) with about 13 regular season games left to play.

[Jim Goulart]

4 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

Three scoreless innings of relief for RHP Stiven Cruz in Venezuela on Saturday (1 single, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 2 Ks), though Tiburones fell 5-2.

That gives him a 2.70 ERA in 7 games (10 IP) but drops Tiburones to 7th in the closely packed league standings (just out of playoff position) with about 13 regular season games left to play.

Great catch, Ro. Despite our highlighting Cruz' then-upcoming participation as early as November 1st, we lost track of his appearances. His full stats are linked above.

No easy-to-find video available from Venezuela, but the hair is rockin'.

 

[Ro Mueller]

26-year old RF Steward Berroa keeps impressing in Winter League ball in the Dominican Republic: 2-for-3 with a double, walk and an RBI in yesterday’s 8-6 victory for first place Aguilas Cibaenas.

[Jim Goulart]

19 hours ago, Ro Mueller said:

26-year old RF Steward Berroa keeps impressing in Winter League ball in the Dominican Republic: 2-for-3 with a double, walk and an RBI in yesterday’s 8-6 victory for first place Aguilas Cibaenas.

Combining that game and Tuesday's:

After missing a few days with the flu virus (as did some of his Dominican League teammates), 40-man roster OF Steward Berroa returned the last two days (played RF in each) and was 3-for-6 including a double, sacrifice fly, 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, SB (his 12th in 14 tries). His recent efforts netted him his team's "Player of the Week" award.

 

[Jim Goulart]

On 12/6/2025 at 6:43 AM, Jim Goulart said:

"Big leaguer Andruw Monasterio will have to miss some #LVBP games starting this weekend. Monasterio will attend consular commitments."

Likely visa-related?

Monasterio returned on Thursday - playing second base, singling twice in five at-bats.

[Jim Goulart]

Confirming what we saw hinted at earlier, RHP Stiven Cruz, who has pitched well over ten Venezuelan League innings (2.70 ERA), gets the start for his club this Sunday. 

 

[Jim Goulart]

Reports out of Venezuela:

Source: Jackson Chourio will debut on Thursday, December 18, against the Leones del Caracas in Maracaibo. He will play as far as the team goes and can play defense but not every day. César Suárez commented on Venevisión.

***

Source: Jackson Chourio will debut this Thursday, December 18, against the Caracas Lions at Luis Aparicio “El Grande”.  He will play as the designated hitter for the first games, after that he will have no restrictions.

***

Translated article via the official league website:

Maracaibo - The star Jackson Chourio is ready for action and proudly wear the uniform of the Zulia Eagles, in a new season of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.

The outfielder, who has just turned his second campaign in the Major Leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers, will begin his participation with the rapacious team starting this Thursday, December 18.

"I'm very happy to play again in my country, and with my hometown team. I think that, at this time, it is a good opportunity to help my teammates achieve the goal of being champions," said Chourio.

Chourio, who in 2025 became the youngest player to achieve multiple seasons with 20 or more home runs and 20 or more stolen bases in Major League history, will join the team during the tenth week of the championship, according to his agent César Suárez.

For the 21-year-old, it will be his fifth harvest as an eaglet. Since his debut in the 2021-2022 season, he has a .293 average with 63 hits, including 16 extra-base hits, 33 runs scored and 18 RBIs.

***

The LVBP regular season started on October 15 and will run to December 27, 2025. Playoffs are scheduled to begin on December 28th, with the final series is expected to begin on January 23rd, 2026.

***

Chourio's Zulia Eagles are currently 24-23, in what appears to be a very balanced league (standings page). There is normally a "Round Robin" stage of the postseason, and then formal final playoff matchups. As such, the extent of a potential end date for Chourio is to be determined.

[Jim Goulart]

Steward Berroa's Dominican League line is growing more sizable at 35 games and 112 plate appearances - .284/.414/.455 (.869 OPS). Nice game Sunday (box) playing center field for just the 4th time (first start). Outfield assist to third base, 14th stolen base in 16 tries, single and walk.

***

Unfortunately, things did not go well on the mound Sunday in Venezuela for RHP Stiven Cruz. Making his 8th appearance but first start, Cruz managed a scoreless first inning, allowed one run in the 2nd, and was lifted after each of the first three batters in the 3rd doubled. In fact, four of the five hits he allowed overall were doubles. His line is available here (box). Cruz' team did rally for a 9-8 win.

[Jim Goulart]

Steward Berroa Tuesday doubleheader (CF, RF) - 2-for-7, 1 BB, 2 R, 2 SB (now 16-for-18), one throwing error. His teammate is 2022 Brewers 2nd rounder Robert Moore, now of the Phillies. Moore had two big games (box, box, HR).

