Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-9-15: Edgard Montiel Collects Four Singles, One Double, & Scores One Run In Two Games; Gustavo Martinez Strikes Out Three & Allows Two Runs Over Six Innings; Carney Lansford A Guest Coach In China

Edgard Montiel - Indios del Boer

Caribbean Series

Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales/Pinar del Rio) 2-for-4 with one home run, one RBI, and two runs.
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma/Pinar del Rio) 2-for-3 with one hit by pitch.
Frederich Cepeda (Sancti Spiritus/Pinar del Rio) 2-for-4 with one two-out RBI and one strikeout.
Hector Mendoza (Isla de la Juvetud/Pinar del Rio) entered in the eighth and pitched 1.1 innings.  He allowed one hit, no runs, and struck one out for the save (1).  (p-s:21-15)(g/f:1-2)(ir-s:2-1)

Russell Branyan (former St. Louis-Culiacan) started as designated hitter and batted fifth.  0-for-2 at the plate.

Pinar del Rio beat Culiacan 3-2
ESPN Deportes Post Game
MLB Official Site Post Game
Cuba won their first title for the first time since 1960

Notes:
New commissioner Rob Manfred talks about the relations between MLB and Cuba: ESPN Deportes

Frederich Cepeda (Sancti Spiritus/Pinar del Rio) was named Caribbean Series MVP: ESPN Deportes

Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales/Pinar del Rio), Frederich Cepeda (Sancti Spiritus/Pinar del Rio), and Hector Mendoza (Isla de la Juvetud/Pinar del Rio) were named to the 2015 All-Caribbean Series Team: LMP Official Site

Yosvani Torres (Pinar del Rio) proves to be dominant: Listin Diario

The Caribbean Series format is causing controversy where Caribes had a record of 4-1 and Pinar del Rio, who finished 3-3, won the title: Lider

Omar Lopez (Caribes MGR) will return for the 2015-16 season: Lider

Hector Olivera (Santiago de Cuba) and Yadier Alvarez (Matanzas) will work out for clubs on Wednesday in the Dominican: Jesse Sanchez Twitter

Alejandro Ortiz (Isla de la Juvetud) petitioned for free agency: Jesse Sanchez Twitter

Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. will showcase for scouts on Monday in the Dominican: Jesse Sanchez Twitter

Luis Montanez (former Memphis-Mayaguez) to play for Fajardo and Carlos Baerga (former St. Louis) will manage Juncos in the Puerto Rican Double-A League: El Nuevo Dia


Nicaraguan Spring/Summer League

Saturday's Results:
Fidencio Flores (former DSL-Leon) allowed two hits and one earned run without recording an out as Leon beat Matagalpa 10-7: CNBS Official Site

Edgard Montiel (former DSL-Boer) went 2-for-5 at the plate as Boer beat Frente Sur Rivas 7-4: CNBS Official Site

Sunday's Results:
Edgard Montiel (former DSL-Boer) went 3-for-4 with one double and one run as Frente Sur Rivas beat Boer 4-2 in game one of doubleheader: CNBS Official Site

Gustavo Martinez (former GCL-Dantos) tossed six innings allowing four hits, two runs, four walks, and struck three out as Costa Caribe beat Dantos 3-2 in game one of doubleheader: CNBS Official Site

Carlos Teller (Boer-Dantos) has signed on to pitch for Puebla (Triple-A Mexican League): MiLB Official Site


Nippon Professional Baseball

Notes:
Rainel Rosario (former Springfield-Hiroshima) visited the hospital for acute appendicitis: Yakyubaka


Chinese Professional League

Notes:
Carney Lansford (former St. Louis coach) is being brought in by Lamingo as a guest coach: Now News

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-8-15: Russell Branyan Singles, Walks, & Drives In One Run; Pedro Rodriguez Strikes Out One Over One Hitless/Scoreless Inning; Pedro Guerrero & Felix Jose Honored By Latino Hall Of Fame

Russell Branyan - Tomateros de Culiacan

Australian Baseball League Championship

Perth beat Adelaide 12-5 to win the championship two games to one


Caribbean Series

Russell Branyan (former St. Louis-Culiacan) started as designated hitter and batted fifth.  1-for-2 with one two-out RBI, one run, one walk, one stolen base, and one strikeout.

