Baltimore Orioles’ players taking part in Mexican and Dominican Winter Leagues - MLB News
It maybe offseason in the Major League but some players prefer match practice to rest. Several players from various ball clubs are taking part in the winter leagues in the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
The list includes several names from the Baltimore Orioles’ players and future prospects. Zelous Wheeler, who was added to the 40-man roster last year, had spent a fair amount of time with the Double-A Bowie Bay Sox and sometime with Triple-A Norfolk Tides,
has been hitting exceedingly well for the Algodoneros de Guasave in the Mexican Pacific League.
Zelous has been enjoying a great bit of success as he has been hitting with a batting average of .351 with 31 RBI’s and seven home-runs. Along with 32 runs, he has 52 hits including 14 doubles. Wheeler is leading the league in batting averages and his home-runs
and RBI’s are amongst the top in the league as well.
The 26-year-old Ryan Flaherty is also expected to be taking part in the Dominican Winter League, representing the Leones de Escogido. The rookie who was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the first round in 2008 had a pretty good season with the Orioles and
will certainly be looking to further hone his skills in the Dominican Republic.
Pitchers Luis Ayala and Richard Zagone are participating in the Mexican Winter League. Their journey, however, has not been very smooth and both have posted an ERA of 9 or more thus far, representing the Yaquis de Obregón. Both the pitchers have a losing
record and are posting a high WHIP as well.
Luis represented the Orioles in the 2012 season posting a 5-5 win-loss record. The 26-year-old Richard spent his 2012 season with the Double-A Bowie Bay Sox and the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. He had an overall 6-4 winning record for the two teams.
Class-A Fredrick hitter Garabez Rosa is playing for the Gigantes Del Cibao. The shortstop so far has posted impressive numbers with a .286 batting average and a .385 on-base percentage in the seven games he has played in.
Second baseman Alexi Casilla is Rosa’s team-mate in the Dominican Winter League. He has had a .290 batting average and a .329 on-base percentage. In the 16 games that he has played, Alexi has hit four RBI’s and has not yet hit a home-run.
Buck Britton, who has posted some impressive numbers in the Orioles’ farm system, is representing the Leones del Escogido in Dominican Republic. The 26-year-old has had a reasonable time with a batting average of .235 in nine games along with a .316 on-base
percentage.
Playing in diverse conditions will certainly help these upcoming and talented players in polishing their skills and should serve as a useful exercise in their quest to the Major Leagues.
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