RHP Stiven Cruz' winter stint has ended.

 

[Jim Goulart]

 

[Jim Goulart]

Jackson Chourio's debut box score, designated hitter (his team won 6-3 with a six-run 3rd inning):

Struck out swinging in the 1st (video, full at-bat)

Reaches on an error by old friend Orlando Arcia to lead off the big 3rd inning:

 

Chourio would score on a sacrifice fly that inning and also drew a two-out walk, left stranded.

Chourio was called out on strikes in the 5th and grounded out to second base in the 8th.

0-for-4, R, BB, 2K

 

[Jim Goulart]

Jackson Chourio's Game Two box score, designated hitter, again batting leadoff (his team won 14-3 in a game that was scoreless after four innings, scoring ten runs in the 6th):

• Flied out to center in the 1st
• Flied out to center to end the 2nd
• Grounded out to 2nd to end the 4th
• Walked in the 6th
• Also in the 6th, RBI on a sharp ground ball single -

• Lined out to right field in the 8th

Finished 1-for-5, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 RBI

NOTE: Look for teammate and younger brother Jaison Chourio's line - home run shy of a cycle, but so much more.

 

[Jim Goulart]

40-man roster OF Steward Berroa doubled in three plate appearances (1-for-3) and had an outfield assist from right field to home plate.

Andruw Monasterio returned to action after reports of some visa maintenance and a bit of an illness bug in the clubhouse. Here he snags a medium liner at second base

At the plate, "Mona" was 0-for-4, two K's, but was also HBP and scored a run.

[Jim Goulart]

Jackson Chourio: "I love playing in the LVBP"
The Zulian outfielder who stressed that the Creole ball helps to gain confidence and to play to win
by Jesús David Castellano

The Milwaukee Brewers' major league center fielder, Jackson Chourio, does not hide his excitement to be playing with the Zulia Eagles in the LVBP, a circuit that from his perspective feels different from the Major Leagues.

"I love playing in the LVBP. It's different from playing in the Majors," said the 21-year-old from Marabino, in statements collected by José Luis López de LVBP.com. "As long as I can be in the tournaments in Venezuela, I will be there. I feel very good when I contribute to the team. This year I have noticed a lot of harmony, there is a good atmosphere. They always welcome me with open arms. It causes uniforms and going out to play."

On having gotten permission from the Milwaukee Brewers again, with whom he made history again by becoming the youngest hitter with two seasons of 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases, he commented that the matter was more favorable for him, since he has had more preparation for his participation in the winter.

"My conversations with the Brewers have always been good-natured, when I applied for permission to play in the LVBP," Jackson Chourio said. "On this occasion I come without restrictions, and I have already been preparing for several days. First for the Home Run Festival and then to find a way to be able to debut after December 15 in Maracaibo, in front of my people."

In the same way, he confessed to being proud of what his brother Jaison has achieved and there he highlights how much Venezuelan baseball has helped them to gain confidence and develop that sense of urgency that is often needed in this sport.

"I have a very healthy competition with my brother Jaison, which started when we were kids. Today I am very proud of their progress. He's on the right track," he added about his brother, who went 5-for-6 against Leones on Friday with a double, triple, two runs scored and seven RBIs.

"And here you can see another of the advantages that playing in the LVBP offers us. Both Jaison and I started very young and playing in this league, which teaches you to gain confidence and to play to win, beyond developing. It forces you to have a winning mentality. That has helped me a lot in my career," said Jackson, who in that game on Friday against the capital added his first hit of the season.

***

Game Three Box Score

Chourio's team now 3-0 since his debut, though Jackson's contributions have been modest. Zulia scored three times in the 9th for a walk-off 7-6 win (literally a walk-off, as in walk-off base on balls).

• Lined out to center field in the 1st
• Doubles on a fly ball to center, moving a runner from 1st to 3rd with one out, it's the first play in this sequence video:

• Struck out swinging in the 4th
• Hit by pitch in the 6th (no injury delay)
• Grounds into a forceout in the 9th, advancing to second base on an error on the play, and would score on a bases-loaded walk to narrow the score to 6-5.

[Jim Goulart]

Andruw Monasterio had a huge game in Venezuela, double, two singles, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 SB, in his team's 9-6 win. Now sporting a .940 OPS in 80 plate appearances.

Two-run double crushed:

Speak Spanish? Postgame interview.

[Jim Goulart]

Steward Berroa, playing right field (.831 OPS, 129 plate appearances) singled and stole a base (17th in 19 attempts) in a 1-for-4 day that saw him strike out in his other three at-bats. That's 26 K's (20.2%) and 19 BB's (14.7%).