As the Winter League playoffs heat up, several Cubs prospects’ bats cool down, while Marwin Gonzalez kept hitting. Relief pitchers stay in control, while starters struggle.
All this and more in this week’s Down on the Farm report … Dominican Winter League
The DWL playoffs actually began on December 21, with Licey and Aguilas eliminated and the remaining four teams playing in a round-robin format.
Escogido
Starlin Castro finished regular season play with a .317 average. However, he has been ice cold in the playoffs. He ended the week going 1-for-23 with one RBI in six games. Castro has also struggled with his defense and will need to report to Fitch Park with more focus than he’s displayed over the last few weeks.
Luke Sommer continues to look good as a situational left-hander, pitching 1.2 innings in three appearances. He did yield his first two earned runs in a 5-4 loss to Gigantes on January 8.
Brad Snyder has joined the Lions for the playoffs after posting a .267 average with one home run for the Licey Tigers during the regular season. He completed the week going 3-for-19. He hit a home run in a 9-6 loss to Estrellas on January 5. Luke Sommer took the loss in the game. Click here for complete box score
Estrellas
Polin Trinidad and Marcos Mateo combined for 1.2 innings pitched and two strikeouts in a 2-1 win over Escogido on January 2. Marcos Mateo earned a hold in the victory. Click here for complete box score
Marcos Mateo bounced back the next day and pitched one inning with a strikeout in the Stars 3-0 victory over Escogido. Click here for complete box score
Toros
Outfielder Nelson Perez struck out as a pinch hitter on January 7 in the Bulls’ 7-5 loss to Gigantes.
Venezuelan Winter League
The VWL ended regular season play on December 30, with Zulia winning a tie-breaker with Caracas for the regular season championship. Caribes, Aragua, and Margarita qualified, along with Caracas and Zulia, for the playoffs.
Caracas
After posting a .324 average with two home runs and 38 RBI during the regular season, Marwin Gonzalez has slumped slightly in the playoffs. He ended the week hitting 4-for-16 with five RBI. His best game was on January 5 in a 14-4 shellacking of Zulia.
In that game, Marwin Gonzalez went 3-for-5 with a walk, a triple, and four RBI. Click here for complete box score
On January 7, Marwin Gonzalez doubled in three plate appearances in a 3-2 loss to Aragua. Click here for complete box score
Caribes
Eduardo Figueroa figured prominently in two wins for the Indians this past week. On January 3, he pitched one inning, with a strikeout and a hold in a 6-2 over Margarita. Click here for complete box score
Eduardo Figueroa would be credited with the win after pitching 0.1 inning in a 5-4 win against Aragua on January 6. Click here for complete box score
Mexican Pacific League
The MPL began the playoffs on January 1 with Guasave, the first half winner, and Culiacan, with the best record overall. Hermosillo, Mochis and Obregon also qualified.
Obregon
After compiling a 4-4 record with a 4.07 ERA during the regular season for the Yaquis, Marco Carrillo pitched 0.2 innings with one earned run, a walk, a strikeout, and a home run allowed a wild 17-10 loss to Hermosillo on January 2.
Australian Baseball League
The ABL has continued its regular season play.
Brisbane
Ryan Searle had a rough outing for the Bandits on January 6. He pitched three innings with three earned runs and three walks. He also had three strikeouts as Brisbane pulled out a 7-6 victory over the Canberra Cavalry. Click here for complete box score