Blue Jays Winter Ball Update: Relievers Shine

Here’s the latest info in the land(s) of Blue Jays Winter Ball.

Australian Baseball League

The ABL is on a 5 day holiday break. The Canberra Cavalry sit at 15-13.

OF, Anthony Alford– Given the relative little amount of time he’s been able to focus on baseball, we can probably give him a little leeway as he gets his reps in Australia. For the season he’s slashing .221/.337/.337. With 2 doubles, a triple and 2 HR, we’ve not seen much power from Alford thus far. As well, in 23 games, he’s whiffed 31 times. Here’s an oddity: against lefty pitching, Alford (a righty) is hitting just .120! The speed is there, though as he’s swiped 5 bases. 

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C, Jack Murphy– He continues to rake in Australia. At this rate, he may not want to leave. On the season, Murphy is slashing .352/.408/.538 with 4 HR and 22 RBI. He’s scored as many runs (14 as he’s struck out. Though, over his last 10 games, he’s hit .256 with 2 HR and 11 RBI including 4 on Dec 20 in the second of a double header. He also picked up 3 the day before.

1B, L.B. Dantzler– He’s picked it up a bit over his last 10 game with a .273 average. His season totals of 3HR and 18 RBI are not bad, but his 7 BB to 17 K is a work in progress. Also of note is the fact that as a left handed batter, L.B.’s splits are not too bad, either. VS LHP, he’s hitting .259 while hitting .265 against RHP.

2B, Christian Lopes– He’s having a fairly good time in Australia as well with a slash line of .337/.384/.461 with 2 HR and 14 RBI. The 22 yr old second baseman has only struck out 7 times in 89 at bats. He’s collected 15 hits over his last 10 games.

Liga Mexicana del Pacifico

2B, Ryan Schimpf– He’s not seeing much action as a reserve player for Venados de Mazatlan.

SS, Jorge Flores– In 59 games for Naranjeros de Hermosillo, Flores is hitting .235/.291/.299 with 1 HR and 18 RBI. He’s striking out (37) nearly 4 times as much as he’s walking (10). While, he does have a triple, the extra base power is not really there.

Next: We Set Some Over/Under Predictions for the 2015 Blue Jays

Liga Venezuela Beisbol Professional

3B, Andy Burns– Still has not seen action since October.

RP, Casey Lawrence– Like Burns, Lawrence has not seen action in a while. His last appearance was November 18.

RP, Gregory Infante- Over his last 10 games, Infante has struggled a bit. In 10.2 innings, Infante has amassed a 4.22 ERA in relief for Tiburones de La Guaira. Despite this rough patch, Infante is the owner of a 1-2 record with a 3.04 ERA. In 24 games, he’s whiffed 32 batters, given up 13 walks and 3 HR.

I really couldn’t resist this. Infante’s team mate in Venezuela is none other than former Blue Jays pitcher and cologne entrepreneur, Gustavo Chacin. You may remember “Smells Like Victory”. The now 34 year old has not seen any action, but at least we can know answer, “What ever happened to…”.

RP, Arik Sikula– Sikula is continuing his strong Arizona Fall League performance with an even better winter for Caribes de Anzoategui. In 12 games, he is the proud owner of a 1.74 ERA. He’s surrendered 5 walks while striking out 6. Despite this, he’s only allowed 2 runs. If he can regain his control, he will continue to open some eyes in the Blue Jays organization.

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

SP, Scott Copeland– He’s not pitched since December 12, but is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in 7 games and 6 starts. Over 29.1 innings, he’s struck out 21 and walked 12. But, he’s only allowed 4 runs to score. He’s not allowed a run since November 30.

1B, Matt Hague– He’s continuing his strong performance in Buffalo with a good showing for the Toros del Este. Despite hitting  just .250 over his last 10 games, Hague holds a line of .293/.352/.340. He’s not really hitting for power, though. He has 0 HR and just 7 doubles.

INF, Jonathan Diaz– Diaz has not played since December 4. He’d been hitting just .138 in his previous 10 games. On the season, he’s hitting .248/.394/.317. His OBP is helped out by his 20 BB in 34 games. Havign said that, he’s also whiffed 27 times.

3B, Andy Fermin– After not playing for nearly a month, Fermin started seeing some regular action again on Dec 12. Though, he’s only collected 8 at bats over 5 games since then. And, it’s not working out so well. He’s hitting .188 over that time. On the season, he’s only collected 3 hits in 14 at bats.

SP, Liam Hendriks– He’s not pitched since November 28. After a successful 2014 in Buffalo, that might be just fine for the Toronto Blue Jays as he’ll be counted on as one of the depth pitchers heading in to 2015.

RP, Bobby Korecky– Korecky is being downright stingy. In 15 innings pitched for the Aguilas Cibaenas, he’s sporting a sparkling 0.60 ERA. He’s whiffed 14, walked just 3 and only allowed 2 runs, one of which was earned. Batters are hitting .100.

OF, Brad Glenn– Glenn is hitting .240/.298/.313 for Leones del Escogido with 1 HR and 9 RBI. Though over his last 10, he’s below the Mendoza line at .194.

RP, Jimmy Cordero– In 8 games for Leones del Escogido, Cordero has an ERA of 1.17. He’s struck out 8 and walked 4. He’s only given up 2 hits in the month of December.

Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

C, A.J. Jimenez– For the Cangrejeros de Santurce, Jimenez is hitting .237 in December. He has just 2 RBI, 9 hits, 0 HR in 38 at bats. He’s picked up 2 BB.

2B, Dickie Joe Thon– He’s only seen 23 at bats since mid-November. In those appearances, he’s hitting .217. he struck out 10 times.