Former Cardinals Selected In The Venezuelan Central Baseball League

Naranjeros Occidentales:

Round 2: Dennys Abreu

Round 6: Jose Martinez

Round 14: Orlando Munoz

Round 16: Alberto Rivero

Round 25: Wilfred Vivas

Round 26: Anthony Fonseca

Pastores de San Joaquin:

Round 8: Javier Brito

Round 12: Frederick Parejo

Round 27: Julio Castellanos

Comandante del Beisbol

Free Agents Available For Venezuelan Central Baseball League Draft

On Thursday 26 May at 11 am Valencia Baseball Museum is the right place for sport managers and staff of each team are the Draft that will shape every ninth and thus be made ​​in a official media sets that participate in the first season of the independent Central Baseball League.

Comandante del Beisbol

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 12-12-09

Chris Swauger is the player of the day in our daily report on Cardinals prospects past and present in winter ball.

The Cardinal Nation

Minor League Free Agents

St. Louis Cardinals (7)
RHP: Oneli Perez (AAA)
LHP: Julio Castellanos (R), Kristhiam Linares (Hi A), Evan MacLane (AAA), Charlie Manning (AAA), Ian Ostlund (AAA)
C: Brandon Yarbrough (AAA)

Former Cardinals:
Abraham Nunez, Jolbert Cabrera, Mark Johnson, Justin Knoedler, Blaine Neal, Rich Rundles, Hyang-Nam Choi, Danny Ardoin, Mike Rose, Hector Luna, Matt Ginter, Justin Pope, John Rodriguez, Juan Mateo, Tagg Bozied, Josh Phelps, and Prentice Redman.

Baseball America

Cardinals Potential Minor League Free Agents

Nine St. Louis Cardinals farmhands may soon walk away as minor league free agents, seven of whom were members of the 2009 Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. Six of the nine are left-handed pitchers.

The Cardinal Nation

GCL Mets Beat Cardinal 9-0: Gerardo Mambell Only 2 Hits; Jonathan Rodriguez 3 Walks; Manuel De La Cruz & Keith Butler Each Pitch 1 Scoreless Inning

Individual Highlights:
Gerardo Mambell 2-for-4.
Jonathan Rodriguez Three walks.
Kevin Moscatel One walk.
Roberto De La Cruz 0-for-3 with one walk, three strikeouts, and two errors.
Alberto Rivero 0-for-3 with one walk and one strikeout.
Tyler Bighames 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, one fielding error, and one outfield assist.
Anthony Garcia 0-for-3, allowed two stolen bases, and picked one runner off.
Manuel De La Cruz One inning, two hits, no runs, one walk, and one strikeout. (g/f:1-0)
Keith Butler One inning, two hits, no runs, and two strikeouts. (g/f:0-1)

Rough Outing:
Rest Of The Team

Boxscore

GCL Cardinals Beat Marlins 6-1: Joe Babrick 1 HR & 3 RBIs; Jonathan Rodriguez 3 Hits & 2 RBIs; Tyler Bighames 1 RBI; Angel DeJesus Nice Start

Individual Highlights:
Cesar Valera 1-for-4 with two runs, one hit by pitch, three strikeouts, one fielding error, and assisted in one double play.
Kleinenger Teran 3-for-4 with one run and one strikeout.
Jonathan Rodriguez 3-for-3 with two RBIs (one w/two-outs), one walk, was picked off, and assisted in one double play.
Virgil Hill 1-for-3 with one run, one walk, one stolen base, and one strikeout.
Joe Babrick 2-for-3 with one home run, three RBIs (two w/two-outs), one run, and one hit by pitch.
Tyler Bighames 1-for-4 with one RBI and two strikeouts.
Angel DeJesus Started, four innings, four hits, one unearned run, one walk, and one strikeout. (g/f:10-1)
Orlando Munoz Win (1-0), two innings, two hits, no runs, and two strikeouts. (g/f:1-3)
Keith Butler Hold (1), two innings, no hits or runs, and three strikeouts. (g/f:2-1)
Julio Castellanos One inning, no hits or runs, and two walks. (g/f:2-1)

Rough Outing:
Kevin Moscatel 0-for-4 with one strikeout.

