Progress Reports on All 30 MLB Teams' Top Prospects in Winter Ball

Although they usually don’t feature the same combination of big-ticket prospects and all-around depth as the Arizona Fall League, the various international winter leagues at least offer those of us going through offseason prospect withdrawal a temporary fix.

Compared to previous years, there are fewer top-ranked prospects participating in winter leagues this year. But as the countdown to spring training begins, it’s possible that more players will join the leagues as they look to get a head start on the 2014 season and hopefully improve their chances of making an Opening Day roster.

However, before next week’s winter meetings take center stage, I wanted to give an update on the performance of each team’s top prospect who has been playing in an offseason league.

For the sake of presentation, here is how the four main winter leagues will be identified in this article:

• Dominican Winter League (DWL)
• Mexican Winter League (MWL)
• Puerto Rican Winter League (PWL)
• Venezuelan Winter League (VWL)

Here are progress reports on all 30 MLB teams' top prospect in winter ball.

Teams Without Notable Prospects in Winter Leagues

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Unfortunately, there are several teams without a notable prospect playing in an offseason winter league:

Arizona Diamondbacks

Cincinnati Reds

Miami Marlins

Detroit Tigers

San Francisco Giants

Washington Nationals

Atlanta Braves

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Yenier Bello, C (Puerto Rican Winter League)

Stats: 13 G, 46 AB, .239/.286/.261, 2B, 2 BB, 5 K

The Cuban catcher was signed to a minor league contract over the spring, but he struggled to get all of his paperwork in order to come stateside. Once the deal was official, Bello, 29, managed to play in only 15 professional games, reaching the High-A level, before the end of the minor league regular season.

Bello has potential at the plate, hitting .274 with 13 homers in Cuba's La Serie Nacional back in 2011, but his path to the big leagues is very clogged in Atlanta behind Evan Gattis and Christian Bethancourt.

Playing in the Puerto Rican Winter League, Bello’s hit safely in six of the last 10 games, with eight hits and three RBI during that span.

Baltimore Orioles

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Rey Navarro, SS (PWL)

Stats: 24 G, 92 AB, .293/.343/.370, 5 XBH (HR), 13 RBI, 4 SB, 5 BB, 8 K

The Baltimore Orioles signed Navarro, a minor league free agent, to a one-year deal (major league contract) on Nov. 22, and he's expected to compete for a bench job next spring. The 24-year-old hit .282/.343/.435 in the Cincinnati Reds minor league system this past season, and he's widely regarded as a plus defensive shortstop.

Boston Red Sox

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Edwin Escobar, LHP (VWL)

Stats: 13 G, 11.2 IP, 3.86 ERA, .267 BAA, 6 BB, 9 K

Acquired from the San Francisco Giants in the Jake Peavy deal, Escobar, who was having a down year in the Pacific Coast League, made two appearances out of Boston's bullpen down the stretch, and he's continued to work as a reliever this offseason in Venezuela. The 22-year-old left-hander hasn’t been scored on in his last 5.1 innings (five appearances).

Rusney Castillo, OF (PWL)

Stats: 2 G, 4-for-8, K

Castillo made an immediate impact with the Red Sox in September, batting .333 with a pair of home runs and three stolen bases despite playing in only 10 games. The 27-year-old continued to showcase his impressive tools in the Arizona Fall League, though his time in the desert was cut short due a thumb injury.

Now healthy and playing in the PWL, Castillo is gearing up for what should be a full season in Boston’s outfield—one that will come with high expectations for the still-highest-paid Cuban player.

Chicago Cubs

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Christian Villanueva, 3B (Mexican Winter League)

Stats: 29 G, 92 AB, .272/.370/.500, 9 XBH (6 HR), 14 RBI, 14 BB, 17 K

The 23-year old Villanueva was demoted from Triple- to Double-A in order to clear third base for Kris Bryant this past season, but he fared better back in the Southern League, hitting .248/.310/.385 with 20 doubles and four home runs in 62 games.

Villanueva's power surge this offseason—six home runs through his first 92 at-bats—is encouraging, though he’s still probably at best a defense-first third baseman.

