Confirmed Reds playing in the AFL/Hawaii/Winter Ball

[lollipopcurve]

Chris Heisey is playing winter ball in Puerto Rico according to a poster over on Doug's site.

Good to hear. This guy's closer to the majors than people realize, I think.

[oneupper]

This article seems to say (Using google translations) that MLB is not going to let Ramirez pitch due in the first half to "Extreme Fatigue".

Nice Catch. Actually, its the Reds and not MLB who aren't allowing Ramirez to pitch with Magallanes of the Venezuelan league.

They cite an agreement between MLB and the winter leagues concerning this type of case. I'm really unaware of the details of that agreement. Maybe someone else can elaborate.

[oneupper]

Chris Heisey is playing winter ball in Puerto Rico according to a poster over on Doug's site.

I thought this was an error, since the Puerto Rican league pretty much went out of business last year (there was no 2007-08 season).

Apparently there is a new league with interleague play with the Dominican League. This season will be a short one, starting in early november.

I wonder how the Valentin brothers made out..their old team (Manati) does not seem to be in the new league.

[OnBaseMachine]

I thought this was an error, since the Puerto Rican league pretty much went out of business last year (there was no 2007-08 season).

Apparently there is a new league with interleague play with the Dominican League. This season will be a short one, starting in early november.

I wonder how the Valentin brothers made out..their old team (Manati) does not seem to be in the new league.

According to milb.com, the Puerto Rican League begins on November 6th and the postseason starts on January 7th.

[mace]

Any word on where Neftali Soto might be playing in the offseason?

[dougdirt]

Any word on where Neftali Soto might be playing in the offseason?

He is in Instructional League right now. I haven't seen anything suggesting that he would be playing anywhere else.

[mace]

Thanks, Doug. Your knowledge and responsiveness are much appreciated.

Was wondering what people thought the natural progression might be for a young hotshot like Duran or YRodriguez. I'd think the earliest you could target somebody for the big leagues would be 21 or so. That would suggest you'd pace them for AAA at 20/21, AA at 19/20, High A at 18/19, Low A at 18. Of course, everybody's different in their maturity levels, etc., but in grossly general terms do you think maybe Rookie League at 17? Is it possible that those two could pop up at Billings sometime next year?

[dougdirt]

Thanks, Doug. Your knowledge and responsiveness is much appreciated.

Was wondering what people thought the natural progression might be for a young hotshot like Duran or YRodriguez. I'd think the earliest you could target somebody for the big leagues would be 21 or so. That would suggest you'd pace them for AAA at 20/21, AA at 19/20, High A at 18/19, Low A at 18. Of course, everybody's different in their maturity levels, etc., but in grossly general terms do you think maybe Rookie League at 17? Is it possible that those two could pop up at Billings sometime next year?

I expect both Rodriguez and Duran playing for the GCL Reds next year at age 17. Both are currently in the states playing in instructional league right now. Duran's body has a lot of room for growth. Saw a picture of him yesterday playing down there, he will certainly grow into his body over the next few years.

[medford]

Doug, what's the word on their progress in instructional league? Ahead of where they thought they'd be, behind, even?

Must be strange playing games that never count in a standing, never get noticed by a news organization, and very few people care about.

[OnBaseMachine]

I hope the Reds are patient with kids like Duran and Yorman. The Mets always seem to rush their kids (Carlos Gomez, Fernando Martinez) instead of letting them develop on their own timetable. I would start Duran and Yorman in the GCL next year and probably let them play their the whole year. There's no need to rush them.

[dougdirt]

Doug, what's the word on their progress in instructional league? Ahead of where they thought they'd be, behind, even?

Must be strange playing games that never count in a standing, never get noticed by a news organization, and very few people care about.

That one I don't know. I have been gone all weekend and I am sick as can be today. I got an email this weekend with some pictures from a game last week so I haven't had any time to talk with the guy who sent them about anything yet.

[HalMorrisRules]

This article gives a nice overview of the Hawaiian League including some notes on Todd Frazier.

Hawaiian League

Here is a link to the stats for the Hawaiian League:

Waikiki Beach Boys Stats

If you then go to the League Leaders page, Alonso and Frazier are all over the offensive leaders stats.

[Mario-Rijo]

This article gives a nice overview of the Hawaiian League including some notes on Todd Frazier.

Hawaiian League

Here is a link to the stats for the Hawaiian League:

Waikiki Beach Boys Stats

If you then go to the League Leaders page, Alonso and Frazier are all over the offensive leaders stats.

Thanks Hal very handy.

[OnBaseMachine]

Here are some others:

Dominican Winter League:

Ramon Geronimo - Aguilas Cibaenas
Denis Phipps - Estrellas de Oriente
Juan Francisco - Gigantes del Cibao

Venezuelan Winter League:

Luis Bolivar - Aguilas del Zulia
Justin Mallett - Bravos de Margarita
Yuber Rodriguez - Cardenales de Lara
Alex Gonzalez - Leones del Caracas
Jon Adkins - Navegantes del Magallanes
Ramon Ramirez - Navegantes del Magallanes
Tonys Gutierrez - Tigres de Aragua

Mexican Winter League:

Daniel Guerrero - Algodoneros de Guasave

The Puerto Rican League doesn't begin until early November so their rosters have yet to be released. The other Caribbean Leagues began today or yesterday.

[OnBaseMachine]

Juan Francisco went 1-for-5 in his first game last night. It's nice to see him getting a starting gig. Hopefully he can get plenty of atbats against some pretty solid competition.