Cardinals Winter League Notebook 12-28-15: Cesar Izturis Plays Final Game; Nick Additon Strikes Out Five Over Six Scoreless Innings For The Win; Tidbits On Miguel Socolovich, Jaime Garcia, & Trevor Rosenthal

Cesar Izturis - Cardenales de Lara

Venezuelan League:

Jose Gonzalez (Springfield free agent-La Guaira) started at catcher and batted eighth.  0-for-2 with one run, one hit by pitch, one strikeout, and threw out one base runner.

La Guaira beat Zulia 8-7
LVBP Official Site Post Game

Ildemaro Vargas (former Palm Beach-Lara) started at second base and batted leadoff.  1-for-3 with one RBI, one run, one walk, and one strikeout.
Cesar Izturis (former St. Louis-Lara) started at shortstop and batted second.  0-for-2 with one strikeout.

Lara beat Caracas 3-1
LVBP Official Site Post Game

Breyvic Valera (Springfield-Margarita) started at third base and batted leadoff.  0-for-4 with one sacrifice and one strikeout.
Justin Wright (Memphis-Margarita) entered in the ninth and pitched one inning.  He allowed one hit, no runs, and struck two out.  (p-s:9-9)

Margarita beat Aragua 6-0
LVBP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Cesar Izturis (former St. Louis-Lara) was a knight of excellence: Lara Official Site

Cesar Izturis (former St. Louis-Lara) says goodbye to the game: LVBP Official Site and Lider

Dail Villanueva (former Peoria) was removed from the Caracas active roster: LVBP Official Site

Miguel Socolovich (St. Louis) may pitch for Caracas in January: El Emergente

Monday's Games:
Aragua (11-18) visits Margarita (19-11) @ 6:00 PM VET
Caribes (16-13) visits Caracas (16-13) @ 7:00 PM VET
La Guaira (14-16) visits Lara (15-14) @ 7:30 PM VET


Mexican Pacific League:

Ramon Delgado (former Memphis-Jalisco) entered in the fifth and pitched 1.1 innings.  He allowed two hits and no runs.  (p-s:10-8)(g/f:3-0)(ir-s:2-0)

Mazatlan beat Jalisco 8-1
LMP Official Site Post Game

Luis Garcia (former New Haven-Hermosillo) entered late in the game at a pinch hitter and batted ninth.  1-for-1 at the plate.

Iker Franco (former Springfield-Obregon) started at catcher and batted eighth.  0-for-3 with one strikeout.

Obregon beat Hermosillo 5-3
LMP Official Site Post Game

Monday's Games:
Mexicali (14-16) visits Culiacan (15-16) @ 7:30 PM MT
Mochis (14-17) visits Navojoa (17-14) @ 7:30 PM MST
Hermosillo (15-15) visits Obregon (20-11) @ 7:30 PM MST
Jalisco (11-20) visits Mazatlan (17-14) @ 8:00 PM MT


Dominican League Playoffs:

Nick Additon (former Memphis-Escogido) started and pitched six innings.  He allowed three hits, no runs, one walk, and struck five out for the winning decision (1-0).  (g/f:2-1)

Escogido beat Licey 4-0
LIDOM Official Site Post Game

Eugenio Velez (former Memphis-Azucareros) started in left field and batted third.  0-for-2 with one RBI, one walk, and one sac fly.

Alberto Rosario (Memphis free agent-Estrellas) started at catcher and batted ninth.  1-for-3 with one double and assisted in one double play.

Azucareros beat Estrellas 3-2
LIDOM Official Site Post Game

Monday's Games:
Estrellas (0-1) visits Escogido (1-0) @ 7:30 PM AST
Licey (0-1) visits Azucareros (1-0) @ 7:30 PM AST


Australian Baseball League:

Tuesday's Games:
Canberra (23-16) visits Adelaide (19-19) @ 12:00 PM ACT
Sydney (19-19) visits Brisbane (23-16) @ 2:00 PM AEST
Melbourne (15-24) visits Perth (17-22) @ 4:05 PM AWST


Nicaraguan League:

Curt Smith (former Springfield-Chinandega) started at first base and batted fourth.  2-for-4 with one RBI, two runs, and one walk.
Jem Argenal (former GCL-Chinandega) started in right field and batted sixth.  1-for-5 with one RBI and one run.