Boxscore

St. Louis Cardinals Venezuelan Parallel League Team: 2008 Caribes, Caracas, Marineros-Lara, & Zulia

(Kevin Moscatel holding the Venezuelan Parallel League Championship Trophy, picture courtesy of Kevin himself)

The final installment of the wrap-up will cover the final players that played in the Venezuelan Parallel League for Caribes de Anzoategui, Leones de Caracas, the only two players that played in the Venezuelan Parallel Western League.

Caribes finished 34-13, in second place, and a half game behind Caracas in the standings. Caribes went on to sweep the Parallel League Championship, between them and Caracas. Marineros-Lara finished 19-17 and Zulia was 14-23 in the Parallel Western League. Lara was only three game out of first and two shy of making the playoffs.

Venezuelan Parallel League

Caribes Players:

Kevin Moscatel (GCL) played in 31 games batting .139 (11-for-79) with a .207 OBP and .190 SLG. The 17-year old right-handed swinger had one double, one home run, seven RBIs, 15 total bases, scored three runs, and walked five times. He was 1-for-2 in stolen base attempts, struck out 25% (20) of the time, and committed three errors. He played 14 games behind the plate, six as designated hitter, four at first base, one as pinch hitter, and split time amongst the rest including a stop in left field.

The first-year Cardinals affiliate alternated with various other players mainly at catcher and designated hitter throughout the winter season. Moscatel picked up his first hit, first double, and first RBI on October 16. He had two multi-hit games and one multi-RBI game. On October 31, Moscatel had one of his better games going 3-for-5 and drove in a season-high three runs. He went 2-for-4, clubbing his first and only home run on November 6. (Runners left in scoring position, 2-outs: 8-1, 2 RBIs)

Moscatel will most likely be assigned to the Gulf Coast Cardinals for a second year and will be in competition with 2008 DSL All-Star Audris (Audry) Perez and possibly anybody else that is placed in Jupiter, FL. He's still young and has time to find his place with the team.

Fernando Cedeno (VSL) made nine appearances (three starts) posting an 0-1 record and 8.64 ERA. The 19-year old right-hander allowed 28 hits, 19 runs (16 earned), one home run, 13 walks, and struck out six over 16.2 innings. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 23-to-13.

The second-year VSL pitcher began the winter season as a middle reliever and was moved into the rotation in late-November. As a reliever, Cedeno had an 0-1 record and gave up 16 hits, 11 earned runs, one home run, six walks, and struck out only four over eight innings. In each of his three starts he only made it into the fourth inning once. Cedeno had three appearances without a run, one without a hit, and walked two or more in his final four games. His best outing came on October 16, pitching two innings giving up one hit, no runs, and striking out one.

Cedeno should be making a return to the Venezuelan Summer League Cardinals in 2009. He pitched alright at times in 2008 as a long-reliever and could very well be used the same way this coming season. Another possibility is maybe exploring him in the starting rotation or closer role, somewhat like Yonathan Gonzalez last season.

Orlando Munoz (GCL) made five relief appearances posting a 1-1 record and 5.40 ERA. The 18-year old right-hander allowed six hits, five runs (three earned), one home run, two walks, and struck out three over five innings. His ground out-to-fly out ratio was 3-to-2 and he let one of four inherited runners score.

The second-year Cardinals affiliate only pitched in October and made one relief appearance in December. Munoz didn't give up a run in two outings and no hits in one game. He was roughed up in his final two games for four hits, four runs, and one home run in two innings. Munoz picked up his only win on October 21 and struck out a season-high two on December 10.

