CARIBBEAN SERIES SCOUTING REPORT: Puerto Rico

CAGUAS CRIOLLOS
LOCATION: Caguas, Puerto Rico
LEAGUE: Puerto Rico Baseball League
FIRST SEASON: 1938
PENNANTS: 15 (1941, 1948, 1950, 1954, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1968, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1987, 2001, 2011.
CS TITLES: 3 (1954, 1974, 1987)
2010-11 RECORD: 31-16 (11-9 playoffs)
MANAGER: Carmelo Martinez
TOP HITTERS: Edgardo Baez (.279/3HR/24RBI), Luis Figueroa (.361/2HR/25R), Greg Porter (.336/2HR/17RBI), Javier Valentin (.283/3HR/15RBI), Alex Cora (.270/0HR/19R)
TOP PITCHERS: Sho Iwasaki (8-1/3.19/40K), Shota Oba (4-0/2.39/22K), Luis Cruz (3-2/2.93/18SO), Erik Arneson (3-2/2.35/15SO), Saul Rivera (0-1/0.42/15SV)
CS SCHEDULE: WED 2/2 7:30pm vs. Anzoategui, THU 2/3 7:30pm vs. Obregon, FRI 2/4 7:30pm vs. Este, SAT 2/5 7:30pm vs. Anzoategui; SUN 2/6 7:30pm vs. Obregon, MON 2/7 7:30pm vs. Este

HERMOSILLO STUNS CARIBBEAN SERIES HOST CARACAS TWICE

Although the Mexican Pacific League champion Hermosillo Naranjeros were mathematically eliminated from contention for the Caribbean Series title on February 6, the Orangemen did gain a measure of satisfaction by defeating the host Caracas Leones twice in four days at Isla Margarita, Venezuela.

The Naranjeros opened their CS schedule with a resounding 7-2 win over Caracas on February 2. Starter Pablo Ortega combined with three relievers to scatter two runs on seven hits, but it was a four-run fourth inning outburst that put the game in the hip pocket for the Mexicans. Consecutive doubles by Chris Roberson, Nelson Teilon and Vinny Castilla (pictured) helped put the score at 5-0 and the Naranjeros never looked back.

Hermosillo’s opening win was followed by two losses. The Naranjeros were clubbed by Dominican champion Escogido, 7-1, on February 3 as Leones starter Nelson Figueroa allowed just three hits, including a solo homer by Carlos Valencia in the eighth inning. Then Puerto Rico’s Mayaguez Indios scored three runs in the first inning en route to a 5-3 win over Hermosillo on February 4. Roberson had a single and double, but the Naranjeros just couldn’t put a comeback together. Roberson led Hermosillo batters with a .333 average.

The Orangemen then took a game from the Venezuelans once more on February 5, winning 3-2 in ten innings as Castilla singled home Heber Gomez with the deciding run in the bottom of the frame. Karim Garcia collected two hits, including a solo homer.

Hermosillo was officially knocked out of contention February 6 with a 7-2 loss to Escogido. Leones starter Heath Phillips, who has pitched in the Mex Pac, turned in seven strong innings and let in two runs on three hits with seven strikeouts. Luis Alfonso Garcia crashed a two-run homer in the first, but Phillips shut down the Naranjeros from that point on.

The Naranjeros dropped their final CS game on February 7, losing to Mayaguez, 8-2, as Jesus Feliciano and Angel Sanchez each went 3-for-4 and Armando Rios had two doubles with three RBIs for the Indios. Luis Cruz hit a two-run homer for Hermosillo.

ESCOGIDO WINS CS TITLE, INDIOS’ FELICIANO TOP BATTER

Escogido scored four runs in the first inning on February 7 and went on to beat Caracas by a 7-4 count to clinch the Caribbean Series title in the final game of the six-day tournament. It was the third CS title for the Leones, and the first in 20 winters. Escogido won five of their six games, only dropping a 7-3 decision to Mayaguez on February 5.

The Indios finished second with a 4-2 record despite a .307 team batting average that was 62 points higher than the .245 average Escogido put up. The Puerto Rican pitchers combined for a CS-best .187 ERA, too, but Escogido’s starters were consistently more effective over the Series. Hermosillo finished third at 2-4, while host Caracas brought up the rear with a 1-5 record.

Mayaguez’ Jesus Feliciano (pictured) easily won the Series batting title, going 13-for-27 at the plate for a .481 average. Escogido’s Kevin Barker and Fernando Martinez each hit two homers, while Feliciano and Dominican Juan Francisco both had five RBIs.

Among pitchers, Escogido’s Raul Valdes won both starts despite a 4.09 ERA, and led the CS with 13 strikeouts in 11 innings. Mario Santiago of Mayaguez had the top ERA with a 0.75 mark over 12 innings, while Escogido’s Dario Veras led relievers with three saves.