David Bergin (former Quad Cities-Boer) started as designated hitter and batted sixth.  2-for-4 at the plate.
Edgard Montiel (former DSL-Boer) started at third base and batted seventh.  0-for-5 at the plate.
Fidencio Flores (former GCL-Boer) entered in the fourth and pitched 3.1 innings.  He allowed one hit, no runs, four walks, and struck one out.  (g/f:3-2)
Jhonny Polanco (former Springfield-Boer) entered in the ninth and pitched two innings.  He allowed two hits, one earned run, and struck one out for the blown save.  (g/f:1-3)

Chinandega beat Boer 9-7 in 11 innings
LNBP Official Site Post Game

No Games Scheduled For Monday


Puerto Rican League:

Felipe Lopez (former St. Louis-Carolina) started as designated hitter and batted fourth.  0-for-3 with one strikeout.
Jonathan Rodriguez (Memphis-Carolina) started at third base and batted fifth.  0-for-3 with one strikeout and one throwing error.
Juan Caballero (former Johnson City-Carolina) entered in the second and pitched 2.2 innings.  He allowed no hits or runs.  (g/f:2-5)(ir-s:3-1)
Pedro Echemendia (State College-Carolina) entered in the fifth and pitched two innings.  He allowed one hit, no runs, and struck one out.  (g/f:2-2)

Luis Mateo (former Memphis-Caguas) entered late in the game at second base and batted eighth.  0-for-2 at the plate.

Caguas beat Carolina 9-0
LBPRC Official Site Post Game

No Games Scheduled For Monday


Veracruz League:

Francisco Rivera (former Palm Beach-San Andres) started at first base and batted third.  2-for-3 with one run and one walk.
Omar Javier (former Johnson City-San Andres) entered in the ninth and pitched one inning.  He allowed one hit, no runs, threw one wild pitch, and struck one out for the save.  (g/f:0-1)

San Andres beat Palenque 4-2
LIV Official Site Post Game

Monday's Games:
San Andres (14-10) visits Xalapa (11-12-1) @ 1:00 PM
Chiapas (10-14) visits Acayucan (13-8) @ 1:30 PM
Paso de Ovejas (14-9-1) visits Palenque (6-15) @ 7:00 PM


Panama League:

Jonathan Rivera (GCL-Metro) started in right field and batted fourth.  1-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Metro beat Panama 7-1
TV Max Deportes Post Game

Monday's Games:
Metro visits Panama @ 7:00 PM
Veraguas visits Cocle @ 7:00 PM


World Baseball Classic Qualifier (February 11, 2016):

Notes:
Jaime Garcia (St. Louis) has expressed his interest in pitching for Mexico while Max Scherzer (former 2003 draft selection), David Freese (former St. Louis), Kyle Lohse (former St. Louis), Trevor Rosenthal (St. Louis), and Edwin Jackson (former St. Louis) all have German ties: La Prensa

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-8-13

Caribbean Series Championship

Dennys Reyes (former St. Louis-Obregon) entered in the tenth and pitched to one batter.  He allowed no hits or runs. (p-s:4-2)(ir-s:2-0)

Julio Lugo (former St. Louis-Escogido) entered late in the game as a pinch hitter and batted ninth.  0-for-1 at the plate.

Obregon beat Escogido 4-3 in 18 innings
LMP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
The Caribbean Series may be played at the Miami home stadium: MLB Official Site

Caracas (LVBP) sent Marwin Gonzalez (Houston) and Augusto Colinas (Chicago-N) to Zulia for Gerardo Parra (Arizona): Caracas Official Site

Australian League Championship

Canberra beat Perth 6-4

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

World Baseball Classic

Felix Hernandez (Seattle) will not pitch for Venezuela: Lider

Jurickson Profar (Texas) says he might play for Netherlands now: Mister Baseball

Triple-A Mexican League

Kelvin Villa (Sugarland-Caguas) has signed with Laguna: MiLB Official Site

Nicaraguan League

Uber Paz (San Diego) must get permission in order to pitch for Leon: La Prensa

Current Cardinals

St. Louis and David Freese (St. Louis) avoided arbitration: Derrick Goold Twitter

Jaime Garcia (St. Louis-Hermosillo), Adam Wainwright (St. Louis), Trevor Rosenthal (St. Louis), Eric Fornataro (Sprignfield), Tyler Lyons (Memphis), and Sam Freeman (St. Louis) threw in some fashion on Thursday: STL Today

