2022-2023 Winter Ball - AFL Instructional, Latin America, Australia

andyb 2022-12-08 17:57:23 UTC #61

Rojas headed home for even more Winter ball.

#LiceyNews

Los Tigres han recibido el permiso del jardinero Johan Rojas, quien es el quinto mejor prospecto de la organización de los Phillies de Philadelphia. #ThisIsLiceyTime pic.twitter.com/FvIqMTN93s
— Tigres del Licey ( @TigresdelLicey ) December 7, 2022

Austinfan 2022-12-08 23:42:27 UTC #62

Good, with the time lost to COVID, these guys need every PA they can get.

phillychuck 2022-12-09 03:33:50 UTC #63

That's usually a tough league for guys with Rojas's level of experience. A lot of AAA and AAAA guys play there, and some major leaguers, too, although they are usually on limited ABs or IPs.

Austinfan 2022-12-09 04:02:59 UTC #64

AFL is AA/AAA types, many with a good shot at the Show, so it shouldn't be that big of a jump.

andyb 2022-12-15 14:35:10 UTC #65

Asdrubel Cabrera still making (a different kind of) impact:

Luego de que Castro conectara su TERCER cuadrangular del juego sucedió en esto.

https://t.co/kNpecgLccQ pic.twitter.com/YGaZlU4K32
— Tiburones Report ( @TiburonesReport ) November 20, 2022

andyb 2022-12-19 21:53:53 UTC #66

Another good outing from Starlyn Castillo. His new nickname: "El Koala". Jhailyn Ortiz and Johan Rojas both make their Dominican debuts. Rafael Marchan also playing down in Venezuela.

andyb 2022-12-30 13:55:22 UTC #67

Competition does not seem great, but Starlyn Castillo is putting together some nice outings.

A combined 𝐧𝐨-𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 in today's seven inning game for Starlyn Castillo, Luke Wilkins and Riley Yeatman with Ryan January behind the dish. pic.twitter.com/aYQ4ZIQbWd
— Adelaide Giants Baseball Club ( @AdelaideGiants ) December 30, 2022

7 starts. 3-1, 2.42 ERA, 26 IP, 18 H, 12 BB, 23 K.

Austinfan 2022-12-30 14:02:05 UTC #68

Castillo has the stuff if he's 100% after the June 2021 TJ surgery (now 18 months, normal recover time).
So this is a good sign that he probably hasn't lost any velo.

But another questionable signing, $1.6M for a 5'11 210 pitcher who seems physically maxed out throwing 91-95.
So even with tweaks, can he get much above 92-94 as a starter (low minor velo are generally short stint numbers)?
Which requires plus secondary pitches to be effective.

That's a lot of money to gamble on development, how many young pitchers develop two plus secondary pitches and the command to make them effective?

julio 2022-12-30 14:47:55 UTC #69

This is "old" news, but I don't think it's been mentioned here. Phils prospect Nikau Pouaka-Grego, playing for Adelaide in the ABL, injured his knee in the opening series against Perth, and has had season-ending surgery. I knew he had disappeared from the lineups, but didn't see any reports on why until this 12/27 news item on Adelaide's web page:

https://adelaidegiants.com.au/news/pg-5/

After dazzling in his first weekend in the ABL with the Giants, Pouaka-Grego injured his knee vs Perth. He underwent season ending surgery and is working his way back up.
...

“My knee is going well since I had surgery,” says Nikau. “Since the day I was discharged at the hospital, I’ve had to do a range of motion exercises at rehand with my doctor (Luke Abels). It’s a lot of muscle activation and soft tissue work.”

Pouaka-Grego will head to the USA near the Phillies’ complex to continue his rehab with the team in Clearwater, Florida.

“With the injury, the focus has shifted to coming back bigger, stronger and fitter by June where I hope I can get back on the field competing again,” he says.

Catcher Arturo De Freitas also suffered a "season-ending injury" and is no longer active with Adelaide — but I've seen nothing that indicates what kind of injury.

andyb 2022-12-30 16:06:55 UTC #70

Nobody is arguing Castillo was a good signing. While physically maxed out compared to other prospects, he was high 90s when signed (95-98). He just got hurt and now is more 93-94. At least he is healthy and seems to be learning how to pitch a bit. This is really not the place to keep complaining about his ill advised bonus. It is not rocket science to suggest any pitcher that does not throw 100 needs secondary pitches. He is our prospect like it or not, and he seems to be getting a bit better.

andyb 2022-12-30 16:11:21 UTC #71

That injury seems minor at least since he is back training so soon. I.E. not an ACL. Disappointing he will not be back until June of course. I assume he had (and has) a shot at full season Clearwater in 2023. Will play all of 2023 as an 18-year-old (unless he gets promoted to a league that plays past his mid-September birthday which would be impressive).

zambonir 2022-12-30 16:58:21 UTC #72

I guess the term "season-ending surgery" isn't as scary if it just meant the Australian season.

julio 2022-12-30 17:02:27 UTC #73

I spent some time listening to the on-demand broadcast of the Adelaide game from the following week; the pbp guy commented that Pouaka-Grego had “tweaked” his knee at the gym (presumably doing his weight work), but that it was not serious, and P-G was just unavailable for the Geelong series. Evidently more serious than originally thought, since it required surgery. Given the timeline, presumably not ACL, as you noted; meniscus tear?

andyb 2023-01-03 15:34:20 UTC #74

Just about done with winter ball. Here are the latest stats from Steve Potter. Unsung hero is Rafael Marchan. Still no power, but having a very solid winter season with more BBs than Ks.

And in Adelaide news, I am not suggesting we will sign him (like we seem to do with any Adelaide player having a good year), but look who the Giants just signed:

https://adelaidegiants.com.au/news/michael-martinez/

In more realistic possibilities they added Bubby Rossman too. Would not be shocked to see him back at LHV. Nice insurance and who knows if he can harness his velocity and add a cutter or some second pitch.

andyb 2023-01-23 21:15:26 UTC #75

Still playing in Australia:

HI ️ @rixonwingrove_ mashes a three-run homer and we lead 5-0 after three innings pic.twitter.com/i9KK7w6RTj
— Adelaide Giants Baseball Club ( @AdelaideGiants ) January 22, 2023

Jorge Alfaro also won the MVP in the Dominican League finals as he goes on to compete for the Red Sox job (which is pretty wide open actually).

andyb 2023-02-02 17:20:04 UTC #76

Caribbean Series starts today. All on ESPN+. It has now expanded to 8 countries including even Curacao. Not sure if many Phillies are playing though the article does mention the Puerto Rican infielder we signed to a minor league contract a few weeks ago.