Culiacan beat Cibao 5-4
ESPN Deportes Post Game

Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales/Pinar del Rio) started at second base and batted third.  2-for-5 with one RBI, two runs, one strikeout, and grounded into one double play.
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma/Pinar del Rio) started in left field and batted fourth.  1-for-5 with two runs and one outfield assist.
Frederich Cepeda (Sancti Spiritus/Pinar del Rio) started as designated hitter and batted sixth.  4-for-5 with two doubles, one triple, five RBIs, and one run.
Norge Ruiz (Camaguey/Pinar del Rio) entered in the fourth and pitched 4.1 innings.  He allowed five hits, no runs, one walk, hit one batter, and struck two out for the winning decision (1-1).  (p-s:77-44)(g/f:6-2)(ir-s:2-1)
Hector Mendoza (Isla de la Juventud/Pinar del Rio) entered in the ninth and pitched one inning.  He allowed no hits or runs, and struck two out.  (p-s:14-9)

Pedro Rodriguez (former MiLB signing-Caribes) entered in the ninth and pitched one inning.  He allowed no hits or runs, and struck one out.  (p-s:9-8)(g/f:1-1)

Pinar del Rio beat Caribes 8-4
ESPN Deportes Post Game

Notes:
Julio Franco (Fort Worth free agent) has signed on as a player-manager for Ishikawa (Independent Japan BC League): Ishikawa Official Twitter

Frederich Cepeda (Santci Spiritus/Pinar del Rio) talks about his stellar game on Saturday: ESPN Deportes

Diosdany Castillo (Villa Clara) will continue to work out for MLB teams this coming week: JR Ricket Twitter

Johan Santana (Baltimore free agent-Magallanes) underwent stem cell treatment on his shoulder: Lider

Pedro Guerrero (former St. Louis) and Felix Jose (former St. Louis) were honored by the Latino Hall of Fame: Lider

Sunday's Game:
Pinar del Rio (2-3) visits Culiacan (3-2) @ 4:30 PM ET : ESPN Deportes Preview


Nippon Professional Basbeall

Notes:
Shohei Otani (Nippon Ham) may not be selected for the Samurai Japan roster set for March 10 and 11 due to spring training scheduled: Yakyubaka

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-6-15: Pedro Rodriguez Strikes Out One Over One Scoreless Innings; Russell Branyan Singles; Jem Argenal Has No Contract For Upcoming Nicaraguan Spring League

Russell Branyan - Tomateros de Culiacan

Australian Baseball League Championship

Adelaide beat Perth 3-2 in game one

Notes:
Baseball Australia will induct Grant Balfour (Tampa Bay) into the Hall of Fame: Baseball Australia

Saturday's Game:
Perth (0-1) visits Adelaide (1-0) @ 7:00 PM ACT


Caribbean Series

Pedro Rodriguez (former MiLB signing-Caribes) entered in the ninth and pitched one inning.  He allowed two hits, no runs, and struck one out.  (p-s:18-12)(g/f:1-1)

Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales/Pinar del Rio) started at second base and batted third.  1-for-4 with one strikeout and assisted in one double play.
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma.Pinar del Rio) started as designated hitter and batted fourth.  2-for-4 with one strikeout.
Frederich Cepeda (Sancti Spiritus/Pinar del Rio) entered late in the game as a pinch hitter and batted ninth.  0-for-1 at the plate.

Caribes beat Pinar del Rio 6-2
ESPN Deportes Post Game

Russell Branyan (former St. Louis-Culiacan) started as designated hitter and batted fifth.  1-for-4 with one strikeout.

Cibao beat Culiacan 3-2
ESPN Deportes Post Game

Friday's Games:
Culiacan (2-1) visits Caribes (3-0) @ 12:05 PM ET
Cibao (2-1) visits Santurce (0-3) @ 6:30 PM ET

Notes:
Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales/Pinar del Rio) makes scouts wonder what he would be like in the MLB: MLB Official Site

Vladimir Gutierrez (Pinar del Rio) is trying to apply for asylum in Puerto Rico: MLB Official Site

Valdimir Gutierrez (Pinar del Rio) and Dainer Moreira (Matanzas/Pinar del Rio) are safe and Gutierrez is leaning towards signing with Roc Nation: Dairio de Cuba

Activists use simple method to help Cubans defect: KSDK

Hector Mendoza (Isla de le Juventud/Pinar del Rio) dazzles in Caribbean Series: El Nuevo Dia

Eduardo Perez (former St. Louis-Santurce MGR) talks about what needs to happen in order for Santurce to stay in the chase: NotiCel

Jem Argenal (former GCL-Chinandega) will not play for Chinandega in the CNBS because he could not negotiate a contract with the team: La Prensa

Newly signed Jesus Daniel Garcia (MiLB signing-Veracruz) posted a 4-4 record (had at least six starts), 2.35 ERA, and one save in the Mexican Academy League.  He allowed 53 hits, 24 runs (15 earned), 17 walks, hit seven batters, threw five wild pitches, and struck 40 out over 57 innings.