Jaime Garcia (St. Louis-Hermosillo), Jason Motte (St. Louis), and Shelby Miller (St. Louis) threw bullpen sessions on Friday.  J.R. Towles (Memphis) and Tony Cruz (Memphis-Estrellas) caught during bullpen sessions.  STL Today

Former Cardinals

Mike MacDougal (former St. Louis) will throw for interested teams: MLB Trade Rumors

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-6-13

Caribbean Series

Luis Mateo (Quad Cities-Caguas) started at shortstop and batted ninth.  1-for-4 with one RBI, one strikeout, and assisted in two double plays.

Joe Thurston (former St. Louis-Magallanes) started in left field and batted sixth.  0-for-3 with one ground into double play.

Caguas beat Magallanes 4-1
LMP Official Site Post Game

Julio Lugo (former St. Louis-Escogido) entered late in the game as a pinch hitter and batted ninth.  1-for-1 with one two-out RBI and one run.

Escogido beat Obregon 11-6
LMP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Joey Cora (former MiLB signing) is enjoying time as GM for Caguas: MLB Official Site

The LVBP will host the Caribbean Series in 2014: LMP Official Site

The LVBP may return to a playoff starting in December: Lider

Ben Badler was on hand to catch a St. Louis workout in the Dominican: Baseball America

Former trainer Enrique Soto was sentenced to ten years in prison: Baseball America

Wednesday's Games:
Escogido (4-1) visits Magallanes (2-3) @ 6:00 PM ET
Obregon (2-3) visits Caguas (2-3) @ 9:30 PM ET

World Baseball Classic 

Carlos Beltran (St. Louis) discussed Puerto Rico's chances: Primera Hora

Jurickson Profar (Texas) will not play for Netherlands: Mister Baseball

Nicaraguan Baseball Championship

Victor Duarte (former Seattle) will pitch for Rivas to rebuild his career: La Prensa

Current Cardinals

Oscar Taveras (Springfield-Aguilas), Carlos Martinez (Springfield-Aguilas), Shelby Miller (St. Louis), Trevor Rosenthal (St. Louis), and Kolten Wong (Springfield-Surprise) are ranked 1-5: St. Louis Official Site

Former Cardinals

Eddy Rivera (former DSL) returned home after failing his tryout with Chunichi: Yakyubaka

Corey Patterson (former St. Louis) signed a minors deal with New York-N: Matt Eddy Twitter

Gateway (Frontier League) re-signed Antone DeJesus (former Springfield).

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 2-5-13

Caribbean Series

Aaron Bates (former Memphis-Caguas) entered late in the game at first base and batted fourth.  0-for-1 at the plate.
Luis Mateo (Quad Cities-Caguas) started at shortstop and batted ninth.  2-for-5 with one double, one run, one strikeout, one fielding error, one throwing error, and assisted in three double plays.

Julio Lugo (former St. Louis-Escogido) started as designated hitter and batted seventh.  0-for-3 with one RBI, one sac fly, and one strikeout.

Caguas beat Escogido 6-4 in 10 innings
LMP Official Site Post Game

Joe Thurston (former St. Louis-Magallanes) started in left field and batted fourth.  1-for-4 with one strikeout.

Iker Franco (former Springfield-Obregon) started at catcher and batted eighth.  0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
Dennys Reyes (former St. Louis-Obregon) entered in the eighth and pitched to one batter.  He allowed no hits or runs, and struck one out for the hold (2). (p-s:5-3)(ir-s:2-0)

Obregon beat Magallanes 2-0
LMP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Fernando Valenzuela (former St. Louis) was inducted into the Caribbean Hall of Fame: MLB Official Site

Fernando Tatis (former St. Louis-Escogido) keeps playing: MLB Official Site

Julio Lugo (former St. Louis-Escogido) will likely retire following Caribbean Series: MLB Official Site

Zulia (Venezuela) signed 16-year old left-hander Jairo Pacheco, who just recently signed with Los Angeles: Zulia Official Site

Joe Thurston (former St. Louis-Lara/Magallanes) shows pride representing Venezuela: Lider

Manny Ramirez (Aguilas) in talks to play in Taiwan: Jon Morosi Twitter

Tuesday's Games:
Caguas (1-3) visits Magallanes (2-2) @ 6:00 PM ET
Escogido (3-1) visits Obregon (2-2) @ 9:30 PM ET

Latin American Series Championship

Jem Argenal (GCL-Chinandega) entered late in the game as designated hitter and batted eighth.  0-for-1 with one strikeout.