Cleveland Indians

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Erik Gonzalez, SS (DWL)

Stats: 4 G, 16 AB, .188, SB, 6 K

Gonzalez, 23, is enjoying his finest season as a professional, batting .309/.352/.428 with 34 extra-base hits and 21 stolen bases in 105 games between High-A Carolina and Akron. Unfortunately, Gonzalez has top prospect Francisco Lindor, as well as Jose Ramirez, blocking his path to the major leagues in Cleveland. However, having too many shortstops in one system is never a bad thing.

He just began playing in the Dominican Winter League on Nov. 28.

Giovanny Urshela, 3B (VWL)

Stats: 27 G, 108 AB, .398/.424/.556, 8 XBH (3 HR), 22 RBI, 5 BB, 13 K

Urshela, fresh off a breakout 2014 season in which he batted .280/.334/.491 with 18 home runs and 36 doubles between the Double- and Triple-A levels, was added to the 40-man roster in late November, thus protecting him from the Rule 5 draft.

The 23-year-old third baseman was tearing the cover off the ball for a month in the Venezuelan Winter League before suffering a knee injury. He'll be sidelined for the rest of the offseason but won't require surgery, and he's expected to be healthy in time for spring training.

Colorado Rockies

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Cristhian Adames, SS (DWL)

Stats: 35 G, 120 AB, .350/.422/.475, 8 XBH (HR), 13 RBI, 3 SB, 12 BB, 11 K

Adames, 23, has been in the Colorado Rockies system since 2007, but he only received his first taste of the major leagues this past season, collecting one hit in 15 at-bats (.067) while appearing in seven games.

Though he’ll always be viewed as a glove-first player, Adames has made offensive strides over the last two seasons in regard to making consistent contact from both sides of the plate. However, his ceiling will always be limited by his lack of power and speed.

But for what it's worth, Adames is currently leading all qualified hitters in the DWL with a .350 batting average through 35 games.

Chicago White Sox

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Carlos Sanchez, INF (VWL)

Stats: 17 G, 70 AB, .186/.240/.329, 6 XBH (2 HR), 5 BB, 11 K

Sanchez was the beneficiary of the Gordon Beckham trade last summer, as it gave the 22-year-old switch-hitter a chance to showcase his talents at the keystone. The key for Sanchez moving forward is whether he'll make enough quality contact to sustain a respectable batting average and on-base percentage, and he already has fellow second-base prospect Micah Johnson breathing down his neck.  

After a slow start in Venezuela, Sanchez has started to heat up in the last week, batting .320 with three doubles over his last six games.

Houston Astros

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Domingo Santana, OF (DWL)

Stats: 26 G, 74 AB, .270/.407/.405, 8 XBH (6 2B), 5 RBI, 13 BB, 29 K

Santana, 22, received two cups of coffee with the Houston Astros last season, but he'll enter 2015 still in search of his first major league hit after going 0-for-17 with 14 strikeouts.

His hit tool is still suspect due to his penchant for whiffing, but the right-handed batter’s power is legit and should translate to 20-plus home runs annually at the highest level. The good news is that Santana is still very young and will be given every opportunity to reach his potential.

Delino DeShields, OF (PWL)

Stats: 20 G, 67 AB, .224/.346/.269, 2 XBH, 8 SB, 11 BB, 15 K

One of the more intriguing eligible players in this year’s Rule 5 draft, DeShields batted .236/.346/.360 with 27 extra-base hits through 114 games in his first taste of the Double-A level.

Though his production was down, the 22-year-old’s speed has translated favorably at the higher level, as he ranked second in the Texas League with 54 stolen bases. Therefore, it wouldn't come as a complete surprise if a team popped him in the upcoming Rule 5 draft for that reason alone.

Teoscar Hernandez, OF (DWL)

Stats: 32 G, 78 AB, .231/.282/.359, 6 XBH (2 HR), 12 RBI, 4 SB, 5 BB, 28 K

The 22-year-old outfielder is coming off a breakout campaign in which he batted .292/.362/.535 with 67 extra-base hits (21 home runs) and 33 stolen bases in 119 games between High-A Lancaster—a hitter’s paradise—and Double-A Corpus Christi. While Hernandez’s power/speed numbers jump off the page, so does his 27.7 percent strikeout rate, which will have to come down for him to sustain his (High-A) California League production at more advanced levels.

