Cardinals Winter League Notebook 1-31-13

Venezuelan League Championship

Cesar Izturis (former St. Louis-Lara) started at shortstop and batted leadoff.  2-for-5 with one RBI, one run, one fielding error, and assisted in one double play.
Richard Castillo (Springfield-Lara) entered in the third and pitched 1.1 innings.  He allowed four hits, three earned runs, two home runs, and struck one out. (g/f:2-2)(ir-s:1-0)

Magallanes beat Lara 11-9
LVBP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Magallanes took the championship over Lara four games to three and will represent Venezuela in the Caribbean Series.

Caribbean Series @ Hermosillo, Mexico

Notes:
Joe Thurston (former St. Louis-Lara) is listed on the Magallanes roster: Lider

Moises Alou ( Escogido GM) is considering stepping down for some time off: Listin Diario

Julio Lugo (former St. Louis-Escogido) would like to return to the majors or play in Japan: Listin Diario

Friday's Games:
Magallanes (Venezuela) visits Escogido (Dominican) @ 5:00 PM ET
Caguas (Puerto Rico) visits Obregon (Mexican Pacific) @ 9:30 PM ET

Latin American Series @ Beo Avila University

Notes:
Javier Brito (former Memphis-Margarita/Cartagena) was included on the Barranquilla roster: Barranquilla Official Site

Curt Smith (former Springfield-Chinandega) will not be with the team, but Jem Argenal (GCL-Chinandega) will: La Prensa

Friday's Games:
Cocle (Panama) visits Barranquilla (Colombia)
Chinandega (Nicaragua) visits San Andres (Veracruz)

Australian League Playoffs

Fridays' Game:
Perth (0-0) visits Sydney (0-0) @ 7:30 PM ET

World Baseball Classic

Curt Smith (former Springfield-Chinandega) will be joining Netherlands to begin training for the WBC: El Nuevo Diario

Triple-A Mexican League (March 23, 2013)

Jesse English (Bridgeport) has signed with Reynosa: MiLB Official Site

Eder Llamas (Minatitlan-Mochis) has signed with Aguascalientes: MiLB Official Site

Japan League

Brian Falkenborg (former St. Louis) will be in Softbank camp: Yakyubaka

European League

Atlanta signed 18-year old infielder Mattia Mercuri (Nettuno): Mister Baseball

Edwin Bellorin (La Guaira) signed with Nettuno (Italy): Mister Baseball

Former Cardinals

Nick Derba (former Memphis) was hired as a volunteer assistant coach at Manhattan College: Manhattan Official Site

Los Angeles, Toronto, Anaheim, Detroit, Baltimore, Milwaukee, and Oakland had scouts checking out Kip Wells (former St. Louis): Jerry Crasnick Twitter

Introducing (Potential) Red Sox Mark Hamilton (former St. Louis-Guasave): Over The Monster

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 1-30-13

Venezuelan League Championship

Cesar Izturis (former St. Louis-Lara) started at shortstop and batted ninth.  0-for-3 with one strikeout and assisted in two double plays.

Victor Marte (St. Louis-Magallanes) entered in the sixth and pitched two innings.  He allowed one hit, one earned run, threw one wild pitch, and struck two out. (g/f:2-2)

Magallanes beat Lara 7-3
LVBP Official Site Post Game
Licey Official Site On V.Marte

Wednesday's Game:
Lara (3-3) visits Magallanes (3-3) @ 7:30 PM VST

CARIBBEAN SERIES -HERMOSILLO, MEXICO (FEBRUARY 1, 2013)

Notes:
Fernando Valenzuela (former St. Louis-Hermosillo) will be enshrined in the Caribbean Series Hall of Fame: Hermosillo Official Site

Kiko Calero (former St. Louis) is the bullpen coach for Caguas.

Lou Montanez (Memphis Free Agent-Caguas) was left off the roster: El Nuevo Dia

Friday's Games:
Venezuelan League Championship visits Escogido (Dominican League Champion) @ 5:00 PM ET
Caguas (Puerto Rican League Chgampion) visits Obregon (Mexican Pacific League Champion) @ 9:30 PM ET

MLB Official Site Schedule

LATIN AMERICAN SERIES - BETO AVILA UNIVERSITY, MEXICO (FEBRUARY 1, 2013)

Friday's Games:
Cocle (Panama League Champion) visits Barranquilla (Colombian League Champion)
Chinandega (Nicaraguan League Champion) visits San Andres (Veracruz League Champion)

Veracruz League Official Site Schedule

Nicaraguan League Championship

Curt Smith (former Springfield-Chinandega) started in right field and batted fourth.  1-for-5 with two strikeouts.
Jem Argenal (GCL-Chinandega) started as designated hitter and batted seventh.  1-for-4 with one run and two strikeouts.

