Royals winter league weekly recap

Another week has gone by and two more KC Royals players have joined the winter league ranks.

Let’s start in Venezuela, where infielder Johnny Giavotella has begun playing for La Guaira (13-24). He began play on Saturday as the third baseman (where he batted eighth). He played third base and batted second on Sunday. In those two games, Gio went 2-for-8 with two runs scored.

Lefty Buddy Baumann is back pitching for La Guaira and is pitching just about every day out of their bullpen. In three appearances last week, he allowed two runs on four hits and two walks over 3.2 innings. On Tuesday, he walked the only batter he faced in the sixth. His best outing came on Thursday, when he allowed a run (after he was pulled in the sixth), but pitched 3.1 innings. Baumann’s worst outing came on Sunday, when he entered with the bases loaded in the fifth, allowed all three runs to score, along with his own run.

Centerfielder Paulo Orlando has upped his batting average to .324 while batting third for Lara (17-22). In six games last week, he went 10-for-23 with five RBIs and four runs scored. Orlando hit a solo home run in the ninth on Sunday.

Carlos Garcia played in two games for last place Margarita (12-26). He pinch-hit on Tuesday (a ground out) and started at second base on Saturday. In that game, Garcia went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored.

Moving on to Puerto Rico, where Jack Lopez was the lone Royal to see action last week.

For 8-8 Santurce, Lopez went 4-for-20 in five games. He walked three times and scored three runs.

Finally to the Dominican Republic, where the most Royals are playing winter ball.

Right-hander Miguel Almonte (after pitching fairly well in the Arizona Fall League) made his winter ball debut on Saturday for Gigantes (15-13). In the start, he allowed one run on three hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out five and induced seven ground outs (to two fly outs).

Almonte has the luxury of two Royals in his outfield. Carlos Peguero played mostly left field last week, but also saw time in right field and as the DH. He went 3-for-11 with two doubles, five walks, and three runs scored. Peguero did strike out four times while mainly batting fourth.

Moises Sierra played right field all week for Gigantes. He went 3-for-12 with four, two out RBIs. One of those came on a solo home run. Sierra did strike out four times.

Aguilas (16-13) has two Royals on its team. Francisco Pena caught five games last week. He did commit a throwing error on November 21st (his second in the DWL) and had a passed ball last Monday. Pena went 3-for-19 with seven strikeouts. He did hit one double and scored two runs.

Second baseman Angel Franco played in three games last week for Aguilas. He went 4-for-8 with an RBI and two strikeouts.

*It seems as though first baseman Matt Fields is no longer playing for Estrellas. Over the past week, their new first baseman is veteran Jake Fox. Lefty Scott Alexander did not pitch last week for Gigantes.

I will be on vacation beginning on Black Friday, so there will not be a winter league recap from me until December 15th.