2010 CARIBBEAN SERIES RESULTS

TUESDAY, February 2
Escogido (DR) 2, Mayaguez (PR) 1
Kevin Barker’s HR in the bottom of the 6th ended up as the game winner. P Mario Santiago let in 2 runs in 7 IP for Mayaguez.

HERMOSILLO (MX) 7, Caracas (VZ) 2
Vinny Castilla doubled, homered and scored 3 runs for Naranjeros as Caracas starter Guillermo Moscoso lasted just 3.2 innings.


WEDNESDAY, February 3
Escogido (DR) 7, HERMOSILLO (MX) 1
Willis Otanez’ 2-run 2B and Fernando Martinez’ solo HR keyed 4-run 1st for Dominicans. Carlos Valencia hit HR for Mexicans.

Caracas (VZ) 5, Mayaguez (PR) 2
Raul Padron crushed a 2-run HR and cracked an RBI single to lead the Leones. Mayaguez SS Angel Sanchez went 3-for-4.


THURSDAY, February 4
Mayaguez (PR) 5, HERMOSILLO (MX) 3
Michael Hernandez’ 2-run HR in 6th inning put game away for Indios. Hermosillo scored 2 runs on 3 Mayaguez errors in 4th.

Escogido (DR) 3, Caracas (VZ) 2
Freddy Guzman broke 2-2 tie by stealing home in 7th for Escogido. Oscar Salazar belted a 2-run HR for Caracas.


FRIDAY, February 5
Mayaguez (PR) 7, Escogido (DR) 3
Danny Valencia singled and doubled for the Indios, driving in 3 runs. Juan Francisco had 2 hits and 2 RBIs for Escogido.

HERMOSILLO (MX) 3, Caracas (VZ) 2 (10)
Vinny Castilla’s single in the 10th inning drove in Heber Gomez with the game-winner. Michael Ryan hit HR for Caracas.


SATURDAY, February 6
Escogido (DR) 7, HERMOSILLO (MX) 2
Juan Francisco, Kevin Barker and Fernando Martinez all homered for Leones. Luis Alfonso Garcia hit 2-run HR for Hermosillo.

Mayaguez (PR) 7, Caracas (VZ) 1
Jesus Feliciano cracks a 2-run HR in a 3-run 5th inning for Indios. Jackson Melian scores lone Caracas run on sacrifice fly in 5th.


SUNDAY, February 7
Mayaguez (PR) 8, HERMOSILLO (MX) 2
Jesus Feliciano and Angel Sanchez each had 3 hits and Armando Rios had 3 RBIs for Indios. Luis Cruz hit 2-run HR for Hermosillo.

Escogido (DR) 7, Caracas (VZ) 4
Raul Valdes combined with 4 relievers on 3-hitter for Escogido. Cesar Quintero hit 3-run HR for Caracas.

FINAL STANDINGS
Escogido (DR) 5-1, Mayaguez (PR) 4-2, HERMOSILLO (MX) 2-4, Caracas (VZ) 1-5

REST OF CARIBBEAN SERIES FIELD SET

The other three leagues sending teams to the Caribbean Series have also concluded their respective playoffs, rounding out the field playing this week in Isla Margarita, Venezuela.

The Dominican League was the first to crown a champion, as the Escogido Leones topped the Cibao Gigantes, 5-3, last Thursday in Game Nine at Estadio Julian Javier in San Francisco de Macoris. Francisco Liriano (pictured) won his third postseason game by pitching five innings of one-hit shutout ball for Escogido.

Two more champions were crowned Friday night. The Caracas Leones topped Magallenes, 7-2, to take the seventh and deciding game of the Venezuelan Series as Carlos Maldonado was 4-for-5 at the plate with a double and two RBIs. Gregor Blanco added a solo homer to back up Caracas starter Jason Standridge, who let in one run in six innings.

Also, the Mayaguez Indios had to go eleven innings Friday before finally vanquishing the Caguas Criollos, 8-6, to win the Puerto Rican League Championship Series in five games. Angel Sanchez had four hits with a run and two RBIs for Mayaguez while Edwards Guzman knocked in a pair of runs as the Indios clinched their first trip to the CS since 2005.

OTHER CARIBBEAN LEAGUES IN PLAYOFF HOME STRETCH

The Dominican and Venezuelan leagues are in the midst their respective championship series while the Puerto Rican League will wrap up its semifinals this weekend.

The Escogido Leones defeated the Cibao Gigantes, 3-2, on January 21 to pull into a 2-2 tie in the Dominican Series. Joaquin Arias cracked a two-run homer in the third inning for Escogido, who is managed by former St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Ken Oberkfell. Cibao starter Victor Zambrano was racked for seven hits and three runs in just 2.2 innings.