Chinandega beat Granada 3-2
LNBP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Chinandega claimed the championship over Granada four games to two and will represent Nicaragua in the Latin American Series in Mexico.

Jem Argenal (GCL-Chinandega) was given some positive feedback as a younger player winning the starting job: La Prensa

The Nicaraguan Superior League will begin on February 15: La Prensa

Softbank announced the signing of Vicente Padilla (Chinandega): Yakyubaka

Colombian League Championship

Sunday's Results:
Barranquilla beat Cartagena 5-3 - No Boxscore Available

No Game Scheduled For Monday

Tuesday's Results:
Jolbert Cabrera (former Memphis-Cartagena) started at third base and batted third.  0-for-5 with two strikeouts.
Javier Brito (former Memphis-Cartagena) started at first base and batted fourth.  1-for-3 with two walks.
Ronald Ramirez (former Palm Beach-Cartagena) started at shortstop and batted ninth.  0-for-2 with one walk and one sacrifice.

Barranquilla beat Cartagena 3-2
El Heraldo Post Game

Notes:
Barranquilla claimed the championship over Cartagena four games to two and will head to Mexico for the Latin American Series.

Australian League Playoffs (February 1, 2013)

Friday's Game:
Perth (25-21) visits Sydney (26-19) @ 7:30 PM ET : ABL Official Site Pregame

World Baseball Classic

Albert Pujols (former St. Louis-Cibao) will ask for permission from Anaheim to play with Dominican team: Lider

Andy Pettitte (New York-A) has pulled out of the WBC: Mister Baseball

Triple-A Mexican League

Mexico with visit Texas for an exhibition game on March 28: MiLB Official Site

Los Angeles has changed their mind and have requested Jesus Arredondo (Los Angeles-Mochis) be present in camp instead of playing for Monclova: MiLB Official Site

Barbaro Canizares (Winnipeg-Obregon) will return to play for Oaxaca: MiLB Official Site

Japan League

Kevin Moscatel (former Palm Beach-Caribes) has signed with Yokohama according to Lider but Yokohoma official site says it's a tryout.

Yokohama announced the signing of Jorge Sosa (former St. Louis): Yakyubaka

Current Cardinals

24 prospects were invited to early spring camp scheduled to begin on February 22: St. Louis Official Site

Oscar Taveras (Springfield-Aguilas), Shelby Miller (St. Louis), Carlos Martinez (Springfield-Aguilas), Trevor Rosenthal (St. Louis), Kolten Wong (Springfield-Surprise), and Michael Wacha (Springfield) rank in the top 100 MLB prospects: St. Louis Official Site

Ballpark village preliminary work begins: KSDK

Brian Feldman takes a look at the pitching competition heading into spring training: KMOV

Former Cardinals

Kip Wells (former St. Louis) threw a bullpen session for Seattle: Evan Drellich Twitter

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 1-10-13

Venezuelan League Round Robin

Joe Thurston (former St. Louis-Lara) started in left field and batted seventh.  1-for-4 with one strikeout.
Richard Castillo (Springfield-Lara) entered in the fifth and pitched to three batters.  He allowed two hits, two earned runs, and struck one out. (ir-s:1-0)

Zulia beat Lara 7-1
LVBP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Cesar Izturis (former St. Louis-Lara) hopes to help the younger players: LVBP Official Site

Lara is waiting on Atlanta to ok Yohan Flande (Licey) to pitch: Lider

St. Louis remains interested Alex Gonzalez (Milwaukee), who plans to play for Caracas: Lider and his batting practice: Lider

Thursday's Games:
Zulia (4-2) visits Caribes (2-4) @ 7:30 PM VST
Caracas (4-2) visits Lara 3-4) @ 7:30 PM VST

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs

Iker Franco (former Springfield-Obregon) started at catcher and batted eighth.  1-for-5 with one strikeout.

Mark Hamilton (former St. Louis-Guasave) started in left field and batted fifth.  0-for-3 with one RBI, two walks, and two strikeouts.

Guasave beat Obregon 4-3 in 11 innings
LMP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Jorge Cantu (Anaheim Free Agent-Hermosillo) has not heard from any major league teams and leaves open the possibility of playing Mexico or Japan: MiLB Official Site

Henry Mateo (former Tabasco-Mazatlan) has signed with Saltillo: MiLB Official Site

Thursday's Games:
Obregon (3-3) visits Guasave (3-3) @ 7:30 PM MT
Mazatlan (3-3) visits Mexicali (3-3) @ 7:30 PM PT

Veracruz League Playoffs

Ivan Bellazetin (former MiLB tryout-Xalapa) started at shortstop and batted leadoff.  0-for-4 with one run, one walk, and one strikeout.

