Morning Rundown: Catching up on more Winter League baseball
More Pirates players are scattered throughout the world playing in winter ball
Despite the Arizona Fall League wrapping up this week, baseball is still happening worldwide and involves members of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Looking through the rosters of some of the winter leagues going on right now, many familiar names are participating. Here are the ones I can find that are still in the Pirates organization.
If anyone has a more comprehensive list or notices anyone missing, let me know so I can add them.
Dominican Winter League
This is the most recognizable league, and the games are streamed on MLB TV if you have a subscription. They also recently had some teams play at Citi Field in New York for exhibition games.
Luis Ortiz, RHP Aguilas Cibaenas
Per the last update on Baseball Reference, Ortiz has pitched twice (3.2 innings) and allowed nine hits, five runs (two earned) while striking out five with no walks.
Noe Toribio, RHP Gigantes del Cibao
Hunter Stratton, RHP Toros del Este
6 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 9 K
Geronimo Franzua, RHP Estrella Orientales
Endy Rodriguez, C Estrella Orientales
According to the LIDOM site, he’s thrown out 1-of-3 base stealers but is only 1-for-12 at the plate.
Domingo Leyba, INF Tigres del Licey
He’s a minor league free agent but spent the entire 2023 season in the Pirates season.
Australian Baseball League
According to the website, it doesn’t look like the rosters are complete, with the season set to start November 16.
Two Pirates’ prospects are listed on the Sydney Blue Sox roster - Mike Jarvis and Carlos Jimenez.
After missing most of the season, Jimenez made a few appearances in the FCL and Bradenton and will look to add more innings before heading into 2024. Jarvis hit 11 home runs and stole 31 bases between two levels last year.
Puerto Rico
Valentin Linarez and Eddy Yean - Gigantes de Carolina
Both have pitched well early on, with Linarez picking up three saves in his four appearances so far. He’s struck out six and walked one in four innings pitched.
Yean has a 2.25 ERA with five strikeouts and no walks in four innings pitched.
John Lopez and Shawn Ross - RA12
A pair of catchers are teaming up for RA12: Lopez, a recent draft pick in 2023, and Ross, who switched behind the plate midseason.
Lopez hasn’t played much, but both have thrown out the only attempted base stealer. Ross has gone 3-for-12 with three walks and three strikeouts.
Mexico
Omar Cruz, LHP Naranjeros de Hermosillo
Cruz has a 6.39 ERA in 12.2 innings pitched, walking seven and striking out nine.
Miss Dreker having an outlet for this stuff.
Did the Pirates try to make Luis Ortiz into a rock star too fast or was he more of a one hit wonder? He was never a top prospect and his overall numbers in the numbers in the minors are not eye-popping. Then I am guessing he caught fire in the minors before the Pirates surprisingly brought him up late 2022. He had some major league games where he just mowed people down. Now he just has me baffled.