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Dominican Summer League Cardinals Notebook 8-25-14

Will Changarotty

The Dominican Summer League Cardinals extended their wining streak to three games to open the week but lost their final two games.  The club finished the 2014 season with a 22-48 record, .314 PCT, and 28.5 games out of first place.  The team did stay ahead of the Reds Two for ninth place in the Boca Chica South Division.

Week In Review:

The Cardinals opened their final week with a two-game series against the Mets One.  The Redbirds and Mets exchanfged runs over the first six innings for a 2-2 tie.  Will Changarotty was solid striking out seven and allowing seven hits and two runs over the first six innings.  Andy De La Cruz struggled giving up three runs and the lead to the Mets in the seventh.  Luis Flores tagged a three-run homer to top off a four-run ninth inning by the Cardinals.  Jose Lara came in and collected his third consecutive save and the Redbirds held on to win 6-5.

The Mets One visited the Cardinals in the second game.  The Mets struck first plating a run in the second and third for the 2-0 lead.  David Oca settled down to toss six innings allowing seven hits and two runs.  The Redbirds came back to tie the game up in the bottom of the seventh at three.  Esteban Vallejo kept the Mets in check with two scoreless innings and Wadye Infante hit a solo home run in the bottom of the tenth to lead the Cardinals to a 4-3 victory over the Mets One.

The Nationals and Cardinals began a two-game set on Wednesday and had to finish off the first game on Thursday, due to weather.  The Redbirds probably wish this game was cancelled as they were only able to get two base runners on, via walks.  Pitching was the strong for the Cardinals as Franyel Casadilla, Angel Estevez, and Rigobert Urena combined for the nine innings allowing four hits, one run, two walks, and struck five out.  Unfortunately the Nationals were stronger as the no-hit the Cardinals 1-0.

The Cardinals visited the Nationals in the second game of the series.  The two teams exchanged runs in the first and the Nationals took over after with one in the second and two in the fifth.  Sandy Alcantara pitched a complete game of six innings and struck out seven but earned all four runs.  Wadye Ynfante and Ignacio Chevalier provided the offense with two doubles and one single.  The Nationals held on two win 4-1 over the Cardinals.

The final two games between the Cardinals and Mariners were cancelled due to rain.


Who's Hot:

Wadye Ynfante collects three multi-hit games in the last four and pushed his batting average to .200.  The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 7-for-15 (.467) with one home run, two RBIs, two runs, one walk, one strikeout, and one caught stealing/pickoff.  He played four games in left field.  The 2014 free agent signing finished the season tied for third in home runs and second in triples, on the team, and owned third place in walks and stolen bases.

Dionenrys Pena connected for four hits in one game, on August 18th.  The 19-year old right-handed hitter went 5-for-9 (.556) with one RBI, three runs, and four strikeouts.  He played two games at catcher (threw out one of three base runners and committed one throwing error, and one as designated hitter.

David Oca stayed solid in his final start of the season.  The 19-year old left-hander hurled on August 19th, tossing six innings, allowing seven hits, two earned runs, hit one batter, struck two out, and picked two runners off.  He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 8-to-4.  In his last four starts, the December 10, 2012 free agent signing gave up 17 hits, three earned runs, four walks, and struck out 24 over 24.1 innings (1.12 ERA).

Will Changarotty saved his best for last, throwing his best performance of the season.  The 18-year old right-hander started on August 18th, allowing seven hits, two runs (one earned), threw one wild pitch, and struck out seven.  He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 4-to-4.  The July 24, 2012 free agent signing was able to drop his ERA below 5.00 while striking out 45 and walking 22 over 52.1 innings.

Franyel Casadilla did not give up an earned run in his final five appearances.  The 17-year old right-hander made his tandem start on August 20th pitching four and a third scoreless innings allowing three hits, committing one pickoff error, striking out three, and picking off one runner.  He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 5-to-1.  Over his the last five games, the November 5, 2013 free agent signing logged 12 innings giving up nine hits, three unearned runs, one walk, and striking out 13.

