Atlanta Braves: Dominican Winter League Update

The Dominican Winter League ended its season on Sunday night with Estrellas de Oriente winning the regular season crown.

Eight players from the Atlanta Braves organization are 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.

My Braves MVP for the Dominican Winter League would have to be Zoilo Almonte.  He had a terrific winter season as he help Aguilas to 29 wins.  Almonte will be competing for a roster spot at the 2015 Spring Training.

The regular season standings look like this…

Estrellas de Oriente 32-17

Agulias Cibaenas 29-20

Gigantes del Cibao 28-22

Toros del Este 24-26

Tigres del Licey 19-31

Leones del Escogido 17-33

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.  He last pitched on Aguilas on November 17 so the Braves must have seen enough and pulled him out of the league.

Donnie Veal, Relief Pitcher – 9.2 IP, 2-1, 1.86 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 10 HLD, 8/2 K’s/BB’s.  He last pitched for Aguilas on November 28.

Zoilo Almonte, OF – .338/.395/.475, 2 HRs, 13 2Bs, 17 RBIs, 18 runs, 31 Ks, 13 BBs.  He had a great season for Aguilas and go hot during the month of December.

Gigantes del Cibao

James Hoyt, Relief Pitcher – 24 IP, 0-1, 3.00 ERA, 32/8 K’s/BB’s.  Has had a decent winter months with Gigantes.

Leones del Escogido

Francisco Rondon, Relief Pitcher – 3 IP, 0-0, 3.00 ERA, 1/2 K’s/BB’s.  Really hasn’t be given the opportunity to pitch this offseason.

Tigres del Licey

Juan Jaime, Relief Pitcher, 16.1 IP, 0-0, 3.31 ERA, 25/6 K’s/BB’s. Jaime has pitched great in December giving up only three hits in his four appearances and zero runs.

Elmer Reyes, SS – .289/.329/.338, 1 HR, 4 2Bs, 21 RBIs, 10 runs, 25 Ks, 5 BBs.  Reyes has played well for Licey but has had to split time at short.

Todd Cunningham, OF – .229/.267/.257, 7 run, 1 RBI, 2 2B, 70 AB, 16 hit, 7Ks, 3 BB.  Cunningham came to Licey late in the season and really never got going.  His stats are a little disappointing considering he is trying to make the Braves opening day roster.

Cunningham’s season is complete in the Dominican as he tweeted out Sunday night he is on his way home.