Munoz will probably be another name you will catch on the Gulf Coast Cardinals roster when the season opens in 2009. Like Kevin Moscatel, he's still young and still has time to prove were he belongs on the team.

Caracas Players:

Julio Castellano (GCL?) made 15 appearances (four starts) posting an 0-2 record, 3.63 ERA, and three saves. The 21-year old left-hander allowed 34 hits, 19 runs (14 earned), one home run, 13 walks, and struck out 23 over 34.2 innings. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 56-to-17 and let two of six inherited runners score. Castellano also made two relief appearances (December 10 and 12) for the Cardinals, pitching two innings and giving up two hits, no runs, and striking out two, while picking up a save.

The four-year Cardinals free agent signing began the season in the back end of the bullpen and was moved to starter in mid-November. Castellano had nine games with no runs and six with no hits. In his first five outings he did not allow a run, spanning 6.2 innings. Castellano picked up his first two saves on back-to-back appearances on October 19 and 20. As a starter he pitched 17.2 innings giving up 24 hits, 14 runs (ten earned), one home run, six walks, and striking out 14. Castellano's best game came on November 4, pitching 4.2 innings of relief and only allowing two hits and no runs. He pitched a seven-inning complete game on November 25, giving up seven hits, three runs (one earned), four walks, and striking out a season-high six over six innings. Castellano only had three really bad outings and two of those came as a starter.

Castellano, who's VSL eligibility ran out after 2008, will begin the 2009 season in the Gulf Coast League. In 2008 the VSL Astros used him mainly as a reliever, but in 2007 he started seven of eight games. There's a possible chance that you could see him in the tandem rotation for the Redbirds this coming season.

Venezuelan Parallel Western League

Playing for Marineros-Lara:

Richard Castillo (Quad Cities) made ten appearances (five starts) posting a 3-0 record, 2.57 ERA, and one save. The 19-year old right-hander allowed 26 hits, 13 runs (12 earned), three home runs, 14 walks, hit six batters, threw two wild pitches, and struck out 42 over 42 innings. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 30-to-39, opponents batted .186 off of him, and committed one error. Castillo was promoted to Cardenales de Lara late in the winter season.

The second-year Cardinals pitcher alternated between starting and the bullpen throughout the year for Marineros-Lara. As a starter, Castillo compiled 32.1 innings giving up 19 hits, nine runs (eight earned), nine walks, and struck out 30. He had three appearances without a run scored and one without a hit. His best game came on October 27 as a starter, pitching seven innings and allowing two hits, no runs, and striking out seven. Castillo had four games with four or more strikeouts including sitting 11 down on November 10. And he gave up two or more runs in only three appearances.

Castillo was just as good as he was during the 2008 season. He'll probably make a return to Single-A Quad Cities to start the 2009 season out and I'm sure if he pitches as well as he did last season he will be getting a promotion or two during the year. But don't rule a return trip to A-Advanced Palm Beach to begin the season, as he is projected by some to make his MLB debut sometime in 2011.

Playing for Zulia del Aguilas:

Jose Penaloza (GCL) made 13 relief appearances posting a 1-2 record, 5.11 ERA, and one save. The 21-year old right-hander allowed 30 hits, 16 runs (14 earned), eight walks, hit six batters, threw five wild pitches, and struck out 29 over 24.2 innings. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 23-to-18, opponents batted .297 off of him, he committed one error, and had one balk.

The second-year Cardinals affiliate was a full-time bullpen arm for Zulia mainly working in the back end of the game. Penaloza had six games with no runs and two with no hits allowed. He was extended beyond two innings four games and went three plus innings three times. Penaloza's best game came on December 9, when he gave up five hits, no runs, and struck out four over 3.2 innings for his first and only win. He struck out two or more seven times, including his season-high of six on October 31 and also struck out five on November 6. Penaloza had a good winter season but when it came to the month of November he struggled, allowing 13 hits, 13 runs, five walks, and striking out nine over seven innings (14.14 ERA).

