Royals winter ball weekly recap

The KC Royals contingent grew larger in this third week of winter ball. However, it also shrunk in Mexico.

Utility man Whit Merrifield was inactivated from Culiacan with a left wrist injury. He was struggling offensively, so maybe this is the reason why. He was also playing shortstop everyday, a position he has not played alot of.

In Venezuela, centerfielder Paulo Orlando continues to move throughout the Lara (2-13) lineup. He batted fifth, sixth, and seventh over the last week. In five games, Orlando went 3-for-16 with an RBI, three walks, and six strikeouts.

La Guaira (6-9) has three Royals representatives (I missed Cruz Guevara in the previous week, but he did not pitch this past week).

J.C. Sulbaran made one start and dropped to 0-3 in the VWL. On Sunday, he allowed three runs on two hits over four innings. He struck out three. Sulbaran allowed a three-run home run in the fourth.

Buddy Baumann also made one start for La Guaira (October 24th). He allowed a run on five hits and a walk over three-plus innings. He struck out two. Baumann allowed a single and a walk in the 4th inning before being pulled.

Carlos Garcia (a player I missed in the previous week) has gotten little playing time for Margarita (5-11). He pinch-hit in the ninth on October 24th and flied out.

*Yender Caramo did not pitch last week for Magallanes (5-8).

Now to the Dominican Republic, where the Royals added two more players to the DWL.

The first is outfielder Moises Sierra, who the Royals claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Friday. Sierra is playing for Gigantes (5-1 and in first place). In two games since becoming a Royal, he went 4-for-10 with a double and three RBIs.

Scott Alexander is also a member of Gigantes. He made three appearances last week. The lefty had an up-and-down week. His first outing on October 20th, he allowed a run on a walk over one inning of work. He entered in the 8th inning with the bases loaded and left them stranded (but his run scored in the ninth after he was pulled).

Alexander then walked two on October 22nd when he started the 5th inning. In his final appearance (October 25th), he stranded two runners in the fifth (2/3IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 0K).

The other Royal to debut was Sugar Ray Marimon, who made one start this week for Aguilas (5-2 and in second place). On October 22nd, Marimon allowed three hits over four innings. He struck out three. He also induced four ground outs to three fly outs.

Marimon has a familiar face on Aguilas. Infielder Angel Franco entered on defense in the first two games of the week. He came in to play shortstop in the first game and second base in the second.

Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio was only seen once last week for Licey (1-7 and in last place). He pinch-hit in the ninth on October 22nd (he struck out).

Matt Fields continues to play first base and bat sixth for Estrellas (4-3). In four games last week, he went 5-for-15 with a double and his first home run of the DWL season. Fields also drove in three runs and scored two runs, but struck out six times.

Shortstop Orlando Calixte made two pinch-hit appearances for Estrellas. On October 22nd, he had a sac fly in the ninth. On October 25, he grounded into a double play in the eighth.

*Stay tuned next Monday for another winter ball recap!