Royals Winter League weekly recap

There are two new Kansas City Royals players participating in winter ball, as two more leagues began play this past week.

One of them came in the Puerto Rican League, which began its winter ball season on Thursday. Infielder Jack Lopez has started both of Santurce’s games (2-0). He played second base in both. So far, Lopez is 3-for-7 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Now to the Dominican Winter League.

The other new Royals winter ball player is outfielder Carlos Peguero. He made his winter league debut on Sunday as the DH for Gigantes (8-4 and in second place). Batting cleanup, he went 0-for-2 with three walks and two strikeouts. Peguero was pinch run for in the eighth.

Gigantes regular three-hole hitter is outfielder Moises Sierra. Last week, he went 4-for-22 with a double, two walks, four runs scored, and four RBIs. Sierra did strike out seven times.

Lefty reliever Scott Alexander put up some really good numbers last week for Gigantes. He pitched in four games and did not allow a run. Over 4.2 innings, he allowed three hits and two walks and struck out five. He also won two games to improve to 3-0 and picked up a hold on Sunday. Alexander entered the October 29th game in the second with the bases loaded and left them stranded. On Halloween, he entered in the sixth with a runner and left him stranded.

Before Liam Hendriks was traded back to Toronto, he made his first start in winter ball for Aguilas (6-6). He picked up the win, as he allowed just two hits over five scoreless innings. Hendriks struck out seven and induced six ground outs (to zero fly outs).

Sugar Ray Marimon also made one start last week for Aguilas (October 30th). He allowed three runs on six hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out three. Marimon allowed a three-run home run in the first to Juan Francisco.

Infielder Angel Franco has not seen a lot of playing time so far for Aguilas, but he did make three straight starts at second base to end the week (batting eighth and ninth). Franco went 3-for-11 with three RBIs and two strikeouts. He led off the 3rd inning on Halloween with a solo homer (his first of the winter ball season).

First baseman Matt Fields played in four games last week for Estrellas (7-6). He went 2-for-15 with seven strikeouts. Orlando Calixte has not seen a lot of playing time for Estrellas, but did make one start last week. On October 28th, he started at shortstop and batted second (0-for-4 with a run scored). On Sunday, he entered at third base in the eighth (and committed a throwing error). Calixte went 0-for-1 with a strikeout.

*Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio did not play last week for last place Licey (4-9).

Finally to the Venezuelan Winter League.

Paulo Orlando continues to play center field every day for Lara (6-15). He went 8-for-23 with seven RBIs. Orlando also hit three home runs (two on October 31st and a two run shot on Sunday).

Second baseman Carlos Garcia played in three games last week for Margarita (8-14). He started two games while batting ninth (0-for-7). Garcia also pinch-hit on October 29th and walked in the 7th inning.

Buddy Baumann made one start last week for La Guaira (6-15). On October 30th, he allowed a run on four hits over 5.2 innings. Baumann struck out four in his best VWL start so far.

J.C. Sulbaran also made one start for La Guaira. On November 1st, he dropped to 0-4 on the VWL season. Sulbaran allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out three and induced seven ground outs (compared to two fly outs). He also threw a wild pitch.

*Yender Caramo did not pitch last week for Magallanes (8-11).

**The Royals do not currently have a player in the Australian Baseball League, which started play over the weekend.