Penaloza, again, may see time in the Gulf Coast League for the Cardinals in 2009. I figure he may spend the whole season in Jupiter, FL to see if he can turn it around considering his walks out number his strikeouts all throughout his pro career.

Cardinals Hitters Part One
Cardinals Hitters Part Two
Cardinals Hitters Part Three
Cardinals Starting Rotation
Cardinals Bullpen
Cardinals Aragua Hitters
Cardinals Aragua Pitchers

jrocke says: Special thanks to Kevin Moscatel for giving permission to use one of his photos from his winter season, can't thank you enough.

St. Louis Cardinals Venezuelan Parallel League Team: 2008 Bullpen

This round of the St. Louis Cardinals Venezuelan Parallel League wrap-up will focus on the relievers.

Francisco Guzman (VSL) made 18 appearances (two starts) posting a 3-6 record, 4.45 ERA, and five saves. The 20-year old right-hander allowed 38 hits, 19 runs (14 earned), one home run, 17 walks, and struck out 20 over 28.1 innings. His ground out-to-flu out ratio was 29-18 and he let four of 11 inherited runners scored.

The second-year VSL pitcher began the winter season as the Redbirds closer, then was moved into the rotation, to later return as the closer. Guzman was dominant in October saving four games and picking up a win. But in his final appearance at the end of October he hit the wall and was ripped to shreds through November. In eight of his games he did not allow one run and three of those no hits. Guzman recorded a season-high four strikeouts on Dec 10 and had four appearances with two or more. Even though he gave up a home run, his best outing came on November 26 as he pitched 3.1 innings allowing one hit and one run. His worst outings came as a starter compiling an 0-1 record allowing 14 hits, 10 runs (eight earned), three walks, and striking out four over 7.1 innings. Guzman did bounce back at the end of November and through the rest of the season only giving up two runs in his next 11.2 innings. He was the team leader in saves and tied for the lead in wins.

Guzman is still in a transition period as he moved from behind the plate to the mound mid-2008 season. He's still trying to find where he belongs as the Cardinals organization practices a little patience. He'll most likely be looking at a third season at VSL in 2009 just to see if the pitching will work for him.

Jose Weffer (July 2nd Signing) made 11 relief appearances posting a 2.81 ERA. The 16-year old left-hander allowed 13 hits, six runs (five earned), one home run, 11 walks, and struck out ten over 16 innings. His ground out-to-fly out ratio was 9-13 and he let one of four inherited runners score.

The newly signed Weffer was a late innings middle reliever, coming in in the between the seventh-eighth. He had eight games without allowing a run and had three without a hit. In three of his appearance he gave out two or more free passes and had only two games with two strikeouts. His best outing came December 4, where he pitched 2.1 innings giving up one hit, no runs, and striking out two. Weffer's worst game came December 2, as he allowed three hits, three runs (two earned), two walks, hit two batters, threw a wild pitch, and even had a balk.

With Miguel Lopez's release after Parallel League, it opened a door for Weffer to climb right in. He may take over the role that was vacated in the bullpen or there's another possibility of the rotation depending if Moises Colorado stays or is promoted in 2009.

David Brito (VSL) made 16 relief appearances posting a 4.15 ERA. The 20-year old right-hander allowed 23 hits, 12 runs (ten earned), one home run, ten walks, and struck out seven over 21.2 innings. His ground out-to-fly out ratio was 21-20 and he let two of eight inherited runners score.

The third-year VSL participant was tagged from the beginning of the season and later showed what he had done in the beginning of the 2008 regular season. In his first five outings, Brito gave up 12 hits, 11 runs (9 earned), one home run, five walks, and struck out two over 5.2 innings. In one of those games he couldn't even get out of the inning. But Mid-November came and he was pretty much lights out, only allowing one earned run over his next 15.2 innings. Brito didn't give up a run in 11 appearances and no hits in six of those games. He ran a streak of 6.2 innings without a run, then ended the winter season with a scoreless streak of seven innings.