Xalapa beat Tuxpan 8-3
LIV Official Site Post Game

Amaury Cazana (former Memphis-Santa Rosa) started in right field and batted fourth.  3-for-5 with one double, two RBIs, one run, and one stolen base.

Santa Rosa beat Boca Del Rio 10-2
LIV Official Site Post Game

Francisco Rivera (former Palm Beach-San Andres) started in right field and moved to first base, batting seventh.  0-for-4 with one walk and one strikeout.

San Andres beat Huatusco 8-1
LIV Official Site Post Game

Dominican League Round Robin

Eugenio Velez (former Memphis-Azucareros) started in left field and batted seventh.  1-for-3 with one walk.

Julio Lugo (former St. Louis-Escogido) started as designated hitter and batted eighth.  1-for-2 with one walk.
Octavio Dotel (former St. Louis-Escogido) entered in the seventh and pitched one inning.  He allowed two hits, two unearned runs, and struck one out. (g/f:0-2)

Azucareros beat Escogido 5-1
LIDOM Official Site Post Game

Hector Luna (former St. Louis-Aguilas) started at third base and batted third.  1-for-5 with one home run, four RBIs, and one run.

Omar Javier (former Johnson City-Estrellas) started and pitched 4.1 innings.  He allowed five hits, two earned runs, one home run, three walks, and struck one out. (g/f:6-1)

Aguilas beat Estrellas 11-3
LIDOM Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Carlos Colmenares (Anaheim Free Agent-Aragua/Estrellas) signed with Southern Illinois (Frontier League): Aragua Official Site

Starlin Castro (Chicago-N) is expected to debut with Escogido in the coming days: LIDOM Official Site

Thursday's Games:
Aguilas (7-4) visits Escogido (7-4) @ 7:30 PM AST
Estrellas (2-9) visits Azucareros (6-5) @ 7:30 PM AST

Puerto Rican League Playoffs

Luis Mateo (Quad Cities-Caguas) started at shortstop and batted ninth.  2-for-2 with one run and one walk.

Santurce beat Caguas 2-1
El Nuevo Dia Post Game

Anthony Garcia (Quad Cities-Carolina) started in right field and batted fifth.  1-for-3 with one RBI, one sac fly, and one outfield assist.
Juan Caballero (GCL-Carolina) entered in the fourth and pitched four innings.  He allowed four hits, one earned run, one home run, and struck three out. (g/f:2-5)(ir-s:2-2)

Mayaguez beat Carolina 10-4
Primera Hora Post Game

Notes:
Carlos Baerga (former St. Louis) was selected as General Manager of the Year for his work with Santurce: Primera Hora

No Games Scheduled For Thursday

Nicaraguan League

Curt Smith (former Springfield-Chinandega) 1-for-3 at the plate.

Granada beat Chinandega 6-1
LNBP Official Site Post Game 

Notes:
Mexico (Triple-A Mexican League) was scouting Edgar Ramirez (New York-N-Leon): La Prensa

Thursday's Games:
Granada (27-23) visits Chinandega (27-23)

Colombian League

No Games Scheduled For Wednesday

Thursday's Games:
Barranquilla (22-13) visits Monteria (17-19)
Sincelejo (13-23) visits Cartagena (19-16)

Panama League

Marlon Sucre (former DSL-Cocle) entered late in the game in the outfield and batted sixth.  1-for-1 with one double and one run.

Cocle beat Herrera 11-3
Panama League Official Site Post Game

Thursday's Games:
Panama (6-9) visits Cocle (9-8)
Herrera (9-9) visits Chiriqui (9-7)

Australian League

Thursday's Results:
Geoff Klein (Palm Beach-Sydney) started at catcher and batted fifth.  2-for-4 with two doubles, one run, one walk, and one passed ball.
Wayne Lundgren (former Palm Beach-Sydney) entered in the eighth and pitched one inning.  He allowed no hits or runs, and struck one out. (p-s:10-7)(g/f:2-0)

Sydney beat Melbourne 13-3
Sydney Official Site Post Game

Friday's Games:
Melbourne (13-22) visits Sydney (19-16) @ 7:30 PM ET
Canberra (22-11) visits Brisbane (14-19) @ 7:00 PM ET
Adelaide (16-18) visits Perth (18-16) @ 7:20 PM WST

World Baseball Classic

Martin Prado (Atlanta) may play with Venezuela: Aragua Official Site

Current Cardinals

Jordan Swagerty (Springfield) updated fans on his progress since surgery: MiLB Prospective

2013 holds great anticipation at Roger Dean Stadium: TC Palm

Former Cardinals

Texas talked to Toronto about the availability of Darren Oliver (former St. Louis): MLB Official Site

San Diego is among three teams interested in Kip Wells (former St. Louis): Hot Stove Blog

Milwaukee and Chris Narveson (former St. Louis) avoided arbitration: Adam McCalvy Twitter

Los Angeles signed Brian Barden (former St. Louis) to a minor league deal: Matt Eddy Twitter

New York-A signed Randy Ruiz (former MiLB signing-Mayaguez) to a minor league deal: Baseball America

Ryan Ivey (former Stadium Operations Assistant for Memphis) was named Texas A&M University-Commerce Athletic Director: The Glimmer Mirror

Dave Heller (Quad Cities owner) is considering adding a Ferris wheel and carousel to riverfront: KCRG-TV9

St. Paul (American Association) released Jim Rapoport (former Memphis).

