Brewers playing winterball

The winter leagues taking place in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela.  The leagues are littered with current Brewers prospects along with my favorite, random Brewers.   The two biggest changes to the Brewers lineup for the 2010 season are Carlos Gomez in centerfield and Alcides Escobar at shortstop.  How these two young players will adjust will have a significant impact on the Brewers next season.  So far so good, as Gomez is batting .330 in 20 games with a .429 OBP for the Leones del Escogido of the Dominican League.  While in Venezuela, Alcides Escobar batting .391 with a .433 OBP with 14K/10BB, 12 SB in 34 games 128 at-bats.  Hernan Iribarren .313 avg in 45 games 166 at-bats for the Cardenales de Lara.  A pair of 3B prospects are struggling for the Leones del Caracas, Mat Gamel is hitting .200 in 6 games 20 at-bats and Adam Heether is batting .214 in 21 games.  RBI baseball legend Tony Armas is the Leones hitting coach.  I’d be pumped to have Tony Armas as my hitting coach.  Other Brewers prospects are affiliated with teams, but haven’t played.  Also there’s a number of former Random Brewers still going after it.        

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano the season runs 10/16/09-12/21/09
Gigantes del Cibao
Erick Almonte SS played Triple-A Nashville last season. .326 avg this winter.

Rafael Lluberes RP pitched at Single-A Brevard County in 2009. 36.00 ERA in 6 appearances

Wily Peralta RP spent 2009 with Class-A Wisconsin in starting and relief. Listed on roster, no stats.

Amaury Rivas SP Brevard County went 13-7 and is one of top pitching prospects in Brewers system. Listed on roster, no stats.

Claudio Vargas Aguilas Cibaenas 1-0 in 3 games in 5.1 innings

Greg Aquino RP Estrellas de Oriente 2007 with Brewers working in middle relief.

Kevin Barker 1B Aguilas Cibaenas 3rd pick of Brewers in 1996 appeared in 78 games between 1999-2000. Played for Reds in 2009.  Teammate John Halama was recently signed by Brewers

Jose Capellan RP played with Brewers from 2004-2007.  Acquired for Dan Kolb in a deal with the Braves and shipped out to Detroit in 2007 due to conflict with team.

Brady Clark OF Estrellas de Oriente Brewers OF 2003-2006 season.

Enriuqe Cruz IF played for Brewers in 2003 and rode pine behind Royce Clayton and his .228 avg.

Tigres de Licey
Ronnie Belliard INF 1998-2002 played for Brewers. Never panned out as the second baseman of the future.

Jose Mercedes SP pitched for Brewers from 1994-1998. Led the league in losses in 2001 with 17 as a member of the Orioles.

Toros del Este
Rigoberto Almonte RP pitched between Wisconsin and Brevard County in 2009. Listed on roster, no stats.

Angel Salome C played at Triple-A Nashville in 2009. considered one of top prospects in the Brewers system.  Listed on roster, no stats.

Puerto Rico Season began on 11/12/09
Leones de Ponce
Raul Casanova C  played for Brewers 2000-2002

Charlie Fermaint CF now with Washington

Lou Palmisano C former Brewers prospect

Efrain Nieves P Lobos de Arecibo spent 2009 at Wisconsin.

Bill Pulsipher SP 1998-1999 spent with Brewers

Alex Sanchez OF Tomateros de Culiacan played for Brewers 2001-2003 and was traded to the Tigers.  Played a lot like Wesley Snipes character Willie Mays Hayes in Major League.  Had skill set of a leadoff hitter, just didn’t utilize his strengths.  Manager is Nick Leyva former Brewers 3B coach under Ned Yost.
 
Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional season began 10/9/09

Aguilas del Zulia
Brendan Katin OF hit 24 HR and drove in 92 Triple-A Nashville in 2009. Batting .246 with .373 OBP this winter.

Bravos de Margarito
Henry Blanco C played for Brewers 2000-2001.

Tigres de Aragua
Ruben Quevedo SP pitched for Brewers 2001-2003

Tags: Alcides Escobar, Brewers, Carlos Gomez, Mat Gamel, RBI Baseball, Tony Armas