In the Venezuelan Series, Alex Escobar was 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs to lead Magallenes to a 12-10 victory over Caracas on January 22, giving the Navegantes a 2-0 lead in the best of 7 series. Josh Kroeger had three hits, including a solo homer, for the Leones.

Mayaguez and Arecibo are tied at three games apiece in their Puerto Rican League semifinal series after Arecibo swept a rare playoff doubleheader January 22. Carolina leads Caguas in the other set, 3 games to 2. The two semi winners will battle for the title this week.

ARECIBO TAKES FIRST PLACE HEADING INTO PUERTO RICO PLAYOFFS

The Arecibo Lobos have won the Puerto Rico Baseball League regular season championship. The Lobos finished at 25-14, four games ahead of 21-20 Carolina. Caguas was a half-game behind the Gigantes at 20-20, while Mayaguez snuck into the playoffs despite an 18-24 record because defending champion Ponce ended the winter at 15-27. The playoffs were slated to begin January 16 with Arecibo meeting Mayaguez and Carolina battling Caguas.

Arecibo will be led in the postseason by outfielder Michel Abreu and pitcher Lavale Speigner. Abreu led Puerto Rico batters with 12 homers and 42 RBIs, while Speigner topped league hurlers with seven wins and a 2.03 ERA. Carolina’s Armando Rios won the batting title with a .367 average. Caguas pitcher Orlando Roman was first on the table with 42 strikeouts.

A special draft of players on the Ponce roster among the four playoff teams was scheduled for Friday. Pitcher Juan Padilla, who went 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA for the Leones this season, was expected to draw the most interest.

TIGHT RACES IN OTHER THREE CARIBBEAN LOOPS

Magallenes, Escogido and Arecibo are all on top of the standings in the Venezuelan, Dominican and Puerto Rican Leagues, respectively, but it hasn’t been easy for any of them.

Magallenes has a 34-18 record to hold a one-game advantage over 33-19 Caracas in the Venezuelan League. Zulia is in third place at 27-25. Lara shortstop Alcedes Escobar leads the league with a .403 batting average, while Margarita pitcher Carlos Monasterios has the most wins with 7 victories in 9 decisions.

Escogido leads the Dominican League at 26-17, but 2008 Caribbean Series champion Licey and the Este Toros are right behind at 25-18. Ex-big leaguer Timo Perez (pictured) leads the LiDom with a .352 batting average for Licey. Perez hit .323 for Veracruz in the Mexican League in 2009. Another MLB vet, Cibaenas’ John Halama, is 4-1 and a league-best 2.45 ERA.

In Puerto Rico, 12-8 Arecibo barely leads 11-8 Carolina in the tables. Carolina catcher Orlando Mercado, Jr. is hitting .429 in 14 games to lead the league, but the best offensive performer has been Arecibo’s Michel Abreu, who tops the circuit with 7 homers and 24 RBIs along with a .343 average. Ponce’s Juan Padilla is 4-0 with a 2.63 ERA in 8 games (2 starts).

CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP: Puerto Rico League opens this weekend

The Puerto Rico Baseball League began its winterball season Thursday night, and a familiar face is hoping to play for one of its five teams. First baseman Carlos Delgado (pictured), who is a free agent after spending the past four seasons with the New York Mets, says he’d like to play in Puerto Rico to show major league teams his May hip surgery was a success. The 37-year-old Delgado is a career .280 hitter in the majors with 473 homers and 1.512 RBIs.

Elsewhere in the Caribbean, Caracas and Magallenes are tied on top of the Venezuelan League standings with 21-7 records. Josh Thole of Caracas leads the league in batting with a .419 average, while Margarita’s Carlos Monasterios is 5-0 with a 2.45 ERA.

The Este Toros lead a tight Dominican League race with a 13-8 mark. Oriente’s Robinzon Diaz is the top batter with a .397 average. Among Dominican pitchers, lefty Evan MacLane of Oriente is 4-0 with a 1.80 ERA over five starts.

DOMINICAN, VENEZUELAN WINTER SEASONS UNDERWAY

While the Mexican Pacific League is entering the third week of winterball action, two of the other three Caribbean Series circuits have also begun regular season play.
The Caracas Leones and Magallenes Navegantes are battling for the early lead in the Venezuelan League standings. Caracas is 13-4 for a one-game lead over Magallenes. Well-travelled minor league veteran Selwyn Langainge leads batters with a .424 average. Among pitchers, Margarita’s Carlos Monasterios is 3-0 with an 0.64 ERA.
In the Dominican League, the Escogido Leones are 7-3 and hold a one-game lead over the Licey Tigres and Este Toros, who are both 6-4. Victor Mercedes of Este leads Dominican batters with a .412 average, while pitcher Tobi Stoner of Escogido is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA.
The Puerto Rico Baseball League has not begun play. Opening day in the six-team league is scheduled for November 12.