Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-14-16: Beau Riportella Singles & Drives In One Run; Continued Investigation Into Yulieski Gourriel & Lourdes Gourriel, Jr.; Jose Adolis Garcia Collects Three Hits & Five RBIs In Return To Cuba

Jose Adolis Garcia - Los Tigres de Ciego de Avila

California Winter League Playoffs:

Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) started in centerfield and batted eighth.  1-for-2 with one RBI, one run, one hit by pitch, and one stolen base.

Manitoba beat Midwest 8-2
CWL Official Site Post Game

Sunday's Championship Game:
Palm Springs Power (3-0) visits Manitoba (3-0) @ 12:00 PM


Caribbean Series:

Jose Adolis Garcia (Ciego de Avila) collected three hits (including one home run) and drove in five runs in his return from the Caribbean Series: Baseball de Cuba

No records show Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) and Lourdes Gourriel Jr (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) took flights out of the Dominican Republic: Diario de Cuba


World Baseball Classic Qualifier:

Australia beat South Africa 12-5 to lock in a spot in the 2017 World Baseball Classic: MLB Official Site

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-13-16: Beau Riportella Triples & Drives In One Run; John Church's Stats From The Dominican; More Info On Gourriel Brothers Escape

Midwest Haymakers - California Winter League

California Winter League Playoffs:

Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) started in centerfield and batted eighth.  1-for-4 with one triple, one RBI, and one stolen base.

Midwest beat Washington 8-1
CWL Official Site Post Game

Saturday's Games:
Midwest (2-0) visits Manitoba (2-0) @ 10:00 AM
Palm Springs Power (2-0) visits Toronto (2-0) @ 12:30 PM


Caribbean Series:

Who Is Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila)? ESPN Deportes

The investigation has lead to a known human traffic operation in Haiti and both Yulieski Gourriel and Lourdes Gourriel Jr (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) are said to be well: El Nuevo Herald

Newly signed St. Louis Cardinals John Church opened the winter season with Escogido, in the Dominican, and only made two appearances in October.  He allowed two hits, no runs, one walk, and struck two out over three innings.  The right-handed reliever collected a 1-0 record, 0.00 ERA, 2.50 WHIP, and finished one game.


World Baseball Classic Qualifier:

Saturday's Game:
South Africa (2-1) visits Australia (2-0) @ 10:00 PM ET

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-12-16: Beau Riportella Triples & Drives In One Run; Wayne Lundgren Announces Retirement; Yulieski Gourriel & Lourdes Gourriel, Jr. Rumored To Be In Panama

Wayne Lundgren - Sydney Blue Sox/Australia

California Winter League Playoffs:

Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) started in centerfield and batted eighth.  1-for-3 with one triple, one RBI, one run, and one stolen base.

Midwest beat Palm Desert 7-3
CWL Official Site Post Game

Friday's Games:
Washington (1-0) Midwest (1-0) @ 9:00 AM
Bay Area (1-0) visits Manitoba (0-0) @ 10:00 AM
Palm Springs Power (1-0) visits Canada (1-0) @ 11:30 AM
British Columbia (1-0) visits Toronto (0-0) @ 12:30 PM


Caribbean Series:

Notes:
An unknown source has said that Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) and Lourdes Gourriel Jr (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) are now in Panama: Panama American

Cuba is pushing for a deep investigation into the Gourriel brothers: El Nuevo Herald

Lawyer defends against the Cuban government's accusations the Dominican military assisted in the escapes of the Gourriel brothers: Diario de Cuba


World Baseball Classic Qualifier:

Notes:
Wayne Lundgren (former Palm Beach-Sydney) will retire after the WBC: Sydney Official Twitter

Saturday's Games:
South Africa (1-1) visits New Zealand (1-1) @ 2:30 AM ET
South Africa/New Zealand visits Australia (2-0) @ 10:00 PM ET

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-11-16: Luis Ordaz A Candidate For Zulia Coaching Staff In 2016-17; Yulieski Gourriel Residency Questionable In Panama, Dominican Military Involvement, & Scott Boras Meeting

Luis Ordaz - Aguilas de Zulia

California Winter League Playoffs:

Final Regular Season Stats:
Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) played in 14 games going 6-for-30 (.200) with one triple, two RBIs, ten runs, seven walks, eight stolen bases, seven strikeouts, and grounded into one double play.

