Article: Twins Winter League Update

[Seth Stohs]

Each week, we provide an update from the Twins minor leaguers who are playing in the Arizona Fall League.

 

While it may or more not be weekly, we will also occasionally provide an update on Twins players in the various Winter Leagues. There are Caribbean Leagues in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto Rico. We'll also keep you updated on the Australian Baseball League as well.

 

Here is a quick update on how some Twins players have fared in the early going.The Twins help players get opportunities in these winter leagues. Early in the season, you will see some of the younger players get some opportunity. As the season moves along, you'll start seeing more veteran types play as they prepare for the playoffs as well as their spring trainings.

 

Some US players head down to these leagues for some extra at-bats or some additional innings. Sometimes a player will spend as little as two weeks with a team. Others will decide to stick around for a while. But especially in the Caribbean Leagues, winning matters. If a player isn't playing well, especially an American, they will be released and sent home.

 

VENEZUELA

 

The Venezuelan Winter League got started a couple of weeks ago already. Here are the Twins players who have spent time there so far.

 

Luis Arraez had a terrific season in Cedar Rapids this year. He went home and has been playing for Navegantes del Magallanes. He is hitting .279/.311/.372 (.683) with two doubles and a triple in 43 at bats.

 

Victor Tademo is a 17-year-old who hit .311/.388/.429 (.817) with 16 doubles, a triple and a home run this year in the Dominican Summer League. He also stole 21 bases in 25 attempts. He's an example of a young guy who will get a little bit of time but will also have the opportunity to watch and work with veterans. He is just 1-3 so far, also for Navegantes del Magallanes.

 

Heiker Meneses split his season between Rochester and Chattanooga. Unfortunately, he also spent nearly half of the season on the disabled list. He is playing for Tiburones de La Guairra. He is hitting .303/.361/.515 (.876) with two doubles, a triple and a homer in 33 at-bats so far.

 

Jairo Rodriguez is catching for Tigres de Aragua. He is hitting .240/.241/.240 (.481) in just 25 at bats so far.

 

Reynaldo Rodriguez already has 57 at-bats this winter for Aguilas de Zulia. He is hitting .333/.333/.561 (.895) with two doubles, a triple and three home runs so far.

 

Wilfredo Tovar was the Red Wings shortstop throughout the 2016 season. For Leones del Caracas, he is hitting .389/.441/.481 (.922) with five doubles in 54 at-bats.

 

I wrote earlier this week that Niko Goodrum has re-signed with the Twins for 2017. He would have become a minor league free agent following the World Series, but he will stay with the Twins (unless he's selected in the Rule 5 draft). He is playing for Caribes de Anzoategui. In 54 at-bats, he is hitting .278/.333/.389 (.722) with four doubles and a triple.

 

While the hitters are spread around the league, there are currently three Twins pitchers in Venezuela and all of them are playing for Bravos de Margarita. This is where you need to consider small sample size.

 

Omar Bencomo, who will be a free agent after the World Series, has pitched 14.1 innings over three starts. He has a 1.88 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP. He has one walk and eight strikeouts.

 

Ryan O'Rourke has pitched a total of two innings over five appearances. He has given up six earned runs on four hits and two walks.

 

Nick Greenwood has made one start and went three innings. He gave up five runs on six hits and two walks.

 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

 

The Dominican Winter League began its schedule with a game on Thursday and the rest of the schedule began on Friday night.

 

Catcher Carlos Paulino has played two games already and is 1-7 for Gigantes del Cibao.

 

Daniel Palka is playing for Leones del Escogido. On Friday night, he went 1-4. It was a single. Also on the roster is former Twins outfielder Lew Ford.

 

Confesor Lara is playing for Estrellas de Oriente. He signed late in the year and pitched for Ft. Myers.

 

On Friday, Darren Wolfson tweeted the following:

 

 

Ruiz gave up three runs on five hits and a walk over the first 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

 

PUERTO RICO

 

The Puerto Rico Winter League begins next weekend. The Twins have several players from the island in the organization. Many of them choose to play in the Winter League.

 

 

AUSTRALIA

 

The Australian Baseball League will begin November 17.

 

 

We'll check back from time to time, maybe it'll even be weekly if the readers would like that.

 

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about the players or the leagues.

 

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[goulik]

Is Tovar signed with the Twins next year or is he a free agent? I assume free agent but you did not say that despite stating Bencomo was to be a free agent and refreshing us on Goodrum. I guess that question could be a whole new MiLB thread...

[goulik]

Ok, I'm answering my own question after looking up Jeremy's Roster and Payroll page:

Tovar, Meneses, Reynaldo and Jairo Rodriguez, Paulino and Greenwood are all minor league free agents after the World Series if they do not re-sign or are not on the 40 man roster and I doubt any are placed on the 40 man.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is Tovar signed with the Twins next year or is he a free agent? I assume free agent but you did not say that despite stating Bencomo was to be a free agent and refreshing us on Goodrum. I guess that question could be a whole new MiLB thread...

 

He'll be a free agent, unless they sign him.