San Andres beat Chinandega 1-0
LAS Official Site Post Game
LNBP Official Site Scoreboard

Notes:
Colombia will host next season and Edison Renteria (Colombian League owner) is in talks with Cuba and Brazil for the 2013-14 season: El Heraldo

Yurendell de Caster (Tabasco-Chinandega) was selected as MVP of the LNBP: El Nuevo Diaro

Triple-A Mexican League

Francisco Mendez (Monterrey) has signed with Aguascalientes: MiLB Official Site

Gabriel Alfaro (Oaxaca-Magallanes) will return to Oaxaca: MiLB Official Site

Luis Arredondo (Laguna) and Hector Paez (Cuidad-Mexicali) has signed with Yucatan: MiLB Official Site

Current Cardinals

Dominican Prospect League Elite Travel Team will face St. Louis on March 12th: DPL Official Site

Chris Carpenter (St. Louis) likely to miss entire 2013 season: St. Louis Official Site and STL Today

Matt Carpenter (St. Louis) continues to work at second base with Jose Oquendo (St. Louis third base coach), Mitch Harris (2008, 13th round selection) and Trevor Rosenthal (St. Louis) threw a bullpen sessions, Audry Perez (Springfield-Aguilas) worked out with Yadier Molina (St. Louis-Carolina), Barret Browning (St. Louis) cleared waivers and will be in camp as a non-roster invitee: STL Today

Former Cardinals

Mike Hartley (former Springfield) was hired as manager for Heidenheim Heidekoepke (Germany): Mister Baseball

St. Louis may be interested in re-signing Kyle Lohse (St. Louis free agent): Joe Strauss Twitter

Los Angeles has not talked with Scott Rolen (former St. Louis): Jim Duquette Twitter

Kyle McClellan (former St. Louis) has began a throwing program: Dallas Morning News

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 1-4-12

Venezuelan League Round Robin

Joe Thurston (former St. Louis-Lara) started in left field and batted seventh.  2-for-4 with one RBI, one run, one strikeout, and one outfield assist.

Lara beat Caribes 6-1
LVBP Official Site Post Game

Victor Marte (St. Louis-Magallanes) entered in the fifth and pitched 1.1 innings.  He allowed one hit and one unearned run. (g/f:1-4)(ir-s:2-0)

Zulia beat Magallanes 3-1
LVBP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Carlos Gonzalez (Colorado) has been working out with Zulia but is not permitted to play in games: Lider

David Rosario (Retired) has been relieved of his duties as Zulia pitching coach: Lider

Friday's Games:
Lara (1-1) visits Caracas (0-1) @ 7:30 PM VST
Magallanes (1-1) visits Zulia (1-0) @ 7:30 PM VST

Mexican Pacific League Playoffs

Iker Franco (former Springfield-Obregon) started at catcher and batted seventh.  0-for-2 with one run, three walks, and one strikeout.

Mark Hamilton (former St. Louis-Guasave) started as designated hitter and batted fifth.  0-for-2 with one RBI, one walk, one sac fly, and two strikeouts.

Obregon beat Guasave 5-2 in 11 innings
LMP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Boston signed Mark Hamilton (former Memphis-Guasave) to a minor league deal: Over The Monster

No Games Scheduled For Friday

Veracruz League

Francisco Rivera (former Palm Beach-San Andres) entered late in the game in right field and batted third.  1-for-2 with one RBI, one run, and two walks.

Ivan Bellazetin (former MiLB tryout-Xalapa) started at third base and batted second.  0-for-4 with one strikeout.

San Andres beat Xalapa 13-2
LIV Official Site Post Game

Dominican League Round Robin

Hector Luna (former St. Louis-Aguilas) started at third base and batted third.  0-for-4 with one walk, one strikeout, and grounded into one double play.
Oscar Taveras (Springfield-Aguilas) started in right field and batted fifth.  1-for-4 with one RBI, one hit by pitch, and grounded into one double play.

Fernando Tatis (former St. Louis-Escogido) started at third base and batted sixth.  0-for-3 with one run and one walk.