The toolsy outfielder’s playing time has been limited of late, though he’s still managed to go 2-for-6 with four runs scored, one home run, one double and four RBI in his last four contests.

Kansas City Royals

Miguel Almonte, RHP (DWL)

Stats: 2 GS, 10 IP, 1.80 ERA, .125 BAA, 5 BB, 8 K

It’s turning out to be a busy offseason for Almonte. Having already posted a 2.84 ERA over 19 innings in the Arizona Fall League, the 21-year-old right-hander is now pitching for the Gigantes in the DWL. Granted, he’s logged only 29 total innings between both offseason leagues, and 139.1 on the year, but I’d expect the Kansas City Royals to shut him down at around 150, so a few more starts.

Los Angeles Angels

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Carlos Perez, C (VWL)

Stats: 29 G, 103 AB, .340/.369/.534, 13 XBH (3 HR), 15 RBI, 6 BB, 16 K

Perez, who was added to the Astros' 40-man roster shortly before he was dealt to the Angels, batted .259/.323/.385 with six home runs and 34 RBI over 88 games this past season in Triple-A. The 24-year-old has a chance to serve as Chris Iannetta's backup in 2015, though the Angels could add another catcher over the winter.

He’s having an overall strong season in Venezuela and has been an extra-base machine of late, with five doubles and a triple in his last 10 contests.

Los Angeles Dodgers

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Joc Pederson, OF (DWL)

Stats: 22 G, 83 AB, .265/.351/.361, 5 XBH (HR), 7 RBI, 3 SB, 10 BB, 33 K

Pederson won the Pacific Coast League MVP Award after batting .303/.435/.582 with 33 home runs and 30 stolen bases over 121 games this season. However, he failed to make an impact with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a September call-up, batting just .143 (4-for-28) but with a .351 on-base percentage while playing in 18 games.

It goes without saying that Pederson had a long season; thankfully, it came to end in late November after 22 games in the DWL. Now, the 22-year-old can set his sights toward spring training and, more importantly, winning a spot in the Dodgers' Opening Day outfield. 

Milwaukee Brewers

Orlando Arcia, SS (VWL)

Stats: 42 G, 164 AB, .274/.351/.482, 18 XBH (7 HR), 26 RBI, 18 BB, 21 K

Arcia, 20, turned in a breakout performance this year in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League, batting .289 with a .738 OPS, 38 extra-base hits and 31 stolen bases in 127 games. He continued to rake during his first few weeks in the VWL, collecting all of his 18 extra-base hits over his first 124 at-bats (32 games). Since then, however, the right-handed hitter has cooled off, with nine singles in his last 10 contests.

Jorge Lopez, RHP (PWL)

Stats: 6 GS, 26 IP, 1.73 ERA, .247 BAA, 8 BB, 25 K

A second-round draft pick in 2011 out of Puerto Rico, Lopez is a 6’4” right-hander with a 91-93 mph fastball, 78-79 curveball and 87 mph changeup, and at 21, he still has plenty of room left to develop. After an impressive season in the Florida State League—he also pitched for the World team in the SiriusXM All-Stars Futures Game—Lopez has continued to make strides this offseason in Puerto Rico.

The 21-year hasn’t allowed more than one earned run in any of his six starts, and he’s coming off a (PWL) season-high six strikeouts in his latest outing.

Minnesota Twins

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Jorge Polanco, SS/2B (DWL)

Stats: 13 G, 52 AB, .327/.397/.462, 4 XBH (HR), 3 SB, 6 BB, 11 K

Jorge Polanco, a 21-year-old switch-hitter, spent most of last season between High-A Fort Myers and Double-A New Britain, batting .288/.353/.395 with 36 extra-base hits, 17 stolen bases and an 88-55 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 131 games. He also unexpectedly made his big league debut with the Minnesota Twins in late July and picked up a double and triple in six at-bats.

Meanwhile, the switch-hitter has shown signs of heating up lately in the Dominican Winter League, with four extra-base hits (two triples) in his last four games.

Polanco will likely spend most of the 2015 season in the minor leagues, though injuries at either middle-infield position could also open the door for him earlier than expected.