Who's Not:

Dennis Ortega went hit less in his last two games and only connected for a hit in four of his last ten.  The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 0-for-7 (.000) with two strikeouts.  He played two games at catcher, throwing out two of four base runners.

Hector Linares went hit less in his last four games and connected for a hit in two of his last ten.  The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 0-for-14 (.000) with one run and five strikeouts.  He played one game at shortstop (committing one throwing error) and three as designated hitter.

Joaquin De La Cruz ended his season on a five-game hit less streak.  The 18-year old right-handed hitter went 0-for-3 (.000) with one strikeout.  He played one game at first base.  The June 5, 2013 free agent signing was only able to connect for a hit in four of his last 24 games played.

Oscar Cotes did not collect a hit in his final eight games played.  The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 0-for-8 (.000) with one walk and three strikeouts.  He played one game at third base and two at shortstop (assisted in three double plays).  The 2014 free agent signing connected for a hit in just three of his final 27 games played.

Sandy Alcantara had the remainder of his season offset after his injury mid-July.  The 18-year old right-hander started on August 21st, allowing five hits, four earned runs, one walk, hit two batters, and struck out seven for the losing decision (1-9).  He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 10-1.  From July 18th on, the July 2, 2013 free agent signing logged 28.2 innings giving up 30 hits, 21 runs (18 earned), one home run, 12 walks, and struck 27 out (5.75 ERA).

Notes:

Estarlin Arias (elbow), Frendy Gavin (hernia), Dariel Gomez, Sergio Ripoll (shoulder), and Jeikel Feliz (background check) all missed the entire season.

Irving Wilson (right knee) has been out since June 11th, Dylan Melendez (shoulder) since June 17th, Andres Luna (bicep) since July 17th, Carlos Luis since July 23rd, Henry Alvarado since August 8th, and Luis Bandes (ankle) since August 14th.

Oneiver Diaz had not pitched since August 11th, Juan Alvarez and Junior Fernandez since August 15th, and Derian Gonzalez, Junior Gonzalez, and Enrique Perez since August 16th.  Due to a rain-shortened schedule they all missed out of final appearances.

Erick Hurtado (former MiLB signing) made 15 relief appearances for the Blue Jays posting a 3-3 record, 2.87 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and two saves.  He allowed 37 hits, 19 runs (12 earned), 20 walks, hit three batters, and struck 37 out over 37.2 innings.

Virgilio Encarnacion (former DSL Cardinal) made 13 relief appearances for the Orioles One posting a 1-1 record, 1.91 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and three saves.  He allowed 31 hits, nine runs (seven earned), nine walks, hit two batters, and struck out 23 over 33 innings.

Dominican Summer League Stats (League Ranking - 36 Teams):

The team had gone 498-for-2361 (.211 -35th) with 77 doubles (32nd), 16 triples (35th), 24 home runs (7th), 186 RBIs (36th), 679 total bases (29th), 249 runs (35th), 201 walks (35th), 75 stolen bases (29th), 704 strikeouts (worst), 43 caught stealing (9th), .281 OBP (36th), .288 SLG (32nd), and .568 OPS (36th).

The club had a 22-48 record with a 3.54 ERA (19th), 1.39 WHIP (t-20th), one shutout (33rd), nine holds (28th), and 13 saves (t-25th).  They allowed 635 hits (7th worst), 338 runs (17th worst), 246 earned runs (17th worst), 15 home runs (14th best), 234 walks (t-8th best), hit 49 batters (8th best), and struck out 494 (8th worst) over 625.1 innings.

Luis Bandes tied for seventh in home runs.
Jonathan Rivera tied for seventh in home runs, tied for 15th in RBIs, tied for 18th in total bases, and tied for 11th in strikeouts.
Carlos Talavera tied for fourth in strikeouts.
Hector Linares tied for 15th in strikeouts.
Sandy Alcantara is first in losses.
Jose Lara tied for 8th in saves.
Junior Gonzalez tied for 18th in hits allowed.
David Oca tied for 14th in strikeouts.

