LIDOM playoff action rolled on last night as three contests took place in the DR.
The Estrellas and Gigantes battled all night in a double header affair that were each decided by only one run.
Estrellas Orientales (8) vs Gigantes del Cibao (9)
Estrellas Orientales
One of my favorite under the radar prospects in LIDOM this season is Jeremy Pena (HOU). The 23 year old shortstop continued his torrid pace this winter with another 2-5 night out of the leadoff spot in the opener of the double header. Pena is now slashing an impressive .305/.398/.432 on the season. Pena has certainly taken advantage of his opportunities this winter and flashed his 50 grade hit tool. Pena also possesses above average speed and has used his 55 grade run tool to swipe six bases this winter. With Carlos Correa’s contract expiring at the end of the 2021 season, we could be getting an early look at the heir to the shortstop position in Houston.
Speaking of torrid paces, lately Lewin Diaz (MIA) has been absolutely mashing. This week the Marlins’s young slugger has abused LIDOM pitching going deep twice in as many days Sunday and Monday night. While Gigantes pitching kept him in the ballpark last night. Diaz still managed two extra base hits, one for extra bases, and 3 RBI. One thing to note about Lewin Diaz’s approach this winter. From the film I have seen, Diaz is holding his hands higher in his stance this winter than he previously had. It will be interesting to keep an eye on this as he travels back north for Spring Training in just a couple months.
Francisco Mejia (SD) has had a very pedestrian LIDOM season thus far, but did manage to find his way on base twice last night and contribute two runs to the Orientales tally. The Padres had high hopes for their young catcher, but it seems his future at the position is slowly fading as Luis Campusano continues to make a name for himself in the minor leagues.
Gigantes del Cibao
For the Gigantes, Ronald Guzman (TEX) continued his wreckage of LIDOM pitching, adding to his home run total yet again. The first baseman, with seven bombs, now only trails the all time LIDOM leader in home runs, Juan Francisco, on the leaderboard this winter.
Kelvin Gutierrez (KC) also contributed a long ball of his own and added three hits to his ledger in the Gigantes’s narrow win on Tuesday night. In 49 at bats, the 26 year old is now slashing an absurd .388/.492/..612 this winter. It will be interesting to keep an eye on him this winter too to see if he can earn a spot on the big club in Kansas City.
Pirates prospect, ONeil Cruz (PIT), only had one plate appearance as a pinch hitter last night and was issued a free pass.
Estrellas Orientales (5) vs Gigantes del Cibao (4)
Estrellas Orientales
The destruction of LIDOM did not stop for Jeremy Pena (HOU) after his 2-5 performance in the night’s opener. The young shortstop went on to casually string together a 4-4 performance in the nightcap that included an extra base hit, two RBI, and two runs scored.
Lewin Diaz (MIA) finally cooled down a bit in the nightcap taking an 0-3 with a K at the dish.
Gigantes del Cibao
The noteworthy performances for the Gigantes again came from the usual suspects.
Ronald Guzman (TEX) put up a 2-4 night, boosting his average to .361 on the winter ball season.
Kelvin Guitierrez (KC) continued to rake, piecing together another two-hit performance with a run scored.
ONeil Cruz (PIT) had a hit of his own last night as the 22-year old continued to inch his average upwards as the season winds down. On the downside, Cruz did strike out again, showing his plate discipline is still his kryptonite at this point in his career.
Aguilas Cibaenas (3) vs Tigres del Licey (8)
Aguilas Cibaenas
For the Cibaenas, it was the veterans that came to play last night.
Former major leaguer, Rangel Ravelo, continued his impressive LIDOM campaign with a 2-5 night that boosted his average over the .300 mark for the winter.
Melky Cabrera contributed a hit and was on base twice in the Cibaenas’s loss last night.
The only extra base hit came from Isaias Tejada, 29-year old free agent.
Tigres del Licey
The Tigres dominated offensively last night, tallying 10 hits, five for extra bases.
Catcher, Yermin Mercedes (CHW), stuffed the box score last night with two hits - one for extra bases - three runs, and a base on balls. With James McCann now with the Mets, we could potentially see the 27-year old backup Yasmani Grandal in Chicago next season. The backstop has put together a nice season in LIDOM slashing .276/.326/.368 with two long balls and 16 RBI - good for second most in the league.
The story of the night was Narciso Crook (CIN). The 25-year old outfielder blasted three home runs last night in the Tigres’s route of the Cibaenas. Crook was selected in the 23rd round in 2013, out of Trenton High School in New Jersey. With an already crowded Reds outfield, and pedestrian minor league stats thus far, it is doubtful we see the young outfielder in Cincinnati any time soon, but I am sure this one felt good for Crook.