New York Mets

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Rafael Montero, RHP (DWL)

5 GS, 22.0 IP, 3.68 ERA, .238 BAA (2 HR), 7 BB, 17 K

Montero, 24, scuffled during his first five starts in the major leagues last season, allowing eight home runs in 25 innings en route to a 6.12 ERA. However, the right-hander concluded the regular season with a 1.40 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 19.1 innings in his final three starts and the two relief appearances that came between.

Now pitching in the Dominican Winter League, Montero’s latest start was easily his best of the offseason, as the right-hander scattered three hits and a walk over 6.1 scoreless innings, striking out four.

Montero should be in the running for an Opening Day rotation spot next spring, though it'll be stiff competition.

New York Yankees

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Jose Pirela, 2B (VWL)

Stats: 30 G, 116 AB, .319/.378/.595, 18 XBH (5 HR), 18 RBI, 9 BB, 17 K

Pirela made a strong impression on the New York Yankees as a September call-up, as the 25-year-old’s knack for making contact resulted in a .333 average in 24 at-bats. This, of course, came on the heels of a .305/.351/.441 batting line with 10 homers, 60 RBI and 15 stolen bases over 130 games this season in Triple-A.

In Pirela and prospect Rob Refsnyder, the Yankees have a couple of interesting and cheap second base options for next year. Plus, they could always put Martin Prado there, though Prado would likely move to third if Alex Rodriguez gets hurt. 

Oakland Athletics

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Renato Nunez, 3B (VWL)

Stats: 28 G, 96 AB, .281/.368/.458, 9 XBH (4 HR), 22 RBI, 11 BB, 28 K

The Oakland A’s recently added Nunez to their 40-man roster, protecting him from December's Rule 5 draft. The 20-year-old third baseman hit .279/.336/.517 with 29 home runs and 96 RBI in 124 games this past season in High-A ball. He also played for the World team is this year’s SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.

Though he hasn’t played since Nov. 18, Nunez made the most of his time in the VWL, hitting for both average and power while posting numbers that reflected his production at hitter-friendly High-A Stockton during the regular season.

Philadelphia Phillies

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Maikel Franco, 3B (DWL)

Stats: 16 G, 56 AB, .179/.190/.214, 2 2B, 22 RBI, 5 BB, 13 K

Maikel Franco’s second-half surge in Triple-A last year convinced the Philadelphia Phillies he was ready to be challenged at the highest level, so they called him up Sept. 1 for the final month of the regular season. However, Franco’s hot bat—one that produced 31 home runs in 2013—didn’t carry over to The Show, as he batted just .179 (10-for-56) with 13 strikeouts while appearing in 16 games.

The good news is Franco’s showing more consistent power this winter in the Dominican Republic, as he’s currently tied for the league lead with seven home runs. Expect him and Cody Asche to compete for third base next spring, though a platoon situation is a more realistic scenario.

Jesse Biddle, LHP (PWL)

Stats: 2 GS, 5.1 IP, 10 H, 9 ER, 4 BB, 7 K

Biddle rebounded late in the season, both mentally and physically, and rediscovered feelings of success back in Double-A. However, it was still a forgettable year for the 23-year-old left-hander, as he posted a 5.03 ERA with 44 walks in 82.1 innings spanning 16 starts while repeating Double-A.

While he was added to the 40-man roster last month, Biddle was sent home from Puerto Rico on Nov. 11 after two starts to have his elbow examined. The Phillies were believed to be acting cautiously, as expected, but there also hasn’t been an update on his injury in over a month.

Pittsburgh Pirates

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Willy Garcia, OF (DWL)

Stats: 29 G, 97 AB, .258/.298/.433, 11 XBH (3 HR), 8 RBI, 6 BB, 25 K

Willy Garcia’s power has translated at every level, as evidenced by his career-high 50 extra-base hits in his first Double-A campaign this past season, but unfortunately, so has brutal plate discipline. Over the last two seasons, the 22-year-old outfielder has struck out more than 31 percent of the time while walking at just a 4.9 percent clip.

With age and raw power working in Garcia’s favor, the Pittsburgh Pirates decided to add him to the team’s 40-man roster in November, protecting him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. Meanwhile, Garcia has been holding his own down in the Dominican Winter League and swinging a hot bate of late, with a .316 batting average and two home runs (but also 11 strikeouts) over the last six games.

