Part three of the Cardinals Parallel League Hitters will cover the final 13 hitters for the team.
Omar Viloria (VSL) played in 27 games batting .163 (7-for-43) with a .265 OBP and .163 SLG. The 17-year old right-handed swinger had two RBIs, seven total bases, scored four runs, and walked five times. He struck out 19% (8) of the time and committed four errors. Viloria played six games at catcher, nine at first base, six as designated hitter, and five as a pinch hitter.
The first-year VSL player didn't get much playing time as he was behind players like Yorbel Alcala, Limbert Rivas, and Roberto Espinoza on the depth chart. Viloria picked up his first hit on October 23 in a pinch hit situation and drove in his first run on November 5. (Runners left in scoring position, 2-outs: 4-0, 0 RBIs)
Viloria will probably make a return to the Venezuelan Summer League in 2009 and fall in the same situation he was in during the regular and winter season, not getting ample playing time. He will have to learn different positions in order to get in the game, such as third base (one game in 2008) or the outfield.
Hayrich Martina (DSL) played in 23 games batting .139 (5-for-36) with a .162 OBP and .167 SLG. The 18-year old right-handed swinger had one double, one RBI, six total bases, and one walks. He struck out 47% (17) of the time and committed two errors. Martina played eight games as designated hitter, four at second base, four in left field, two at third base, two as a pinch hitter, and one as a pinch runner.
The second-year DSL participant was able to play in the Venezuelan Parallel League due to him being born in the Netherlands and there are no rules binding him to one or the other league (such as the Dominican Republic Parallel League). Martina picked up his first hit on October 28 and had a three-game hitting streak between December 2-10, where he went 3-for-9 (.333) with one double and one RBI. (Runners left in scoring position, 2-outs: 4-0, 0 RBIs)
I'm really not sure if Martina will end up returning to DSL for 2009 or this winter was a prelude to him making the jump to VSL. But I won't rule out the return to DSL as Alexander Castellano played last winter in the Venezuelan Parallel League then was assigned to DSL for the 2008 season. Martina still looks to be in a bench player role due to his lack of bat.
Peter Jaspe (VSL-Free Agent) played in 22 games batting .222 (8-for-36) with a .364 OBP and .333 SLG. The 18-year old switch hitter had two doubles, one triple, five RBIs, 12 total bases, scored three runs, and walked six times. He was 1-for-1 in stolen base attempts, struck out 44% (16) of the time, and committed one error. Jaspe played 13 games in left field, two in centerfield, one in right, two as a designated hitter, tow as a pinch hitter, and one as a pinch runner.
The second-year VSL player started ten games for the Cardinals this winter but was mainly a fill in guy for Jose Cortez, Cristofher Dumont, Alberto Rivero, and Anthony Fonseca. Jaspe had two multi-hit games including a 2-for-2 performance on December 9 where he doubled and drove in two runs. He picked up his first hit on October 20, which was a pinch hit double, and drove in his first run on October 27. (Runners left in scoring position, 2-outs: 7-3, 2 RBIs)
Jaspe was released after Parallel League play was done and it's not a surprise. He lost his starting job sometime between the 2007 and 2008 season, seeing a drop in various stats at the same time. He never really proved to be a good quality bat off the bench for the rookie-level club and most likely the organization needs to open up a few spots on the roster for the newcomers in 2009.
Wilson Perez (VSL-Free Agent) played in 21 games batting .171 (6-for-35) with a .216 OBP and .200 SLG. The 19-year old right-handed swinger had one double, one RBI, seven total bases, scored two runs, and walked one time. He struck out 37% (13) of the time and committed no errors. Perez played 12 games in right field, three in left, and four as a pinch hitter.
The second-year VSL participant was a back-up in the outfield to Cristofher Dumont, Anthony Fonseca, and Jose Cortez. He picked up his first hit on October 23. He had his best game on November 25, going 2-for-2 with a double and one RBI. In his last 11 at-bats, during the winter, he struck out six times. (Runners left in scoring position, 2-outs: 1-0, 0 RBIs)
Perez was another casualty in the shuffle for an outfield job after Parallel League. He missed a lot of time during the 2008 season, for unknown reasons, but came on strong at the end. During the winter season he just couldn't put anything together, watching all his stats take a hit, and lost his job. Having solid outfielders like Anthony Fonseca and Jose Cortez made him expendable.
Gerwuins Velazco (July 2nd Signing) played in 19 games batting .219 (7-for-32) with a .324 OBP and .250 SLG. The 17-year old right-handed swinger had one double, one RBI, eight total bases, and walked five times. He struck out 16% (5) of the time and committed no errors. Velazco played six games at catcher, four at first base, four as designated hitter, and four as pinch hitter.
The newly signed prospect played back-up to Limbert Rivas, Yorbel Alcala, Roberto Espinoza, and Roberto Perez during the winter season. He collected his first hit on October 30, which was a double. Velazco had two multi-hit games including a 2-for-3 performance on December 2 where he drove in his first and only RBI. He did get a chance to start six games. (Runners left in scoring position, 2-outs: 3-0, 0 RBIs)
Velazco could end up following in the same footsteps as Omar Viloria and Jesus Montero during the 2009 Venezuelan Summer League, playing time at catcher, designated hitter, and first base. He sits behind Yorbel Alcala and Limbert Rivas on the depth chart behind the plate.