Thursday's Games:
Palm Desert (5-7-2) visits Midwest (6-7-1) @ 8:30 AM
Bay Area (4-9-1) visits Palm Springs Chill @ 9:30 AM
Palm Springs Power (5-8-1) visits Alberta (7-4-3) @ 11:00 AM
Coachella Valley (3-11) visits Canada (10-4) @ 12:00 PM
Washington (5-8-1) visits Oregon (6-6-2) @ 1:30 PM
British Columbia (4-9-1) visits New York (9-4-1) @ 2:30 PM


Caribbean Series:

Notes:
Dominican Republic is investigating reports of the military being involved in the defections of Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) and Lourdes Gourriel Jr (Industriales-Ciego de Avila): Listin Diario

Panama denies Yulieski Gourriel has established residency in their country: Panama American

Scott Boras (former Arkansas) met with Yulieski Gourriel in June 2015: El Nuevo Herald

Fans, in Cuba, celebrate the escapes of the Gourriel brothers: Diario de Cuba

Luis Ordaz (former St. Louis) is a candidate for the Zulia coaching staff next season: El Emergente


World Baseball Classic Qualifier:

Thursday's Game:
New Zealand (0-1) visits Philippines (0-1) @ 9:00 PM ET

Friday's Game:
South Africa (1-0) visits Australia (1-0) @ 3:30 AM ET

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-10-16: Beau Riportella Singles & Coco Crisp Guest Speaker In California Winter League; Donovan Solano Thinks Highly Of Colombia's Chances In WBCQ; Yulieski Gourriel Established Residency In Panama

Coco Crisp - Guest Speaker At California Winter League

California Winter League:

Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) started in centerfield and batted fourth.  1-for-4 with one run.

Midwest and Palm Springs Powers tied 8-8
CWL Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Coco Crisp (former New Haven) spoke to the players on February 3, 2016: CWL Official Site

Playoffs Begin On Thursday


Caribbean Series:

Notes:
Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) has already established residency in Panama: El Nuevo Herald


World Baseball Classic Qualifier (February 11, 2016):

Notes:
Donovan Solano (former Memphis) thinks Colombia will qualify for the WBC: El Universal

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-9-16: Beau Riportella Drives In One Run; More On Yulieski & Lourdes Gourriel Escape From Cuba; Donovan Solano Begins Training For WBC Qualifier

Lourdes Gourriel, Jr. - Ciego de Avila (Cuba)

California Winter League:

Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) started at first base and batted fourth.  0-for-2 with one RBI and one strikeout.

Alberta beat Midwest 4-3
CWL Official Site Post Game

Tuesday's Final Regular Season Games:
Washington (4-8-1) visits Oregon (6-5-2) @ 9:00 AM
Manitoba (8-3-2) visits Coachella Valley (3-10) @ 9:30 AM
Canada (9-4) visits Alberta (7-5-1) @ 11:30 AM
Palm Desert (5-7-1) visits Palm Springs Chill (7-4-2) @ 12:00 PM
New York (8-4-1) visits Bay Area (4-8-1) @ 2:00 PM
Midwest (5-8-1) visits Palm Springs Power (6-7) @ 2:30 PM


Caribbean Series:

Notes:
Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) and Lourdes Gourriel, Jr (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) traveled to Haiti and plan to establish residency in Costa Rica.  Jose Adolis Garcia (Ciego de Avila) was also feared to have defected, but returned home with the team: Listin Diaro

The Gourriel brothers were targeted the hardest by hustlers: El Caribe

Scouts say Yulieski waited too long to defect and Lourdes doesn't have the tools to be a big impact and both may not have the major-league material: El Nuevo Dia

The Castro regime's affect on players defecting from Cuba: Diario de Cuba


World Baseball Classic Qualifier (February 11, 2016):

Notes:
Donovan Solano (former Memphis) was in camp first day of Colombian workouts: El Heraldo

Luis Urueta (former Palm Beach-Colombia MGR) and Neder Horta (former St. Louis Latin scout-Colombia coach) lead the Colombian team in workouts: El Universal

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-8-16: Yulieski Gourriel, Named To Caribbean Series All-Star Team, & Lourdes Gourriel, Jr Defect From Cuban Team; Ramon Vazquez Gets More Experience Managing Santurce

Yulieski Gourriel - Ciego de Avila (Cuba)

California Winter League:

Monday's Games:
Oregon (5-5-2) visits Manitoba (8-2-2) @ 1:30 AM
British Columbia (4-8-1) visits Toronto (9-4) @ 8:30 AM
Palm Springs Power (6-6) visits New York (7-4-1) @ 10:00 AM
Palm Springs Chill (7-4-1) visits Washington (4-8-1) @ 11:00 AM
Midwest (5-7-1) visits Alberta (6-5-1) @ 1:30 PM


Caribbean Series:

Mazatlan beat Aragua 5-4 to win the championship: MLB Official Site

Notes:
The level of baseball is much lower in Cuba compared to the other Caribbean countries: ESPN Deportes

Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) was named to the 2016 Caribbean Series All-Star Team: LVBP Official Site

Pinar del Rio has yet to receive their prize money for winning the 2015 Caribbean Series: Lider

Ramon Vazquez (former Memphis-Santurce MGR) learned a lot of things being a manager that he will bring with him as he coaches in the Houston minors system and has not discussed a return with Santurce: Noticel

Toronto won the Colombian Development League Championship: El Universal

Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales) and Lourdes Gourriel, Jr. (Industriales) have defected from the Ciego de Avila team: El Nuevo Herald

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-7-16: Beau Riportella Singles, Walks, & Scores Two Runs

Alfredo Despaigne - Cuba (Caribbean Series)

California Winter League:

Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) started at first base and batted fourth.  1-for-2 with two runs, one walk, one stolen base, and one strikeout.

Midwest beat Palm Desert 7-6

No Games Scheduled For Super Bowl Sunday


Caribbean Series:

Jose Adolis Garcia (Ciego de Avila) started in right field and moved centerfield, batting leadoff.  1-for-5 with one strikeout.
Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) started at second base and batted third.  1-for-3 with one run, two walks, one stolen base, and assisted in one double play.
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma-Ciego de Avila) started in left field and batted fourth.  1-for-3 with one double, one RBI, one walk, one hit by pitch, and grounded into one double play.
Lourdes Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) entered late in the game in right field and batted seventh.  One run and two walks.

Mazatlan beat Ciego de Avila 7-2

Sunday's Championship Game:
Aragua (4-1) visits Mazatlan (5-0) @ 3:00 PM ET

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-6-16

Edgar Renteria - Colombia World Baseball Classic MGR

Australian Baseball League Championship:

Brisbane won the championship two games to none over Adelaide: ABL Official Site


California Winter League:

Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) entered late in the game at third base and batted third.  0-for-1 at the plate.

Canada beat Midwest 9-2

Saturday's Games:
New York visits Coachella Valley
Palm Springs Chill visits Canada @ 10:00 AM
Palm Springs Power visits Bay Area @ 11:00 AM
British Columbia visits Toronto @ 12:30 PM
Palm Desert visits Midwest @ 1:30 PM


Caribbean Series:

Jose Adolis Garcia (Ciego de Avila) started in right field and moved to center, batting leadoff.  1-for-6 with two two-out RBIs and three strikeouts.
Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) started at second base and batted third.  2-for-3 with one RBI, one walk, one sac fly, and assisted in two double plays.
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma-Ciego de Avila) started in left field and batted fourth.  1-for-5 with one run.
Lourdes Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) entered late in the game in right field and batted eighth.  0-for-3 with one strikeout.

Ciego de Avila beat Escogido 4-2 in 11 innings

Notes:
Lourdes Gourriel, Jr. (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) has dreams of playing in the MLB: MLB Official Site

Commissioner of Baseball of the Caribbean is considering Panama for the sixth team in the series: El Emergente

Saturday's Games:
Santurce (2-2) visits Aragua (3-1) @ 2:30 PM ET
Santurce/Aragua visits Mazatlan (4-0) @ 6:50 PM ET


World Baseball Classic Qualifier (February 11, 2016):

Notes:
Colombia will begin workouts on Monday for the team: El Universal

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-5-16: Donovan Solano Could Play In World Baseball Classic For Colombia

Donovan Solano - Colombia (World Baseball Classic)

Australian Baseball League Championship:

Sunday's Game:
Adelaide (0-1) visits Brisbane (1-0) @ 6:00 PM AEST


California Winter League:

Friday's Games:
Palm Desert (5-5-1) visits Palm Springs Power (5-5) @ 8:30 AM
Canada (8-3) visits Midwest (4-6) @ 10:00 AM
Oregon (5-5-1) visits Alberta (6-5) @ 11:00 AM
Manitoba (7-2-2) visits Bay Area (3-7-1) @ 12:30 PM
Coachella Valley (2-9) visits Washington (4-7) @ 1:30 PM


Caribbean Series:

Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) started at third base and batted third.  2-for-5 with one ground into double play, one throwing error, and assisted in two double plays.
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma-Ciego de Avila) started as designated hitter and batted fourth.  0-for-3 with one walk.
Lourdes Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) entered late in the game in left field and batted fifth.  1-for-2 with one strikeout.
Jose Adolis Garcia (Ciego de Avila) started in centerfield and batted seventh.  2-for-4 with one triple, one run, one stolen base, one strikeout, one outfield assist, and assisted in one double play.

Aragua beat Ciego de Avila 3-1

Friday's Games:
Mazatlan (3-0) visits Santurce (2-1) @ 2:30 PM ET
Ciego de Avila (0-3) visits Escogido (0-3) @ 6:50 PM ET


World Baseball Classic Qualifier (February 11, 2016):

Notes:
Donovan Solano (former Memphis) could play for Colombia: El Universal

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-4-16: Tony Pena Inducted Into The Caribbean Series Hall Of Fame; Beau Riportella Singles; Ramon Vazquez Knows Importance Of Next Game

Tony Pena - Caribbean Series Hall Of Fame

Australian Baseball League Championship:

Friday's Game:
Adelaide (30-26) visits Brisbane (37-19) @ 6:00 PM AEST


California Winter League:

Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) started in left field and batted fourth.  1-for-3 with one stolen base.

Midwest beat New York 2-1

Thursday's Games:
Washington (4-5-1) visits Canada (7-3) @ 8:30 AM
Oregon (4-5-1) visits Coachella Valley (2-8) @ 10:00 AM
Toronto (7-4) visits Palm Springs Chill (6-3-1) @ 11:00 AM
Alberta (6-4) visits New York (5-4-1) @ 12:30 PM
British Columbia (4-6-1) visits Manitoba (6-2-2) @ 1:30 PM


Caribbean Series:

Jose Adolis Garcia (Ciego de Avila) started in right field and batted leadoff.  0-for-4 with one strikeout.
Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) started at second base and batted third.  2-for-4 and one fielding error.
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma-Ciego de Avila) started as designated hitter and batted fourth.  0-for-2 with one strikeout.
Lourdes Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) started in left field and batted ninth.  0-for-2 with two strikeouts.

Santurce beat Ciego de Avila 12-1

Notes:
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma-Ciego de Avila) hopes his chance to play in the MLB comes soon: El Universal

Tony Pena (former St. Louis) and three others were inducted into the Caribbean Hall of Fame: Listin Diario

Ramon Vazquez (former Memphis-Santurce MGR) knows how important the game against Escogido is: Noticel

Panama League put in a request to be included in the Caribbean Series: TV Max Deportes

Thursday's Games:
Aragua (2-1) visits Ciego de Avila (0-2) @ 2:30 PM ET
Escogido (0-2) visits Santurce (1-1) @ 6:50 PM ET

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-3-15: Ramon Vazquez To Make Changes To Santurce Lineup; Tony Pena To Be Inducted Into Caribbean Series Hall Of Fame

Ramon Vazquez - Cangrejeros de Santurce MGR

California Winter League:

Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) started in centerfield and batted fourth.  0-for-2 at the plate.

British Columbia beat Midwest 7-2

Wednesday's Games:
Palm Springs Chill (5-3-1) visits Palm Desert (5-4-1) @ 8:30 AM
Bay Area (2-7-1) visits British Columbia (4-5-1) @ 10:00 AM
Palm Springs Power (5-4-1) visits Oregon (3-5-1) @ 11:00 AM
New York (5-3-1) visits Midwest (3-6) @ 12:30 PM
Manitoba (6-1-2) visits Toronto (6-4) @ 1:30 PM


Caribbean Series:

Yulieski Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) started at second base and batted third.  2-for-5 with one double, one run, one strikeout, and one throwing error.
Alfredo Despaigne (Granma-Ciego de Avila) started as designated hitter and batted fourth.  1-for-5 with two strikeouts.
Jose Adolis Garcia (Ciego de Avila) started in centerfield and moved to right, batting seventh.  1-for-4 with one run.
Lourdes Gourriel (Industriales-Ciego de Avila) started in left field and batted ninth.  1-for-4 with two two-out RBIs and grounded into one double play.