Aguilas beat Escogido 5-2
LIDOM Official Site Post Game

Evan MacLane (former St. Louis-Estrellas) started and pitched five innings.  He allowed two hits, no runs, two walks, and struck one out. (g/f:7-5)

Jamie Romak (Springfield-Azucareeros) entered late in the game at first base and batted seventh.  0-for-2 with one strikeout.
Danilo Sanchez (former Springfield-Azucareros) entered late in the game at catcher and batted ninth.  0-for-1 at the plate.
C.J. Nitkoswki (former Memphis-Azucareros) entered in the 12th and pitched to three batters.  He allowed two hits and one earned run. for the losing decision (0-1).

Estrellas beat Azucareros 5-4 in 12 innings
LIDOM Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Octavio Dotel (former St. Louis) has joined Escogido and is expected to debut next Tuesday: Escogido Official Site

Friday's Games:
Escogido (3-3) visits Aguilas (4-2) @ 7:30 PM AST
Azucareros (4-2) visits Estrellas (1-5) @ 8:00 PM AST

Puerto Rican League Playoffs

Aaron Bates (former Memphis-Caguas) entered late in the game as a pinch hitter and took over first base, batting fourth.  0-for-1 with one hit by pitch.
Luis Mateo (Quad Cities-Caguas) started at shortstop and batted ninth.  0-for-4 with one strikeout.

Anthony Garcia (Quad Cities-Carolina) started in right field and batted fifth.  0-for-4 with one strikeout.
Felipe Lopez (former St. Louis-Carolina) started at third base and batted sixth.  0-for-4 with one strikeout.

Caguas beat Carolina 4-3

Notes:
Santurce picked up Julio DePaula (Bridgeport-La Guaira) and Jose Julio Ruiz (Fort Worth-Ponce).  Matt DeSalvo (Free Agent-Licey) turned down Estrellas, in the Dominican League, to play for Mayaguez.  Primera Hora

Friday's Games:
Carolina (0-2) visits Mayaguez (2-0) @ 7:15 PM AST
Caguas (2-0) visits Santurce (0-2) @ 8:00 PM AST

Nicaraguan League

Curt Smith (former Springfield-Chinandega) 2-for-4 with one RBI.

Chinandega beat Leon 12-10
LNBP Official Site Post Game

Notes:
Dennis Martinez (former Springfield pitching coach) talks about Roberto Clemente's influence on himself: El Nuevo Dia

Friday's Games:
Boer (21-25) visits Chinandega (24-21)
Granada (25-20) visits Leon (21-25)

Colombian League

Jolbert Cabrera (former Memphis-Cartagena) started at first base and batted fourth.  1-for-5 with one double.
Ronald Ramirez (former Palm Beach-Cartagena) started at shortstop and batted ninth.  1-for-3 with three RBIs, one run, one sac fly, and two strikeouts.

Cartagena beat Sincelejo 6-1

Friday's Games:
Monteria (17-14) visits Barranquilla (18-12)
Cartagena (16-15) visits Sincelejo (10-21)

Panama League

Rainel Rosario (Springfield-Panama) started in the outfield and batted ninth.  0-for-3 with one RBI and one error.

Herrera beat Panama 8-2

Friday's Games:
Panama (6-6) visits Chiriqui (7-5)
Herrera (7-6) visits Cocle (5-8)

Australian League

Friday's Results:
Geoff Klein (Palm Beach-Sydney) started at catcher and batted sixth.  0-for-4 with two strikeouts and one passed ball.

Sydney beat Adelaide 4-3
Sydney Official Site Post Game

C.J. Beatty (former Palm Beach-Brisbane) started at third base and batted fifth.  0-for-3 with one RBI, one sac fly, and one strikeout.

Melbourne beat Brisbane 7-3
Melbourne Official Site Post Game

Former Cardinals

New York-A is interested in Lance Berkman (former St. Louis): Ken Davidoff Twitter

Texas has made an offer to Lance Berkman (former St. Louis): Mark Berkman Twitter

St. Louis News

St. Louis plan to check out Cubans Aledmys Diaz and Dariel Alvarez.  The organization is sending Matt Adams (Memphis), Trevor Rosenthal (St. Louis), Carlos Martinez (Springfield), and Kolten Wong (Springfield) to MLB rookie orientation in Hawaii: STL Today

St. Louis announced minor league staffs: St. Louis Official Site and Centre Daily

Geoff Klein From The Australian Baseball League Blogpost #1

The St. Louis Cardinals for the first time in the re-opening of Australian Baseball League history sent two players to the down under.  Adam Melker was assigned to Perth and Geoff Klein to Sydney.  Klein has agreed to update the Redbird fans on how things are going as he plays in the winter league this offseason.

