It’s time again to start baseball’s second season as the Arizona Fall League is underway with strong performances by Stephen Perakslis and James Farris. They have also been playing in Venezuela, with Bryant Flete dominating the action. The Mexican Pacific League also got started this week, marking the return of Christian Villanueva.
So once again, join us in the world of the Tiburones, Criollos, Estrellas, and those Yaquis as Down on the Farm Report ventures to the Caribbean.
Arizona Fall League
Opening Day on Tuesday was quiet for Cubs’ prospects, as Mesa dropped an 11-2 game to Surprise. Ian Happ was the designated hitter and finished the day 0-for-4.
Wednesday was supposed to be a showcase for Cubs’ pitching, but things did not turn out well as the Solar Sox lost 7-1 to Glendale. Duane Underwood Jr. started and allowed four earned runs in 2.2 innings while striking out three batters. Stephen Perakslis relieved and also had three strikeouts in 1.1 scoreless innings. James Farris came on in the seventh and fanned two in a perfect inning, but Ryan McNeil surrendered two earned runs in the ninth.
Ian Happ started at second base and went 1-for-3 with a double, while catcher Victor Caratini went 0-for-3.
Eloy Jimenez hit cleanup, played right field and went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Mesa was able to get into the win column on Thursday as the Solar Sox beat Salt River 7-5. Eloy Jimenez was the only Cubs representative on the Solar Sox, going 0-for-4 with a walk in the contest.
Mexican Pacific League
Yaquis de Obregon
Obregon opened their season on Wednesday with 3-2 loss to Hermosillo. Christian Villanueva batted fourth as the designated hitter and was 2-for-4 in the loss.
Venezuelan Winter League
Aguilas de Zulia
Zulia got off to a good start of the season on Thursday, Oct. 6 with an 11-4 victory over Anzoategui. Bryant Flete started at second base and went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in the win.
On Friday, the Aguilas were able to outlast Anzoategui in a slugfest 12-11. Moving to left field, Bryant Flete had a big night. Flete was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and four RBI.
Saturday saw the Eagles flex their muscles again in thumping La Guaira 16-3. Splitting time between left field and second base, Bryant Flete was 2-for-5 with a stolen base and two runs scored.
Remaining unbeaten, Zulia used a big first inning to stave off La Guaira 6-4 on Sunday. Playing second base, Bryant Flete extended his hitting streak to four games as he went 1-for-5 with a run scored in the win.
The hot start for Aguilas continued on Monday as a run in the top of the ninth edged Magallanes 3-2. Bryant Flete now has a five game hit streak as he played left field and went 1-for-4 with a run scored.
It was an evening for streaks to end on Wednesday as the Eagles lost to Magallanes 3-2. Starting at second base, Bryant Flete went 0-for-3 in the loss.
Thursday saw Zulia back to their winning ways as they defeated Magallanes 4-3. Remaining at second base, Bryant Flete was 2-for-2 with two walks, a stolen base and a run scored.
Cardenales de Lara
It was a rough afternoon for Lara on Sunday as they lost 9-1 to Aragua. Yapson Gomez saw his first action as he gave up a hit to the only batter he faced.
Caribes de Anzoategui
It was a big night for Anzoategui on Thursday, as they trounced Lara 12-1. Signed away from the St. Louis Cardinals organization, catcher Jose Godoy went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run score in the victory.
Navegantes del Magallanes
Traditional powerhouse Magallanes took it on the chin in the Thursday, Oct. 6 opener, losing to Margarita 9-2. Greyfer Eregua came on in the fourth inning and had two strikeouts in two perfect innings. But Gerardo Concepcion had a more difficult time, allowing four runs (three earned) in 0.1 innings to suffer the loss.
Navegantes finally got into the win column on Saturday was they handled Aragua 6-1. Gerardo Concepcion bounced back from his poor opening day performance, working around two hits with a strikeout as he pitched a scoreless inning.
Sunday made it two in a row for the Navigators as they survive a late five-run rally to beat Margarita 6-5. Greyfer Eregua came on in the sixth and had three strikeouts in two scoreless innings.
The win streak ended Monday as Magallanes lost 3-2 to red hot Zulia. Gerardo Concepcion seems to be settling in as he had a strikeout in two perfect innings.
The Navs were not able to get past Zulia on Thursday, losing 4-3. Gerardo Concepcion entered the game in the sixth inning and fanned three in two scoreless innings.
Tigres de Aragua
Evening their record on Friday, Aragua got into the win column with a 5-1 victory over Margarita. Gioskar Amaya lined up at DH and was 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, an RBI and a run scored.
Saturday saw the Tigres struggle again as they lost 6-1 to Magallanes. Starting at first base, Gioskar Amaya was 3-for-4 with a double and scored Aragua’s only run.
The Tigers were able to bounce back on Sunday in beating Lara 9-1. Gioskar Amaya split time at second and first base as he was 2-for-5 with a double, a run scored and two RBI.
A pitcher’s duel on Monday gave Aragua a 1-0 victory over Lara. Gioskar Amaya continued to hit well as he went 2-for-4 while playing second base. Armando Rivero came on in the eighth inning and worked around a walk and a hit for a scoreless frame.
Back in action on Wednesday, the Tigres were unable to hold off Margarita, losing 3-1. Stationed at second base was Gioskar Amaya, who went 1-for-4 with an RBI.
A late rally on Thursday could not help the Big Cats overcome a four-run deficit as they lost to Margarita 7-5. Gioskar Amaya was at second for his fourth straight game and went 2-fior-4 with a double and an RBI.