Atlanta Braves: An Update Of The Dominican Winter League
By Jeff Schafer
The Dominican Winter League is in full swing right now with one more month to play. The regular season ends on December 21st.
Many of the top Major League prospects are currently playing in the Dominican as they look to prove themselves for a Spring Training invite and a possible roster spot in April.
The current standings look like this…
Estrellas de Oriente 21-11
Agulias Cibaenas 20-13
Toros del Este 17-16
Gigantes del Cibao 15-16
Tigres del Licey 14-19
Leones del Escogido 10-22
Currently eight players from the Atlanta Braves organization is playing in the Dominican Winter League…with the most notable name of Todd Cunningham. He joined the Tigres del Licey on November 21st to gain some extra swings this winter and try to push Licey into championship contention.
Aguilas Cibaenas
Sugar Ray Marimon Starting Pitcher – 23 IP, 0-1, 2.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 5 GS, 21/6 K’s/BB’s
Donnie Veal, Relief Pitcher – 9.2 IP, 2-1, 1.86 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 10 HLD, 8/2 K’s/BB’s
Zoilo Almonte, OF – .284/.351/.420, 2 HRs, 6 2Bs, 11 RBIs, 14 runs, 21 Ks, 9 BBs
Gigantes del Cibao
James Hoyt, Relief Pitcher – 18.2 IP, 0-1, 1.93 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 5 HLD, 24/6 K’s/BB’s
Leones del Escogido
Francisco Rondon, Relief Pitcher – 1.1 IP, 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 4.50 WHIP, 0/1 K’s/BB’s
Tigres del Licey
Juan Jaime, Relief Pitcher, 11.2 IP, 0-0, 4.63 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 7 HLD, 17/5 K’s/BB’s
Elmer Reyes, SS – .282/.309/.295, 1 HR, 2 2Bs, 16 RBIs, 5 runs, 16 Ks, 2 BBs
Todd Cunningham, OF – .263/.315/.263, 4 run, 19 AB, 5 hit, 2Ks, 1 BB
Saturday night Aguilas defeated Estrellas 3-0 and Licey beat Toros 8-5.
Cunningham had a huge night on Saturday out of the leadoff spot going 4-5 with three runs scored. He led Licey to the 8-5 victory over Toros. Reyes also added onto the offensive night with a homer in the 7th inning for his first of the winter months.
If you are unaware of a few names above, three are recent signings. Marimon was signed by the Braves on November 4, Rondon was signed November 7 and Veal was signed November 10.
As we work into the cold December month here in the states, we’ll keep you updated on the progress of the Dominican Winter League season.