2014 DSL Cardinals Notebooks:

June 9th - Will Changarotty, Franyel Casadilla, Allen Cordoba, Hector Linares, and Jonathan Rivera.
June 16th - Sandy Alcantara, Luis Bandes, Allen Cordoba, Dylan Melendez, and Carlos Talavera.
June 23rd - Luis Bandes, Luis Flores, David Oca, Jonathan Rivera, and Carlos Rodriguez.
June 30th - Sandy Alcantara, Andy De Le Cruz, Derian Gonzalez, Junior Gonzalez, and Jonathan Rivera.
July 7th - Sandy Alcantara, Allen Cordoba, Joaquin De La Cruz, Luis Flores, and Junior Gonzalez.
July 14th - Luis Bandes, Franyel Casadilla, Derian Gonzalez, Carlos Rodriguez, and Esteban Vallejo.
July 21st - Henry Alvarado, Andy De La Cruz, Oneiver Diaz, Angel Estevez, and David Oca.
July 28th - Sandy Alcantara, Allen Cordoba, Angel Estevez, Junior Fernandez, and Jonathan Rivera.
August 4th - Allen Cordoba, Andy De La Cruz, Angel Estevez, David Oca, Jonathan Rivera, and Wadye Ynfante.
August 11th - Will Changarotty, Derian Gonzalez, David Oca, Dennis Ortega, and Jonathan Rivera.
August 18th - Kerrion Bennett, Junior Fernandez, David Oca, Jonathan Rivera, Rigobert Urena, and Wadye Ynfante

DSL: Nationals Beat Cardinals 4-1 In Game Two Of Doubleheader: Wadye Ynfante Singles & Doubles; Ignacio Chevalier Doubles; Allen Cordoba & Luis Flores Each Walk

Individual Highlights:
Wadye Ynfante 2-for-3 with one double and one run.
Allen Cordoba 0-for-1 with one walk, oene sacrifice, and one strikeout.
Luis Flores 0-for-2 with one walk, one strikeout, and assisted in two double plays.
Ignacio Chevalier 1-for-2 with one double, one strikeout, and one fielding error.
Sandy Alcantara started and pitched six innings.  He allowed five hits, four earned runs, one walk, hit two batters, threw three wild pitches, and struck seven out for the losing decision (1-9).  (g/f:10-1)

Rough Outing:
Rest Of The Team

Boxscore

DSL: Rockies Beat Cardinals 7-0: Kerrion Bennett Pitches One Hitless/Scoreless Inning; Luis Flores Doubles; Jonathan Rivera Singles

Individual Highlights:
Luis Flores 1-for-4 with one double.
Jonathan Rivera 1-or-3 at the plate.
Kerrion Bennett entered in the ninth and pitched one inning.  He allowed no hits or runs.  (g/f:2-0)

Rough Outing:
Rest Of The Team

Boxscore

DSL: Cardinals Beat Giants 3-1: Dennis Ortega Collects Two Singles & One RBI; David Oca Strikes Out Two & Allows One Run Over Six Innings For The Win; Rigobert Urena Strikes Out One Over Two Scoreless Innings

Individual Highlights:
Luis Flores 1-for-4 with one double, one run, one walk, one strikeout, and assisted in one double play.
Wadye Ynfante 1-for-3 with one double, one run, and two strikeouts.
Allen Cordoba 1-for-3 with one RBI, one run, and one sac fly.
Jonathan Rivera 1-for-3 with one double, one RBI, one sac fly, and one outfield assist.
Dennis Ortega 2-for-4 with one two-out RBI.
Hector Linares 1-for-2 with two walks, one stolen base, one fielding error, and assisted in one double play.
David Oca started and pitched six innings.  He allowed five hits, one unearned run, one walk, threw one wild pitch, and struck two out for the winning decision (3-3).  (g/f:8-5)
Rigobert Urena entered in the seventh and pitched two innings.  He allowed one hit, no runs, and struck one out for the hold (1).  (g/f:1-3)
Jose Lara entered in the ninth and pitched one inning.  He allowed one hit, no runs, and one walk. (g/f:2-1)

Rough Outing:
Carlos Talavera 0-fro-3 with one walk.
Ignacio Chevalier 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and one passed ball.

