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.

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-4-15: Juan Gonzalez & Carlos Baerga Honored; Joel Pineiro Strikes Out One & Allows Two Runs Over Six Innings; Anthony Garcia Singles Twice

Juan Gonzalez - 1995 Puerto Rican Dream Team Celebration

Caribbean Series

Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales/Pinar del Rio) started at second base and batted third.  2-for-4 at the plate.
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma/Pinar del Rio) started in left field and batted fourth.  2-for-4 at the plate.
Frederich Cepeda (Sancti Spiritus/Pinar del Rio) started as designated hitter and batted fifth.  1-for-4 with two ground into double plays.
Norge Ruiz (Camaguey/Pinar del Rio) started and pitched five innings.  He allowed nine hits, three earned runs, threw one wild pitch, and struck three out for the losing decision (0-1).  (p-s:84-58)(g/f:7-4)

Cibao beat Pinar del Rio 6-1
ESPN Deportes Post Game

Anthony Garcia (Palm Beach-Carolina/Santurce) started in left field and batted fourth.  2-for-4 at the plate.
Ruben Gotay (former Memphis-San Juan/Santurce) started at first base and batted sixth.  0-for-3 with one run, one walk, and grounded into one double play.
Joel Pineiro (former St. Louis-Santurce) started and pitched six innings.  He allowed six hits, two earned runs, threw one wild pitch, and struck one out.  (p-s:82-55)(g/f:8-8)

Culiacan beat Santurce 3-2
ESPN Deportes Post Game

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

Notes:
Caribbean Series payed tribute to the 1995 Puerto Rican team which featured Juan Gonalez (former MiLB signing) and Carlos Baerga (former St. Louis): ESPN Deportes

Justin Christian (former Memphis-Mochis) signed with Quintana Roo (Triple-A Mexican League): MiLB Official Site

Pedro Rodriguez (former MiLB signing-Caribes) has re-signed with Puebla (Triple-A Mexican League): MiLB Official Site

Josh Lueke (Tampa Bay free agent) signed with Cuidad del Carmen (Triple-A Mexican League): MiLB Official Site

Yoan Moncada (Cienfuegos) has been cleared to sign with a MLB club: MLB Official Site

Matt Slater (St. Louis scout) is one of the many scouts eyeing the Cuban team for possible future talent: New Zealand Herald

Dainer Moreira (Matanzas/Pinar del Rio) and Vladimir Gutierrez (Pinar del Rio) have defected from the Cuban team: USA Today

Cuban officials have come out and said a group is encouraging players to defect from the team: Diario de Cuba

Cuban officials say Vladimir Gutierrez (Pinar del Rio) has attrached attention from scouts: Cafe Fuerte

Cuban defectors no longer need an official permit to sign contracts with MLB teams: ESPN Deportes

Felix Fermin is leaving Lara (Venezuelan League) to manage Azucareros (Dominican League) next winter: Lider


Nippon Professional Baseball

Notes:
Shohei Otani (Nippon Ham) will play in an intra-squad game as a position player: Yakyubaka

Yokohama signed Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales) to a one-year deal and Lourdes Gourriel, Jr. (Industriales) to a two-year pact: Yakyubaka