Mexican Pacific League 2011 Final Stats - Current & Former Cardinals

Current Cardinals:

Jermaine Curtis (Springfield-Mochis) played in 63 games going 63-for-214 (.294) with nine doubles, 25 RBIs, 72 total bases, 37 runs, 35 walks, 30 strikeouts, 12 stolen bases, three caught stealing, .417 OBP, and .336 SLG.
Mark Hamilton (Memphis-Hermosillo) played in 39 games going 40-for-151 (.265) with eight doubles, five home runs, 31 RBIs, 63 total bases, 21 runs, 24 walks, 32 strikeouts, one caught stealing, .365 OBP, and .417 SLG.
Amaury Cazana (Memphis-Culiacan) played in 45 games going 35-for-157 (.223) with seven doubles, ten home runs, 18 RBIs, 72 total bases, 22 runs, 20 walks, 53 strikeouts, .322 OBP, and .459 SLG.

R.J. Swindle (MiLB signing-Guasave) made three appearances (two starts) posting a 0-2 record, 6.43 ERA, and 1.86 WHIP.  He allowed nine hits, five earned runs, one home run, four walks, and struck seven out over seven innings.


Former Cardinals:

Javier Colina (former Memphis-Navojoa) played in 26 games going 27-for-103 (.262) with six doubles, six home runs, 17 RBIs, 51 total bases, 13 runs, eight walks, 14 strikeouts, .319 OBP, and .495 SLG.
Iker Franco (former Springfield-Obregon) played in 57 games going 50-for-192 (.260) with six doubles, four home runs, 23 RBIs, 68 total bases, 28 runs, 36 walks, 34 strikeouts, one stolen base, .378 OBP, and .354 SLG.
Kevin Howard (former Memphis-Mazatlan) played in 39 games going 34-for-135 (.252) with five doubles, 11 RBIs, 39 total bases, 12 runs, ten walks, 30 strikeouts, four stolen bases, one caught stealing, .301 OBP, and .289 SLG.

Ricardo Rincon (former St. Louis-Mochis) made 14 relief appearances posting a 1-0 record, 1.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and five holds.  He allowed seven hits, three runs (two earned), hit one batter, walked five, and struck five out over 9.2 innings.
Alberto Castillo (former MiLB signing-Mochis) made six appearances (four starts) posting a 0-1 record, 2.55 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and one hold.  He allowed 17 hits, seven earned runs, hit one batter, walked 13, and struck 26 out over 24.2 innings.
Randy Keisler (former St. Louis-Obregon) made 13 appearances (12 starts) posting a 7-3 record, 3.33 ERA, and 1.21 WHIP.  He allowed 56 hits, 30 runs (27 earned), eight home runs, hit two batters, walked 32, and struck 61 out over 73 innings.
Dan Serafini (former Memphis-Mochis) made ten appearances (nine starts) posting a 4-2 record, 3.55 ERA, and 1.28 WHIP.  He allowed 45 hits, 24 runs (20 earned), six home runs, hit one batter, walked 20, and struck 41 out over 50.2 innings.
Hugo Castellanos (former Memphis-Obregon) made 42 relief appearances posting a 1-0 record, 3.91 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 15 holds.  He allowed 18 hits, 11 earned runs, one home run, hit two batters, walked 17, and struck 15 out over 25.1 innings.
Kip Wells (former St. Louis-Obregon/Mazatlan) made seven starts posting a 1-0 record, 4.40 ERA, and 1.66 WHIP.  He allowed 31 hits, 22 runs (15 earned), one home run, hit three batters, walked 20, and struck 21 out over 30.2 innings.
Dennys Reyes (former St. Louis-Mochis) made five appearances (four starts) posting a 0-1 record, 6.75 ERA, and 1.75 WHIP.  He allowed ten hits, 11 runs (nine earned), one home run, 11 walks, and struck 12 out over 12 innings.
Juan Acevedo (former St. Louis-Guasave) made two starts posting a 0-0 record, 7.71 ERA, and 1.82 WHIP. He allowed 16 hits, eight earned runs, four home runs, one walk, and struck five out over 9.1 innings.