Kaizer Inojoza (VSL) played in 24 games batting .069 (2-for-29) with a .243 OBP and .069 SLG. The 18-year old right-handed swinger had one RBI, two total bases, scored three runs, and walked four times. He was 2-for-3 in stolen base attempts, struck out 41% (12) of the time, and committed no errors. Inojoza played nine games in left field, four as a pinch runner, four as a pinch hitter, three in centerfield, two in right, and one at first base.
The first-year VSL player only made six starts and basically came off the bench all winter long, much like during the 2008 regular season. Inojoza didn't pick up his first hit until November 15 and drove in his only run on December 2. (Runners left in scoring position, 2-outs: 3-0, 0 RBIs)
Inojoza's 2009 season will most likely be spent in the Venezuelan Summer League. I have a feeling he'll be picking up the bulk of the at-bats left behind by recently released players Wilson Perez and Peter Jaspe. He's only played one year, so there's still plenty of time to make a name for himself and earn more playing time.
Ely Jimenez (VSL Academy Tryout) played in 13 games batting .115 (3-for-26) with a .233 OBP and .154 SLG. The left-handed swinger had one double, four total bases, scored three runs, and walked three times. He was caught stealing on both attempts, struck out 42% (11) of the time, and committed two errors. Jimenez played nine games in left field, three in right, and one at third base.
Jimenez joined the club in November and played through until the first week of December before being let go. In his second game he connected for his first hit, going 1-for-3 with one double, two runs, one walk, and two strikeouts. He started eight games and had a great opportunity to catch an eye, unlike some of the others listed above. (Runners left in scoring position, 2-outs: 1-0, 0 RBIs)
Jorman Vasquez (VSL Academy Tryout) played in ten games batting .280 (7-for-25) with a .333 OBP and .320 SLG. The right-handed swinger had one double, eight total bases, scored one run, and walked twice. He was caught stealing in his only attempt, struck out 28% (7) of the time, and committed five errors. Vasquez played six game sat third base, three as designated hitter, and one at first base.
Vasquez joined the club in November and played through until the first week of December, like Ely Jimenez. He had two multi-hit games including a 2-for-3 performance and legging out his first and only double of the winter season. Vasquez had a five-game hitting streak that ran from November15-30, where he went 6-for-11 (.545). (Runners left in scoring position, 2-outs: 3-0, 0 RBIs)
It was a little surprising to not see him sign on the dotted line with the organization, but there must of been more there that I did not get to see with my own eyes (other than the errors). And even if Vasquez was signed, he would be a third string at third base behind Hector Garcia and utility infielder Carlos Yeques.
Moises Marquez (VSL) played in 25 games batting .160 (4-for-25) with a .344 OBP and .280 SLG. The 18-year old right-handed swinger had three doubles, four RBIs, seven total bases, scored one run, and walked six times. He was caught stealing in his only attempt, struck out 52% (13) of the time, and committed no errors. Marquez played 12 games at second base, six as a pinch hitter, four as designated hitter, one in centerfield, right field, and at shortstop.
The first-year VSL participant only started four games during the winter season, basically playing a bench role for the Cardinals. Marquez picked up his first hit on October 30, going 1-for-1 with a double and two RBIs. Then on November 12 he had an identical game to that. He collected his third double on December 12. (Runners left in scoring positon, 2-outs: 6-2, 4 RBIs)
Marquez could be looking at some more playing time as VSL depending on if the St. Louis Cardinals do promote Gerardo Mannbel. But he is also gonna have to fight it out with such players as Osmir Medina, Ildemaro Vargas, and Cesar Valera already on the roster.
Carlos Yequez (VSL) went 2-for-4 with one double, one RBI, three total bases, two runs, one walk, one stolen base, and struck out twice. The 18-year old right-handed swinger had a .600 OBP and .750 SLG, playing his games on October 18 (third base) and October 20 (designated hitter).
Eduardo Lopez (VSL Academy Tryout) went 2-for-4 with one double, three total bases, and one strikeout. The right-handed swinger had a .500 OBP and .750 SLG, playing his games on October 29 (right field) and October 30 (centerfield).
Romulo Ruiz (GCL) played in game one of a doubleheader on November 12 going 0-for-3 with one strikeout as the Cardinals' designated hitter. This was Ruiz's first appearance in a year after missing the entire 2008 season with an injury.
Luis Campos (VSL Academy Tryout) played on November 1, splitting time between right and left field. The left-handed swinger went 0-for-1 with one walk (.500 OBP) and one strikeout.
J. Campos (VSL Academy Tryout) played on December 4, as a substitution in left field. The right-handed swinger went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts. He's listed as a right-handed pitcher on the Cardinals' roster. Not sure if this is the same player that was signed after Parallel League was up or not, Vicente Campos.
Part One Of The Hitters
Part Two Of The Hitters
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