Three years ago Santa Clara University's catcher Geoff Klein was co-West Coast Conference batting champion and the following spring was named a preseason All-American.  The now 24-year old switch hitter was also selected for ballot among the nation's top catchers for the 2010 Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award and First Team All-WCC player in his final two seasons at Santa Clara.  The right-handed throwing catcher finished the 2010 season with a .346 AVG, 19 doubles, and 47 RBIs and ranked in some the top offensive categories in school history. 

In June of 2010, the St. Louis Cardinals made Klein their 15th round (469rd overall) selection in the Major League amateur draft.  He was assigned to Short-Season Single-A Batavia to begin his professional career.  He finished with a .295 AVG, 11 doubles, 12 RBIs, and 14 walks in 30 games and even had a short stint at A-Advanced Palm Beach for one game.  2011, Klein was assigned to Single-A Quad Cities where he only saw 53 games of action batting .268 with 17 doubles, four home runs, 33 RBIs, 19 walks, and 57 strikeouts.  The California-born catcher made his return to Palm Beach in 2012 where he went 87-for-353 (.246) with 17 doubles, seven home runs, 34 RBIs, 30 walks, and 93 strikeouts in 102 games.

Klein could be one of a handful of catchers that might get a call to attend major league camp this coming spring.

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Geoff Klein From The Australian Baseball League Blogpost #1

Oi Cardinal Nation! G'day from Down Under! Its Thanksgiving today back home and I'm missing out on the turkey, football, and my awesome family and friends, but as much as I miss all that I wouldn't have it any other way because being down here is a blessing. Having the opportunity to play baseball and improve my game while also getting to experience the culture of another country and meet so many amazing people in the sport is definitely shaping up to be my most exciting and productive offseason, since I was drafted in 2010.

The idea of playing winter ball came about with about 2 weeks left in the season, when Palm Beach hitting coach Jeff Albert approached me about playing in the offseason to continue working on the things I focused on this season. We agreed that more at bats with the offensive approach I worked on developing over the course of the season would help get me even more comfortable with it and roll it into next season. That approach includes being more selective at the plate-specifically swinging at pitches I can drive, not just pitches that I can make contact with. Developing this approach with Jeff this season helped me to hit for more power, driving the ball to the gaps and out of the park, even in the big yards of the Florida State League. The other part of this adjustment was a slight mechanical adjustment and a focus on driving the ball to the outfield. It did take a while to get comfortable with, as with anything mechanically there is a learning curve and it wasn't until the second half of this season that I started to get a feel for it. Even then, Jeff and I agreed that more at bats could only make it better, so here I am loving Sydney and feeling great about getting live at bats this offseason.

Having played in the Florida State League this year, I played against a lot a very talented players. Top prospects like Garrett Cole, Jameson Taillon, Jesse Biddle, Christian Yelich, and Nick Castellanos was a great look into what the next level, as well as higher levels will be like. Other flame throwers like Bruce Rondon from the Lakeland Flying Tigers, and of course our own arms-Seth Maness, Carlos Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal (last year in Quad Cities) opened my eyes as to how much talent I am exposed to on a daily basis. It seems like I played with/against guys like Rosie and Avisail Garcia weeks ago, and then they're both making their presences felt in the MLB playoffs, its crazy and exciting to see those guys on TV. 

Its similar down here playing with and against former big leaguers like Chris Oxspring, Dae Sung Koo, Virgil Vasquez, and Chris Snelling as well as other up and coming Aussies and Americans. Its fun playing with guys from other organizations and guys on the back end of their careers- just learning from their experiences and hearing their stories is awesome. Its fun playing with guys from other organizations and guys I played against this year like James Robbins from the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Working with pitchers who have big league experience (like Ox) has been great-learning what makes him go, how he likes to attack hitters and getting on the same page has been a fun chess game setting up hitters and making adjustments as well as a learning experience I can apply with other pitchers. 

Thus far this season down under has been a great experience and I'll keep checking in to let everyone back home know more about how its going! Cheers Mate.