Boxscore
Dominican Summer League Official Site Post Game

DSL: Mariners Beat Cardinals 7-4: Jonathan Rivera Triples & Drives In One Run; Henry Alvarado Singles & Knocks In One Run; Franyal Casadilla Strikes Out One Over One Hitless/Scoreless Inning

Individual Highlights:
Allen Cordoba 1-for-3 with one run and one walk.
Jonathan Rivera 1-for-4 with one triple, one two-out RBI, one run, and two strikeouts.
Henry Alvarado 1-for-4 with one two-out RBI and one strikeout.
Franyel Casadilla entered in the seventh and pitched one inning.  He allowed no hits or runs, one walk, threw one wild pitch, and struck one out.  (g/f:1-1)

Rough Outing:
Wadye Ynfante 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and one fielding error.
Ignacio Chevalier 0-for-3 with one strikeout and allowed three stolen bases.
Carlos Rodriguez 0-for-2 with one walk and two strikeouts.
Luis Flores 0-for-3, one fielding error, and assisted in one double play.
Derian Gonzalez started and pitched 4.1 innings.  He allowed five hits, four runs (three earned), three walks, threw two wild pitches, and struck five out.  (g/f:4-2)
Esteban Vallejo entered in the fifth and pitched 1.2 innings.  He allowed no hits or runs, and struck three out.  (g/f:0-2)(ir-s:3-1)

Boxscore

Dominican Summer League Cardinals Notebook 7-28-14

Junior Fernandez (Baseball America)

The Dominican Summer Cardinals are currently on their worst stretch run of the season, losing their last seven games. The club is 15-33 with a .313 PCT, 20 games out of first place, and five from being eliminated from postseason play.  The Redbirds have managed to fall into last place in the Boca Chica South Division.

Week In Review:

The Cardinals hosted the Giants for the first game of a two-game set following the All-Star break.  Oneiver Diaz and Will Changarotty split the game pitching four innings each and combining for ten hits, three runs, three walks, and five strikeouts.  Enrique Perez finished things off pitching a scoreless frame. The Giants' pitching was a little bit better holding the Redbirds to only two runs.  Allen Cordoba singled, doubles, and drove in one run while Carlos Talavera added two singles of his own. The offense was silent for the Cardinals as the Giants won 3-2.

In the second game, the Giants welcomed in the Cardinals.  The Giants pounded on the Redbirds pitching clubbing their first two pitchers for ten runs in four innings. Wadye Ynfante was the only batter for the Cardinals two reach base more than twice with three walks and the team did not collect an extra base hit in six.  The Redbirds did take advantage of a couple errors and wild pitches but still fell to the Giants 11-7.  This game tied a season-high for 11 runs allowed, coming on June 30th.

The Cardinals stayed out on the road to face the Rockies for what would be the longest game of the season for them.  The Redbirds struck first with two runs in the first and stellar pitching by Angel Estevez kept the Rockies off the board for the first four frames.  The Cardinals padded their lead with three runs in the seventh, making it 5-1.  Errors by the Redbirds would allow the Rockies to climb right back in and tie the contest up and send it into extras.  Six scoreless frames later, the Cardinals were able to plate two runs and take a hopeful game this week. The Rockies, again , took advantage of Redbird mistakes to score three runs and claim the game 8-7 in the 15th inning.

The Rockies visited the Cardinals in the second game of the two-game series.  Sandy Alcantara returned to his dominant self and tossed six innings allowing three hits, two runs, and striking out five.  Jonathan Rivera helped with the lead as he collected two doubles and drove in one run.  The Redbirds held a 4-2 lead heading into the eighth and their bullpen went south.  The Rockies tacked on four runs in the top half of the eight and held on for 6-5 victory over the Cardinals.