Mazatlan beat Ciego de Avila 9-3

Notes:
Hundreds of scouts are on hand to check out the Cuban players: El Universal

Cuban players are being targeted by hustlers: El Caribe and El Caribe

Tony Pena (former St. Louis) will be inducted into the Caribbean Hall of Fame Wednesday: El Caribe

Ramon Vazquez (former Memphis-Santurce MGR) will make some adjustments to the lineup to avoid losing a second game: El Nuevo Dia

Wednesday's Games:
Aragua (2-0) visits Mazatlan (2-0) @ 2:30 PM ET
Santurce (0-1) visits Ciego de Avila (0-1) @ 6:50 PM ET

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-2-16: Jhonny Polanco & Fidencio Flores Named To Nicaragua WBC Roster; Nick Additon Passes On Caribbean Series; Edgar Renteria Positive About Colombian WBC Team

Jhonny Polanco - Indios del Boer

California Winter League:

Stats:
Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) has played in eight games going 3-for-26 (.188) with one triple, one RBI, seven runs, six walks, four stolen bases, and five strikeouts.

Tuesday's Games:
Midwest (3-5) visits British Columbia (3-5-1) @ 8:30 AM
Toronto (6-3) visits Palm Springs Power (4-4) @ 10:00 AM
Bay Area (2-6-1) visits Alberta (5-4) @ 11:00 AM
Palm Desert (5-3-1) visits Washington (3-6) @ 12:30 PM
Coachella Valley (2-7) visits Canada (6-3) @ 1:30 PM


Caribbean Series:

Notes:
Nick Additon (former Memphis-Escogido) decided not to pitch in the Caribbean Series: Digital Cibao

Ciego de Avila was not permitted to train at the Arizona academy: Listin Diario

Tuesday's Games:
Ciego de Avila (0-0) visits Mazatlan (1-0) @ 2:30 PM ET
Escogido (0-1) visits Aragua (1-0) @ 6:50 PM ET


World Baseball Classic (February 11, 2016):

Notes:
Jhonny Polanco (former Springfield) and Fidencio Flores (former GCL) were selected for the Nicaragua roster: La Prensa

Edgar Renteria (former St. Louis-Colombia MGR) thinks his team can win: TV Max Deportes

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-1-16: Gustavo Martinez Pitched Two Scoreless Innings; Ronald Ramirez Singles; Beau Riportella Triples Once In Two Games Played

Gustavo Martinez - Gigantes de Rivas

California Winter League:

January 30, 2016:
Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) started in centerfield and batted fourth.  0-for-2 at the plate.

Palm Desert beat Midwest 5-3
CWL Official Site Post Game

January 31, 2016:
Beau Riportella (former Quad Cities-Midwest) started in left field and batted fifth.  1-for-3 with one triple.

Midwest beat Palm Springs 4-1
CWL Official Site Post Game

Monday's Games:
Canada (6-2) visits Washington (2-6) @ 8:30 AM
Alberta (4-4) visits Palm Springs Chill (5-2-1) @ 10:00 AM
Coachella Valley (1-7) visits Palm Desert (5-2-1) @ 11:00 AM
Oregon (2-5-1) visits Bay Area (2-5-1) @ 12:30 PM
Manitoba (6-1-1) visits New York (5-3) @ 1:30 PM


Latin American Series Championship:

Ronald Ramirez (former Palm Beach-Barranquilla) started at second base and batted ninth.  1-for-3 at the plate.

Gustavo Martinez (former GCL-Rivas) entered in the sixth and pitched two innings.  He allowed one hit and no runs.  (g/f:2-3)

Rivas beat Barranquilla 12-3
LNBP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Xalapa (Veracruz League) will host the Latin American Series in 2017 with Curacao joining and the possibility of Brazil and Chile being included in the future: LIV Official Site


Caribbean Series (February 1, 2016):

Notes:
Lino Rivera (former Arkansas-Licey MGR) received praise from the fans: El Nuevo Dia

Monday's Games:
Santurce (Puerto Rico) visits Aragua (Venezuela) @ 2:00 PM ET
Mazatlan (Mexico) visits Escogido (Dominican Republic) @ 7:00 PM ET