San Diego Padres Winter League Update #2
Credit: Toros de Este
Another week of off-season baseball has passed. This week really turned out to be a busy week for the San Diego Padres organization.
A couple of players were released and a few were added to the 40-man roster. Leonel Campos, who had been playing winter league ball, is no longer with the Padres, as he is now with the Toronto Blue Jays organization. The Jays put a claim in on Campos and signed him.
A few other players within the Friars’ organization also just played their first few games of winter ball. Let’s take a look at how your Friars are doing in some of the top baseball leagues in Latin America.
Alexi Amarista INF
“Little Ninja” is playing with his hometown Caribes de Anzoategui in the Venezuelan League. When we last checked in, Alexi only had five at bats with Caribes. Since then, Amarista has gotten a lot more playing time. Alexi now has 34 at bats under his belt in the LVBP. “Ninja” is doing well, gathering nine hits, two RBI, and a stolen base. Alexi has yet to get himself an extra base hit though. Hopefully, Amarista can keep on improving and continue to get more playing time.
Carlos Asuaje INF
The Venezuelan prospect has taken his talents to the Dominican Republic and is playing with the current champions of the LIDOM, Leones del Escogido. Asauje has now participated in 21 games with Leones and has yet to hit a home run. His RBI count has also stayed the same in these past couple of games, at 10. Unfortunately, Asauje’s BA is also down to .241 on the year. However, his OBP has increased from .325 to .333. Asauje has found ways to get on base this year, as he has been hit by a pitch three times and has also netted himself nine walks in 21 games.
Daniel Bravo 2B
The 21-year-old has not received any playing time since we last checked in with him. However, his ball club, Tigres de Aragua, has been busy, making a big trade with Navegantes del Magallanes that would include seven ball players. The Tigres would send Gioskar Amaya, Rayder Ascanio, Edgar Ibarra, and Luis Madero to Navegantes. The Tigres received former Giant Jean Machi, former Yankee Diego Moreno, and Padres prospect Jose Rondon. Yes, Bravo is now joined by fellow Padres Prospect Jose Rondon with Tigres de Aragua.
Gamboa has continued to get plenty of playing time with his hometown Caneros de Los Mochis in the Mexican Pacific League. Since we last checked in, Gamboa has improved in nearly everything. His BA has improved from .262 to .265. He also has netted himself two more RBI to put himself at eight on the season. His OBP also continues to rise, as it is now at .340. The 5-foot-7 Gamboa has even managed to hit his first home run of the season. If Gamboa continues to perform, he definitely deserves to be given a shot in the Padres minor league system in 2017.
Margot has had a big week with Toros del Este in the LIDOM. The potential future of this franchise just keeps on improving with the more playing time he gets. Manny has raised his BA from .256 to .267. He also hit another home run to put him at two on the season, and the speedy outfielder stole three more bases to put him at eight on the season. I can’t wait to see what Margot can do progressing from the LIDOM into the 2017 MLB season for the Padres.
Here’s one of the fresh faces that has just played his first few games this winter. Martinez has been with the Padres organization since 2010. An injury held the 25-year-old to just 11 games with the San Antonio Missions in 2016. Martinez has found success in the past, having a great 2015 season with the Missions. Martinez batted .276 with 11 home runs, 56 RBI, and a stellar .341 OBP in 129 games. Alberth is currently with Jose Rondon’s former team, Navegantes del Magallanes. In two games, Martinez has already manged to make an impact on the team. On November 25, Martinez drove in the winning run in walk-off fashion against rivals Caribes de Anzoategui to give Navegantes the 6-5 victory. It should be interesting to see what Martinez can do going forward in the LVBP.
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Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.