Brito seems to be getting back to form after missing some time in the 2008 regular season. With that said, he has pitched his third season at VSL and should be making a trip to Jupiter, FL for St. Louis Cardinals minor league spring camp. Brito could be an added arm to the GCL bullpen, that struggled in 2008, possibly as a set-up man.

Jackson Solarte (VSL) made 13 relief appearances posting a 2-2 record and 2.62 ERA. The 18-year old right-hander allowed 21 hits, 15 runs (seven earned), 13 walks, and struck out 21 over 24 innings. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 21-12 and let two of five inherited runners score.

The first-year VSL reliever was used in the long relief role for the Redbirds. Solarte had four appearances without a run and two with no hits, even opening the season up only giving up one run over his first 5.1 innings His walks were a big concern, as he walked two or more in seven seperate occasions over the winter season. Solarte's best outing came on December 12, as he struck out a season-high five and only gave up one hit over three innings. His worst was on December 4, when he allowed two hits, five run (one earned), five walks, and struck out three. Solarte ranked third on the team in ERA and was second in walks allowed.

Solarte could very well be an important part of the Venezuelan Summer League Cardinals in 2009. Probably could follow along in the footsteps of Fabian Marquez, who was an effective middle reliever in 2008, as long as he can keep the walks to a minimum.

Gregorio Ramos (VSL) made ten relief appearances posting an 0-2 record and 7.63 ERA. The 19-year old right-hander allowed 18 hits, 14 runs (13 earned), five home runs, ten walks, and struck out 12 over 15.1 innings. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 18-5 and let one of two inherited runners score.

The first-year VSL pitcher wasn't as bad as his stats seem to suggest. In four games, Ramos didn't give up a run and two no hits. He had four really rough outings where ha gave up two or more runs. Ramos' worst game came on November 11, giving up four hits, three earned runs, and two home runs. On November 7 he had his best appearance, pitching 3 innings of scoreless ball, giving up two hits, one walk, and striking out a season-high three.

Ramos looks to be returning to VSL in 2009 and could find some valuable time with relievers such as David Brito, Yonathan Gonzalez, and Miguel Lopez on the way out the door.

Fabian Marquez (VSL) made nine relief appearances posting a 3-0 record and 1.64 ERA. The 17-year old right-hander allowed 18 hits, five runs (four earned), one home run, five walks, and struck out 15 over 22 innings. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 25-22 and let all of his 12 inherited runners score.

The first-year VSL pitcher like the 2008 regular season held the same role with the Cardinals Parallel team, being long-reliever. Marquez didn't give up a run in five games and no hits in just one. He only finished under two innings in one relief appearance and struck out two or more in five games. His best outing came on October 30, when he pitched three innings only allowing one hit and no runs, while striking out a season-high four. On December 13, he struggled through two innings giving up three hits, two earned runs, and one walk. Marquez lead the team in wins and ERA.

Marquez added on to a great 2008 regular season and should do a much better job in 2009, now that he has some experience under his belt. I still think he might be worth a look in the rotation, especially since he has trouble keeping runners on base coming in on the relief role.

Miguel Lopez (VSL-Free Agent) made 11 relief appearances posting an 0-1 record and 3.34 ERA. The 19-year old left-hander allowed 30 hits, 17 runs (11 earned), four home runs, eight walks, and struck out 20 over 29.2 innings. His ground out-to-fly out ratio was 27-31 and he let three of six inherited runners score.

The second-year VSL pitcher was used in the long-relief role for Cardinals, even coming in a couple times in the third or fourth. Lopez had three scoreless appearances, including a two that where for three or three plus innings. His best outing came on October 22, when he gave up only one hit, no runs, two walks, and struck out two. He struggled a little with his location/control hitting four batters, walking eight, and leaving the ball out over the plate for four home runs. Lope opened the season with one of his worst performances on October 18, where he gave up two hits, four runs, three walks, and threw one wild pitch.

