Newly acquired shortstop Alex Gonzalez has been toiling in the Venezuelan Winter League and, judging by the results, his hard work is paying off.
Playing for the Leones del Caracas, the 29-year-old Major League veteran is hitting .333 with two doubles and a home run in 24 playoff at-bats. That follows 11 regular-season appearances in which he batted .293.
Gonzalez is one of several Reds participating in various Winter Leagues. Here's how the others fared this week as the playoffs continued:
Venezuelan Winter League:
INF Luis Bolivar -- Bolivar is hitting .240 with four runs scored in 25 playoff at-bats for the Aguilas del Zulia. The 25-year-old has struggled defensively, committing six errors in 10 games. He batted .294 in 187 regular-season at-bats.
RHP Carlos Bohorquez -- After sporting a sparkling 1.31 ERA in 18 regular-season appearances, Bohorquez has allowed three runs on eight hits and six walks over 4 2/3 innings in the playoffs for the Leones del Caracas.
RHP Ruben Medina -- Medina was1-0 with a 5.00 ERA in nine innings during the regular season for the Tiburones de La Guaira, who did not qualify for the playoffs.
INF Javier Colina -- Colina hit .204 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in 30 regular-season games with the Aguilas del Zulia. He has not appeared in the postseason.
INF Anderson Machado -- Machado hit .197 with three RBIs in 34 games for the Pastora de los Llanos, who did not qualify for the postseason.
Dominican Winter League:
3B Edwin Encarnacion -- Encarnarcion is batting .294 with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 13 playoff games for the Aguilas Cibaenas. In 20 regular-season contests, he hit .286 with four homers and 12 RBIs.
RHP Edward Valdez -- Valdez has surrendered four runs over 5 1/3 innings in the playoffs for the Aguilas Cibaenas. He went 4-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 27 regular-season frames.
OF Chris Denorfia -- The 26-year-old outfielder batted .258 with 12 RBIs in 26 regular-season games for the Leones del Escogido, who did not reach the playoffs.
C Chad Moeller -- The Major League veteran hit just .069 in 10 games for the Estrellas de Oriente, who did not qualify for the postseason.
1B Joey Votto -- Votto hit .275 with one home run and nine RBIs during the regular season for the Leones del Escogido, who did not make the postseason.
RHP Johnny Cueto -- After surrendering seven runs in 7 1/3 innings during the regular season, Cueto has not pitched in the playoffs for the Aguilas Cibaenas.
Mexican Winter League:
INF Juan Castro -- Castro batted .182 in six regular-season games for the Caneros de los Mochis. He has not played in the postseason.
1B Jesse Gutierrez -- Gutierrez is 6-for-21 through five playoff games with the Mayos de Navojoa. The 28-year-old hit .260 with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs in 66 regular-season contests.
OF Norris Hopper -- Hopper batted .296 with two home runs and 18 RBIs in 32 regular-season games for the Mayos. He has not appeared in the playoffs.
RHP Thomas Shearn -- Shearn was one of the most effective starting pitchers in the Mexican Pacific League during the regular season, going 6-3 with a 2.76 ERA in 71 2/3 innings. The right-hander has not pitched since Dec. 16.
Ryan McConnell is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.