The Cardinals hosted the Yankees One club in the fifth game and another nail biter for this period. Junior Fernandez has his best showing of the season pitching six innings and allowing two hits, one run, and striking out two.  The Yankees pitching held the Redbirds to four hits and five walks.  Luis Flores doubled for the Cardinals only extra base hit and Dennis Ortega reached base three times on a single and two walks.  The Yankees went on to win 2-0 over the Redbirds.

In the final game for this period, the Cardinals went out on the road to take on the Yankees.  The Yanks clubbed the Redbirds' pitching including All-Star Derian Gonzalez, who was knocked out after four innings and tagged for five hits and four earned runs. The Yankees scored four in the second and added on another five runs over the next six frames.  The Cardinals three pitchers each coughed up a home run and the offense was silent at the plate.  Jonathan Rivera triples and Oscar Cotes doubled, but the runs were generated by Luis Flores and Henry Alvarado.  The Yankees topped the Cardinals 9-2.


Who's Hot:

Jonathan Rivera hit safely in five consecutive game including two multi-hit games. The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 8-for-28 (.286) with two doubles, one triple, three RBIs, one run, and seven strikeouts. He played five games in right field (one outfield assist) and split one in center and left field.  The November 5, 2013 free agent signee leads the team in hits, doubles, RBIs, and total bases.

Allen Cordoba had a four-game hitting streak in six games and collected two multi-hit games. The 18-year old right-handed hitter went 7-for-22 (.318) with one double, four RBIs (one w/two-outs), five runs, one sac fly, five strikeouts, grounded into one double play, and one caught stealing/pickoff.  He played five games at shortstop, committing one missed catch error, one fielding error, and assisting in one double play. The April 12, 2013 free agent signee is tied for the team lead in runs scored.

Sandy Alcantara bounced back from dealing with an injury the last couple weeks.  The 18-year old right-hander started on July 24th allowing three hits, two runs (one earned), hit one batter, threw one wild pitch, committed one fielding error, and struck five out. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 10-to-2.

Angel Estevez turned things around from his previous two starts during the season.  The 17-year old right-hander made his start on July 23rd, going five innings and allowing four hits, one earned run, one walk, and striking out one. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 8-to-2.  The 2014 free agent signee has dropped his ERA as a starter to 6.75.

Junior Fernandez after struggling through three appearances, finally put up a quality start.  The 17-year old right-handed returned to the rotation on July 25th pitching six innings and allowing two hits, one earned run, threw one wild pitch, and struck two out. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 10-to-6 and earned the losing decision (0-3).


Who's Not:

Carlos Talavera has not picked up a hit in five straight games and has struck out at least once in six consecutive.  The 17-year old switch-hitter went 2-for-21 (.095) with two runs, two walks, one stolen base, and seven strikeouts.  He played five games in center field, committing one missed catch error and one outfield assist.  The July 2, 2013 leads the team in runs scored (tied), triples, walks, strikeouts, and stolen bases.

Oscar Cotes ended his two-game hitless streak but has only two hits in his last 28 at-bats.  The 17-year old right-handed hitter went 2-for-19 (.105) with one double, two runs, one hit by pitch, and 12 strikeouts.  He played three games at third base (three throwing errors and assisted in one double play), two at shortstop, and one as a pinch runner.

Wadye Ynfante will look to end his four-game hitless streak and extend his two-game on base streak.  The 16-year old right-handed hitter went 0-for-9 (.000) with one run, five walks, one sacrifice, and seven strikeouts.  He played one game at second base and three in left field.

David Oca was knocked out quickly in his shortest outing of the year.  The 19-year old left-hander was hit hard in his start on July 22nd as he coughed up five hits, six runs (four earned), threw one wild pitch, and struck one out one inning. He had a ground out-to-fly ratio of 3-to-0 and earned the loss (2-3).

