The winter leagues are winding down.  Fewer players are playing as teams are being eliminated.  All players should be home or headed home with the conclusion of the ABL in 2 weeks.

Australian Baseball League – The ABL completed their regular season today. Brian Pointer’s Perth Heat have advanced to the first playoff round.  Two wins in next weekend’s 3-game series will send them into the final round.

Brian Pointer went 2 for 14 in 4 games with 2 BB, 4 K, and 1 SB.  His Perth Heat finished in second place with a 28-20 record. His final slash through 43 games and 153 AB is .222/.326/.386/.711 with 7 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, and 14 RBI. His K rate is 34.6% and his BB rate is 12.6%.

Mitch Walding went 5 for 19 in 5 games with a 4 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 6 K, and 1 R.  His final slash through 41 games and 150 AB is .233/322/.353/.675 with 10 2B, 2 HR, and 22 RBI. His K rate is 25.3% and his BB rate is 10.2%.

Dylan Cozens went 8 for 18 in 5 games with 3 2B, HR, 4 BB, 3 K, 4R, 4 RBI, 4 for 4 SB, and 1 OF assist.  His final slash through 45 games and 161 AB is .255/.326/.478/.804 with 12 2B, 8 HR, 23 RBI. His K rate is 25.5% and his BB rate is 9.0%.

Chace Numata went 1 for 17 in 5 games with 2 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB, and 2 K. He threw out 3 of 11 attempted steals. His final slash through 45 games and 174 AB is .259/.293/.322/.615 with 8 2B, 1 HR, and 22 RBI. His K rate is 10.9% and his BB rate is 4.9%.

Dominican Winter League

Maikel Franco’s Gigantes beaten Luis Garcia’s Estrellas 5 games to 3 games in the best-of-nine championship series. Franco drove in the championship clinching game’s first run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning.  He pushed the lead to 6-0 with a grand slam in the second inning. He finished the game 3 for 4, 2 R, 2 HR, 7 RBI.

Maikel Franco played in 7 games and was a modest 9 for 30 with 3 R, 2 2B, 3 HR 8 RBI and 3 K. He committed his 7th error, a fielding error at first.

Luis Garcia pitched 3.1 innings in 3 appearances. He allowed 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 3/3 GO/FO, and faced 13 batters.

Mexican Winter League

Manuel Chavez‘ Mexicali team blew a 3 games to 2 lead in the semi-final best-of-seven series.  However, it was through no fault of Chavez.  He made 2 appearances and pitched 1.0 total inning.  He struck out both batters he faced and picked an inherited runner off first.  Of the 11 pitches he threw, 9 were for strikes.  In all, he stranded all 3 of the runners he inherited.

Puerto Rican Winter League

Jesmuel Valentin’s  Mayaguez team is tied 2 games apiece in the championship series.  Valentin has  seen more action this week.  In 5 games at second base, he went 5 for 18 with 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB and 3 K.

Venezuelan Baseball League

The VWL completed their 5-team round robin.  Willians Astudillo’s Caribes advanced to the championship series.  Astudillo played games at first and in left field.  He went 1 for 6 with 1 2B, 1 RBI, and 1 K.  He commited an error on a throw from left to third.

Odubel Herrera’s LaGuaira team did not advance.  He did not play in any of his team’s games this week.

Freddy Galvis’ Zulia team also did not advance.  He played in 2 of his team’s final 4 games and went 1 for 8 with 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 K, and 1 SB.

Elvis Araujo is also on Zulia. He made 1 appearance and walked the only batter he faced.  The inheriting pitcher allowed the runner to come around and score.