I'm not real sure on the reasoning behind Lopez's release after the winter season, but it unfortunately happened. I for sure pegged him as a possible contending reliever in Jupiter, FL during the spring.

Eduardo Sanchez (Quad Cities) made six relief appearances posting a 1-0 record, 2.25 ERA, and two saves. The 19-year old right-hander allowed five hits, four runs (two earned), two walks, and struck out 15 over eight innings. He had a ground out-to-fly out ratio of 5-1 and kept all six of his inherited runners on base. Sanchez began the winter season with Aragua, giving up three hits, three runs (two earned), one walk, and struck out two over two innings in two games.

The third-year Cardinal affiliate joined the squad at the beginning of November after a disappointing start with Aragua. Sanchez took over the closer role for the Redbirds when the team decided to move Francisco Guzman around to the rotation. In four of his six outing he gave up a run and he walked his only two batter on November 17. Sanchez had his best game on November 8, when he struck out a season-high four and gave up one hit over two innings. He also struck out the side in his final game on November 19.

Sanchez seems to have heeled just fine from his injury during the 2008 season. He is probably aimed for a return at Quad Cites and hopefully the team uses him in a set-up or closer role because of how well he has handled it the past two winters for the Cardinals Parallel League team.

VSL Academy Tryouts that didn't make the cut:

Jose Tovar made one relief appearance on November 13. He allowed no hits or runs, walked one, and threw one wild pitch over two innings. (ground out-fly out:1-5)

C.Celas made one relief appearance on November 18. He allowed no hits, one earned run, one walk, hit two batters, and struck out two over two innings.

J.Celas made three relief appearances (coming on November 25, November 30, and December 4), posting a 1-1 record and 2.81 ERA. He allowed five hits, three runs (one earned), two walks, hit one batter, threw one wild pitch, and strukc out three over 3.2 innings. I'm not sure if J.Celas and C.Celas are one in the same, not much information provided. (ground out-fly out:3-1, inherited runners-scored:4-3)

J.Hernandez made one relief appearance on December 4. He allowed four hits, five runs (two earned), two walks, threw one wild pitch, and stuck out one over 0.2 innings.

VSL Academy Tryout that made the cut:

Julio Castellano (GCL) pitched two games for the Cardinals, but he began the season with Caracas and that wrap-up will come later.

Hitters Part One
Hitter Part Two
Hitters Part Three
Starting Rotation

Some Ex-Cardinal Minor/Major League Players Sign Deals

Astros: John Gall & Josh Pressley
Phillies: Blaine Neal & Justin Pope
Pirates: Juan Mateo
Nationals: Jorge Sosa

Announced in this addition of transactions is Cardinals signing Julio Castellano & Joe Thurston

Baseball America

Cardinals Winter League Notebook: Double Dose (12/22 & 12/23)

*Mexican Pacific League*

Sunday's results:
Fernando Salas (Springfield): Entered in the fifth and pitched two innings in game two. Allowed no hits or runs, and struck one out en route to his second win in league play. (ground out-fly out:1-4)
Mazatlan shut out Mochis 1-0 in game 1 of a doubleheader: Boxscore
Mazatlan shut out Mochis 5-0 in game 2: Boxscore
Mazatlan (37-25) has Monday thru Wednesday scheduled off, visit Mexicali (31-29) Thursday @ 7:30pm MST.

