Royals winter league weekly recap

Another week has gone by, so it is time for another KC Royals Winter League Weekly Recap. Rain has been a problem throughout the Caribbean Leagues, with many games being postponed.

Let’s start in Puerto Rico, where second baseman Jack Lopez is the lone Royal playing in the PRL. Lopez is playing every day for Santurce (3-2). He went 2-for-9 with two doubles and two runs scored.

To Venezuela, where there were just two Royals in action last week. Carlos Garcia saw action in two games for Margarita (8-19). He pinch-hit in the seventh and grounded out on November 6th. He stayed in the game to play second base. Garcia started on Sunday, going 1-for-4 with two RBIs.

Paulo Orlando has moved up to the third spot in Lara’s order (10-17). He went 8-for-22. Orlando scored five runs and drove in three with two doubles.

*Neither J.C. Sulbaran or Buddy Baumann pitched last week for La Guaira (7-19 and in last place).

Finally, to the Dominican Republic.

First place Gigantes (11-7) continues to play well with three Royals on their roster, two of which play just about every day. Moises Sierra continues to bat second now and is playing centerfield. Last week, he went 1-for-16 with three walks, two runs scored, and six strikeouts. He also had an outfield assist.

Carlos Peguero continues to bat behind Sierra in the order (while playing right field). Last week was a big week for Peguero. He went 9-for-21 with five home runs. He hit two each on November 7th and 9th. His solo shot in the bottom of the ninth on Sunday was the walk off winner. Peguero also walked five times and struck out ten times. He did drive in six runs. He even had an outfield assist.

A week after pitching in almost every game, lefty reliever Scott Alexander only pitched twice for Gigantes. On November 3rd, he faced one batter and struck out LA Dodgers prospect Joc Pederson in the 8th inning with one runner on base and nobody out. On November 7th, Alexander started the 8th inning and also struck out the only batter he faced.

Angel Franco entered late in games for Aguilas (10-7) last week. He entered on defense at second base on November 6th and then went 1-for-1 with a run scored. The following day, he pinch ran. Franco entered on defense on November 8th at second base in the eighth.

Meanwhile, Francisco Pena has been catching every day for Aguilas (even catching his brother a few times). He went 2-for-13. Pena did hit a two out, three-run home run off John Lannan on Sunday. He also walked three times and scored three times. He even stole a base.

Sugar Ray Marimon made one start last week for Aguilas (with Pena catching). On November 6th, he allowed one run on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out six. The lone run came via a Wilson Betemit solo homer in the fourth.

First baseman Matt Fields played in three games last week for Estrellas (8-8). He went 3-for-9 with two walks, two RBIs, and four strikeouts.

*Orlando Calixte did not play last week for Estrellas.