Chinese Professional League

Notes:
Lamigo signed Jonathan Arias (Monterrey): Now News

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-5-15: Anthony Garcia Singles & Drives In One Run; Pedro Rodriguez Strikes Out Two Of Three Batters Faced For The Save; Jose Gonzalez Spent 2014-15 Winter Season With La Guaira In Venezuelan

Pedro Rodriguez - Caribes de Anzoategui

Australian Baseball League Championship

Friday's Game:
Perth (0-0) visits Adelaide (0-0) @ 7:00 PM ACT - Preview


Caribbean Series

Pedro Rodriguez (former MiLB signing-Caribes) entered in the ninth and pitched one inning.  He allowed no hits or runs, and struck two out for the save (1).  (p-s:14-10)(g/f:1-0)

Caribes beat Cibao 6-5
ESPN Deportes Post Game

Anthony Garcia (Palm Beach-Carolina/Santurce) started in left field and batted fifth.  1-for-4 with one RBI and one strikeout.
Ruben Gotay (former Memphis-San Juan/Santurce) started as designated hitter and batted sixth.  0-for-4 with one sacrifice and two strikeouts.
Ivan Maldonado (former MiLB tryout-Santurce) started and pitched one inning.  He allowed two hits, two earned runs, one walk, hit one batter, and struck one out.  (p-s:19-10)
Pedro Feliciano (former Memphis-Santurce) entered in the eighth and pitched to one batter.  He allowed no hits or runs.  (p-s:1-1)(g/f:1-0)

Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales/Pinar del Rio) started at second base and batted third.  1-for-4 with one RBI, one strikeout, and one caught strealing.
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma/Pinar del Rio) started as designated hitter and batted fourth.  1-for-4 with one strikeout.
Hector Mendoza (Isla de la Juventud/Pinar del Rio) entered in the seventh and pitched 3.2 innings.  He allowed two hits, no runs, four walks (one intentional), hit one batter, and struck four out for the winning decision (1-0).  (p-s:63-31)(g/f:2-1)(ir-s:1-0)

Pinar del Rio beat Santurce 3-2 in 10 innings
ESPN Deportes Post Game

Thursday's Games:
Caribes (2-0) visits Pinar del Rio (1-2) @ 12:05 PM ET
Culiacan (2-0) visits Cibao (1-1) @ 6:30 PM ET

Notes:
Vladimir Gutierrez (Pinar del Rio) falls under the July 2nd guidelines since he isn't 23 and hasn't played at least five season in professional ball: MLB Official Site

Yoan Moncada (Cienfuegos) would like to sign as soon as possible and get to training right away: MLB Official Site

St. Louis is not considered one of the likely destinations for Yoan Moncada (Cienfuegos): MLB Official Site

Aroldis Chapman (Holguin-Cincinnati) visited Puerto Rico to watch the Cuban team: ESPN Deportes

Alfonso Urquiola (Pinar del Rio MGR) had some harsh comments on the recent defections: Lider

The International Prospect League will host a showcase on February 11, 2015 featuring Cubans Elier Sanchez, Hector Olivera, and Yadier Alvarez: IPL Official Twitter

Licey extended the contract of Manny Acta (former Cleveland MGR) through next season: Listin Diario

The Nicaraguan National Championship will use instant replay and Edgard Montiel (former DSL-Chinandega) has requested to keep playing for Boer: La Prensa

Jay-Z is interested in adding Vladimir Gutierrez (Pinar del Rio) to his Roc Nation roster: El Nuevo Herald

24-year old right-handed pitcher Orlando Barroso (Santiago de Cuba) has defected from Cuba: Diario de Cuba

Nettuno 2 (Italian Baseball League) is interested in adding Jose Angel Garcia (Artemisa): Mister Baseball

Newly signed Carlos Villanueva (MiLB signing) belongs to the Cibaenas (Dominican League) organization.

Newly signed Jose Gonzalez (MiLB signing) spent this past winter playing for La Guaira (Venezuelan League) getting in 31 games going 24-for-94 (.255) with three doubles, one home run, nine walks, 30 total bases, eight runs, ten walks, 25 strikeouts, .324 OBP, .319 SLG, and .643 OPS.