Hugo Castellanos (Memphis-free agent): Did not pitch for Obregon.
Obregon scored one run in the bottom of the ninth to avoid extras and beat Navojoa 3-2: Boxscore

Former MLB pitcher Scott Erickson started for Mexicali and pitched 3.2 innings allowing five hits, four runs, six walks, two home runs, and striking out one. Erickson, who hasn't pitched since 2006 with the Yankees, is trying to make a comeback in his baseball career. Boxscore

Monday's results:
Hugo Castellano (Memphis-free agent): Entered in the eighth and pitched one inning. Allowed one hit, no runs, and one walk picking up his tenth hold of the winter season. (ground out-fly out:1-2)
Former Memphis Redbird Reggie Taylor went 3-for-4 for Obregon.
Obregon scored one in the eighth and beat Guasave 2-1: Boxscore
Obregon (26-36) visits Guasave (35-28) Tuesday @ 7:30pm MST.

*Veracruz Instructional League (Mexico)*

Sunday's results:
Francisco Rivera (Quad Cities): Entered in the fifth inning as designated hitter, batting leadoff. 0-for-2 with one walk and one caught stealing.
Acayucan lost 4-3 to Cosamaloapan: Boxscore
Acayucan (16-39-2) visits Tuxtlas (38-19-1) Tuesday @ 7:00pm MST for the start of the playoffs.

Joe Rogers (Memphis) and Minatitlan (36-19-1) will take on Cosamaloapan (28-25-1) starting Tuesday in a best of five series in the first round of the tournament: Link

Playoff schedule: Link

Final regular season stats:
Joe Rogers (Memphis) made five appearances (four starts) posting a 1-0 record and 3.78 ERA. He allowed 18 hits, seven earned runs, four home runs, three walks, and struck out eight over 16.2 innings.

Francisco Rivera (Quad Cities) batted .285 with two doubles, three home runs, 17 RBIs, 19 runs, 17 walks, 12 strikeouts, .374 SLG, and .376 OBP in 38 games.

*Venezuelan League*

Sunday's results:
Jose Martinez (Springfield) and Jose Rada (GCL): Did not play for Aragua.
Ex-Cardinal Carmen Cali pitched 1.2 scoreless innings for Aragua giving up one hit and striking one out.

Richard Castillo (Quad Cities): Did not pitch for Lara.
Ex-Cardinal Cesar Izturis went 2-for-4 with a triple, run, and stolen base for Lara.
Lara beat Aragua 3-1: Boxscore

Katsuhiko Maekawa (Memphis): Did not pitch in either of the games for Caribes.
Former Springfield Cardinal Jose Garcia pitched 4.1 innings of relief for Caribes giving up four hits, one run, one walk, and striking out three in game one.
Caribes gave up six runs in the second and lost 7-4 to Margarita in game one of a doubleheader: Boxscore
Caribes was shut out 2-0 by Margarita in game two: Boxscore
Caribes (24-32) visits Lara (30-27) Monday @ 7:30pm VST.

Mondays' results:
Jose Rada (GCL): Started and pitched three innings in game one. Allowed three hits, no runs, one walk, and struck out two. (ground out-fly out:3-3)
Jose Martinez (Springfield): Did not play in either game for Aragua.
Aragua scored all five run in the first two innings beating Zulia 5-1 in game one of a doubleheader: Boxscore
Aragua beat Zulia 6-2 in game two: Boxscore
Aragua (32-24) hosts Zulia (27-31) Tuesday @ 4:00pm VST.

Former Memphis Redbird Orber Moreno picked up his second win of the winter season and he pitched one scoreless inning for Caracas: Boxscore

Former Springfield Cardinal Juan Richardson has now joined La Guaira to finish off the VWL season and hit his first home run in his first game Monday: Boxscore

*Venezuelan Parallel League*

Caribes shut out Caracas 3-0 in game one of the championship series on Saturday: Post Game
Caribes swept the championship series beating Caracas 3-1 in the second game: Post Game
Kevins Moscatel (GCL), Fernando Cedeno (VSL), and Orlando Munoz (GCL): Played for Caribes.