Juan Alvarez had his consecutive scoreless appearances snapped at three.  The 17-year old right-hander mad e his first relief appearance on July 22nd allowing four hits, four earned runs, three walks, threw one wild pitch, and struck two out.  In his second game, on July 26th, he gave up three hits, one earned run, one home run, one walk, and struck three out.  He had a ground out-to-fly ratio of 7-to-3 and kept his only inherited runner on base.


Notes:

Luis Bandes (ankle) has not played since July 16th and Andres Luna (bicep) since July 17th.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed 20-year old Dominican catcher Ignacio Chevalier and assigned him to the Dominican Summer League. He played last season with the New York Yankees One club going 2-for-22 (.091) with two total bases, five runs, three walks, seven strikeouts, .286 OBP, .091 SLG, and .377 OPS.  In his first game, the right-handed hitting catcher collected one hit in three at-bats and struck out.  Here is a video of him posted on Vimeo.


Dominican Summer League Stats (League Ranking - 36 Teams):

The team has gone 364-for-1634 (.223 - 29th) with 58 doubles, nine triples, 18 home runs (t-7th), 133 RBIs, 494 total bases, 178 runs, 149 walks, 57 stolen bases (most in the league), 487 strikeouts, 29 caught stealing, .296 OBP (36th), .302 SLG (28th), and .598 OPS (32nd).

The club has a 15-33 with a 3.85 ERA (22nd), 1.42 WHIP (21st), one shutout, eight holds, and ten saves. They have allowed 440 hits (5th worst), 247 runs, 183 earned runs, 12 home runs, 165 walks (8th best), hit 12 batters (7th best), and struck 324 out (4th worst) over 427.1 innings.

Luis Bandes is tied for first in home runs.
Jonathan Rivera is tied for tenth in home runs.
Carlos Talavera is tied fifth in strikeouts.
Sandy Alcantara is tied for fifth in losses.


Up Next (2014 Record)(Cardinals Team Vs. Opponent):

July 28: @ Mets One (25-23)(2-2)
July 29: Mets One
July 30: Nationals (25-23)(1-3)
July 31: @ Nationals
August 1: @ Mariners (19-29)(0-4)
August 2: Mariners
August 3: Off Day


Past 2014 Notebooks:
June 9, 2014 - Will Changarotty, Franyel Casadilla, Allen Cordoba, Hector Linares, and Jonathan Rivera
June 16, 2014 - Sandy Alcantara, Luis Bandes, Allen Cordoba, Dylan Melendez, and Carlos Talavera
June 23, 2014 - Luis Bandes, Luis Flores, David Oca, Jonathan Rivera, and Carlos Rodriguez
June 30, 2104 - Sandy Alcantara, Andy De La Cruz, Derian Gonzalez, Junior Gonzalez, and Jonathan Rivera
July 7, 2014 - Sandy Alcantara, Allen Cordoba, Joaquin De La Cruz, Luis Flores, and Junior Gonzalez
July 14, 2014 - Luis Bandes, Franyel Casadilla, Derian Gonzalez, Carlos Rodriguez, and Esteban Vallejo
July 21, 2014 - Henry Alvarado, Andy De La Cruz, Oneiver Diaz, Angel Estevez, and David Oca,

DSL: Yankees One Beat Cardinals 9-2: Luis Flores Singles & Drives In One Run; Henry Alvarado Knocks In One Run; Jonathan Rivera Triples

Individual Highlights:
Luis Flores 1-for-4 with one RBI and two strikeouts.
Jonathan Rivera 1-for-4 with one triple, one run, and one strikeout.
Henry Alvarado 0-for-4 with one RBI and one strikeout.
Ignacio Chevalier 1-for-3 with one strikeout and threw out one of two base runners.
Oscar Cotes 1-for-3 with one double, one run, and two strikeouts.

Rough Outing:
Rest Of The Team

Boxscore

Cardinals Sign Ignacio Chevalier & Send To Rookie-Level Dominican Summer League; Double-A Springfield Placed Starlin Rodriguez On The Disabled List; Short-Season Single-A State College Placed Andrew Sohn On The DL

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