Royals winter league weekly recap

It’s that time again, time for another Kansas City Royals winter league weekly recap.

Let’s start in the Puerto Rican League, where there are two Royals minor leaguers participating in winter ball.

Second baseman Jack Lopez continues to play every day for first place Santurce (7-4). He has now moved into the leadoff spot. Last week, Lopez went 7-for-23 with two doubles and two RBIs. He did strike out five times.

I missed left-hander Christian Flecha in the previous week. He pitched in 11 games this past season for rookie level Burlington. Flecha is pitching for last place San Juan (3-9). He made one appearance (November 10th) and allowed three runs on one hit and two walks in just 1/3 of an inning.

Moving on to Venezuela, where Paulo Orlando has secured the third spot in the Lara (13-20) order while playing centerfield. He went 6-for-20 with five walks and five runs scored. Orlando also hit two doubles and stole a base. He did strike out five times.

Second baseman Carlos Garcia played in three games last week for last place La Guaira (9-22). He went 3-for-8 with two runs scored. On Sunday, Garcia entered on defense at second base with two outs in the fifth.

Lefty Buddy Baumann is back pitching for La Guaira. He made an appearance on Sunday after not pitching since his start on October 30th. Baumann walked one and struck out one in the fifth.

*Neither J.C. Sulbaran (La Guaira) or Yender Caramo (14-15 Magallanes) pitched last week.

Finally to the Dominican Republic.

The 12-12 Gigantes continue to change their lineup daily, meaning outfielders Carlos Peguero and Moises Sierra have moved about the order. Peguero batted third and fourth last week. He also played left and right field, while DHing on Sunday. Peguero went 5-for-20 with eight strikeouts. He did walk five times and score seven runs.

Sierra batted second, fifth, sixth, and seventh last week. He also played center and right field. Sierra went 10-for-23 with a double, a triple, and a two-run home run. He drove in six and scored two runs.

First baseman Matt Fields played in six games last week for Estrellas (12-10). He went 5-for-22 while batting fifth or sixth in the order. Fields hit three home runs (two in November 10th’s game) last week and drove in four runs. He walked three times, but struck out 11 times.

Catcher Francisco Pena played in five games last week for first place Aguilas (14-9). He went 3-for-17, including a pinch-hit single in the 8th inning on November 12th. Pena homered, but also struck out five times.

Free agent second baseman Angel Franco got into four games last week for Aguilas. He pinch ran on Saturday in the 12th inning and stayed in the game for defense. On Sunday, he grounded out as a pinch-hitter in the 8th inning and went in to play second base. In his two starts, Franco batted 9th and went 3-for-8 with a run scored and an RBI.

Lefty Scott Alexander had not pitched since November 7th, but was back on the mound on November 13th for Aguilas. He then pitched three times. In those three relief outings this past week, he allowed four runs on three hits and two walks over three innings. He did strike out two. Alexander got the blown save on November 14th, as he entered with two men on base and allowed both to score. He also allowed a two out, two-run home run in the seventh. On Sunday, he pitched the eighth and started the ninth. Alexander left with a runner on base, which came around to score.

*Neither Orlando Calixte (Estrellas) or Jorge Bonifacio (10-14 Licey) played last week.