Cardinals signed Julio Castellano to a minor league contract. He was the only Venezuelan Academy tryout player to sign that played on the St. Louis Cardinals Venezuelan Parallel League team. He made two relief appearances picking up one save. Castellano allowed two hits, no runs, and struck out two over two innings. Read more about him here: Link

*Venezuelan Parallel Western League*

Final Stats:
Richard Castillo (Quad Cities) made ten appearances (five starts) posting a 3-0 record, 2.57 ERA, and one save for Mariners-Lara. He allowed 26 hits, 13 runs (12 earned), three home runs, 14 walks, hit six batters, threw two wild pitches, and struck out 42 over 42 innings. Opponents batted .186 against him. Castillo was promoted to Lara a month ago.

Jose Penaloza (GCL) made 13 relief appearances posting a 1-2 record, 5.11 ERA, and one save for Zulia. He allowed 30 hits, 16 runs (14 earned), eight walks, hit six batters, threw five wild pitches, and struck out 29 over 24.2 innings. Opponents batted .297 against him.

*Domincan Republic League*

Final game of regular season

Monday's results:
Amaury Marti (Memphis) and D'Angelo Jimenez (Memphis-free agent): Did not play for Licey.

Ex-Cardinal Abraham Nunez went 4-for-6 and drove in one run for Escogido.
Licey was pounded on by Escogido 13-3: Boxscore

Round Robin Tournament opens December 26: Schedule
Licey (26-24) vs. Gigantes (30-20)
Azucareros (28-22) vs. Aguilas (26-24)

*Colombian League*

Sunday's results:
Sincelejo beat Barranquilla 5-3.
Monteria beat Cartagena 2-1.

Monday's results:
Barranquilla beat Cartagena 5-3 in game one of a doubleheader.
Cartagena beat Barranquilla 8-2 in game two.
Sincelejo beat Monteria 4-3.

The Colombian League awarded Barranquilla the win for the December 17th loss to Sincelejo. League rules require a certain number of Colombian born players on the field win the game starts and ends. And Cardinals' Colombian scout and Cartagena MGR Neder Horta was suspended six games for coming in contact with an umpire and knocking him to the ground: Link

St. Louis Cardinals also signed Luis Orozco who is pitching for Sincelejo, read more: Link

Also participating: Donovan Solano (Springfield), Davis Bilardello (Palm Beach), Pete Parise (Palm Beach), and Ryan Bird (Instructional).

Tuesday's games:
Cartagena (23-25) @ Barranquilla (26-22)
Sincelejo (20-27) @ Monteria (26-21)

*Puerto Rican League*

Sunday's results:
Yadier Molina (St. Louis): Started at catcher and batted 6th. 1-for-3 at the plate and threw out one base runner.
Luis Mateo (Johnson City): Did not play for Carolina.
Ex-Cardinal Kiko Calero gave up three hits and three runs in a 1/3 of an inning for Carolina.

Joe Thurston (Memphis): Did not play for Ponce.
Ex-Cardinal Eli Marrero doubled and drove in one run for Ponce.
Ponce beat Carolina 9-4: Boxscore
Ponce (22-11) has Monday off, vists Mayaguez (15-17) Tuesday @ 7:30pm AST.

Monday's results:
Yadier Molina (St. Louis): Entered in the seventh as a pinch hitter and took over as desinated hitter, batting second. 0-for-1 at the plate.
Ex-Yankee Bernie Williams played in his first game for Carolina.
Luis Mateo (Johnson City): Did not play for Carolina.
Carolina beat Mayaguez 4-1: Boxscore
Carolina (12-20) vists Caguas (15-17) Tuesday @ 7:30pm AST.

Cardinals Add Two Young Latin American Relievers

Now and then, playing in winter ball creates an opportunity for as-of-yet unsigned players to find a professional home.

Such is the case for two young men, one from Colombia, the other from Venezuela.
The Cardinal Nation

Luis Orozco: Colombian Reliever Signs With Cardinals

Julio Castellano: Venezuelan Lefty Inks Cardinals Contract