Summary of the winter league: Mayaguez with the urgency to win and Santurce with a good start

The 2023-24 season of the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (LBPPR), The Mayaguez Indians are going through a negative start, causing a change of leader and moves in the squad in recent days.

The tribe plays with a 3-9 record, occupying the last position in the winter baseball standings, three games behind fourth place that belongs to the Criollos de Caguas.

The slow start on Sunday led to the departure of veteran leader Mako Oliveras, who had just won the title with the Sultana del Oeste team last season.

Oliveras was replaced by bench coach Wilfredo “Coco” Cordero. The former player debuted with a setback against RA12 and on Tuesday he will look for his first victory against Santurce in the continuation of the tournament.

During the losing streak, Mayaguez has had his bats turned off. Collectively, the Indians are hitting just .199, the worst average of the tournament.

Major leaguer Emmanuel Rivera is hitting .250 with two RBIs in 11 games.

To give the offense a boost, the Indians announced on Monday the signing of imported outfielder Joe Stewart. He played for the Tri-City Dust Devils, Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. He had a .244 season with 38 RBIs and 42 stolen bases in 119 games.

“He has a lot of speed. We understand that movements have to be made. You have to awaken the offensive, which is the weakness. We are positive that we are going to have an awakening“Hector Otero, general manager of the Indians, said to The new day.

Help arrives in December

Otero added that help in the offense will begin to arrive on December 1, when the Major League third baseman and first baseman reports. Edwin Rios. The player is scheduled to make his winter baseball debut on December 5, after the All-Star Game.

Ranger Chavez Young is due to arrive on the island on December 10, while brothers Richie and Josh Palacios should be on the team by the middle of that month.

Otero indicated that he has not had communication with the infielder Isan Diazacquired via exchange during the dead period.

“There is patience with urgency. There is no panic. We have left many runners in scoring position. Something I had not experienced doing this for so many years. I believe in the process and our players. You have to be patient,” said Otero.

Pitching has been a positive note for the Indians with a collective ERA of 3.18. Starter Miguel Martinez has had a workshop with 18.1 innings and 17 strikeouts, leading both statistics in the campaign.

Santurce goes ahead

On the other hand, the Cangrejeros de Santurce are going through a solid start, leaders of the competition with a record of 8-4, followed by the Leones de Ponce and Gigantes de Carolina, both with a record of 7-5.

The Crustaceans have the two best hitters so far this season in their ranks. Yariel Gonzalez hits .345 and Roy Morales hits .343. Santurce’s collective batting is .224, second behind the Giants (.232).

On the mound, veteran right-hander Adalberto Flores has not allowed a run in 13.2 innings. He has one victory in three outings with 10 strikeouts. Christian Lindsay-Young has also excelled with a 0.93 ERA in two outings.

Santurce also has the best closer. Andre Scrubb has a department-leading five saves.

Yadier and Caguas play for .500

In his debut as a manager in the LBPRC, the former star catcher of the Majors Yadier Molina has the Criollos de Caguas playing 6-6, fourth in the standings.

The greatest champions in the history of the league have Vimael Machin as an offensive leader, hitting the wood for .310. Jean Carlos Correabrother of Minnesota Twins star shortstop Carlos Correa, has stood out with a .286 average, accumulating 10 hits and four RBIs.

Ramirez shines with RA12

In its fourth season in winter ball, RA12 is going through a competitive start by playing 5-7.

His most outstanding player has been the pitcher Ruben Ramirez, who has three of the ninth’s five victories. He has accumulated 18.0 innings with a stingy 1.00 ERA with nine strikeouts. He was the effectiveness leader last season.

Carolina: with several leaders in batting average

Meanwhile, the Giants have, to date, four players among the top 10 hitters in the tournament.

The runners-up are led by Cuban Adeiny Hechavarria with .295. He is followed by rookie Edrick Felix with .293, as is shortstop Delvin Perez. Outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez hits 2.83.