Elias Diaz, C (VWL)

Stats: 5 G, 3-for-16, 2B, 3 K

Diaz already had an impressive AFL campaign, showcasing game-changing tools behind the plate as well as a solid bat. But after playing in only 116 games between the regular and fall seasons, the Pirates are having the 24-year-old backstop gain further experience in the VWL. Expect the club to give Diaz a long look next spring, especially with the team’s catching scenario currently operating on a year-to-year basis.

San Diego Padres

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Rymer Liriano, OF (DWL)

Stats: 27 G, 86 AB, 5 XBH (3 HR), 10 RBI, 6 BB, 18 K

Liriano received a healthy taste of the major leagues in 2014, playing in 38 games for the Padres over the final months of the regular season. The 23-year-old right fielder had his bright spots; but after tallying 48 extra-base hits in 115 games in the minors before his call-up, Liriano noticeably struggled to drive the ball against big league pitching, finishing the season with just two doubles and one run home run over more than 100 at-bats.

I wouldn’t worry though; the tools are still loud and he’s always been a guy who’s needed time to adjust to more advanced levels. Meanwhile, Liriano’s power has been on display in the Dominican Winter League, with two home runs and a .645 slugging percentage over his last 10 games.

Cory Spangenberg, 2B/3B (DWL)

Stats: 4 G, 16 AB, .313, 2 2B, 6 K

Cory Spangenberg missed over two months this season, from mid-April to late June, but the 23-year-old swung a hot bat upon returning to Double-A San Antonio, batting .343/.378/.494 with 24 extra-base hits (seven triples) and 11 stolen bases in 54 games.

Though he was drafted as a second baseman—No. 10 overall in the 2011 draft—Spangenberg has become a utility player over the last year, also seeing time in the outfield as well as at the hot corner. The versatility helped Spangenberg reach the major leagues last September, and he responded to the challenge by batting .290 with nine RBI over 20 games.

Meanwhile, he’s gotten off to a hot start with five hits (two doubles) through four games in the Dominican.

Jose Rondon, SS (VWL)

Stats: 21 G, 45 AB, .244/.261/.311, 3 2B, SB, BB, 11 K

Rondon was seeing semi-regular playing time during the first half of November, but since then he’s served primarily as a late-inning replacement and hasn’t logged an at-bat since Nov. 17.

Seattle Mariners

Ketel Marte, SS (DWL)

Stats: 4 G, 9 AB, .111, RBI, B, 2 K

The 21-year-old switch-hitter received aggressive assignments to Double-A and Triple-A this season, and he opened eyes at both levels while batting a combined .304/.335/.411 with 42 extra-base hits and 29 stolen bases over 128 games. The Seattle Mariners recently added him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

Chris Taylor and Brad Miller will likely keep Marte in the minors next season, though his age and track record at an up-the-middle position—not to mention the Mariners’ lack of patience with certain players—certainly bode well for his future.

This offseason, Marte is receiving roughly a start per week for the Gigantes in the DWL, which explains why he’s appeared in only four games.

St. Louis Cardinals

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Xavier Scruggs, 1B (DWL)

Stats: 28 G, 105 AB, .257/.352/.476, 13 XBH (5 HR), 19 RBI, 14 BB, 28 K

A 19th-round draft pick back in 2008, Scruggs clubbed 20-plus home runs—his career-high is 29 and came in 2013 at Double-A Springfield—in five consecutive minor league seasons before joining the St. Louis Cardinals for a cup of coffee (3-for-15) in September. He’s 27 and limited defensively, but the power is legit.

More importantly, his bat has developed enough in recent years to the point where his power should be sustainable, even if only in a platoon against left-handed pitchers.

Breyvic Valera, OF/2B (VWL)

Stats: 6 G, 27 AB, .296/.345/.407, 3 2B, SB, 2 BB, 5 K

Valera solidified his prospect stock with a quietly impressive 2014 season between the High- and Double-A levels, as the athletic switch-hitter combined to bat .313/.361/367 with 17 stolen bases and more walks (40) than strikeouts (35).

Since he’s still realistically at least a year away from holding a role in the major leagues, the Cardinals opted not to add Valera to the 40-man roster last month, making him eligible for the upcoming Rule 5 draft.

Tampa Bay Rays

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Andrew Velazquez, SS (PWL)

Stats: 23 G, 90 AB, .278/.327/.356, 3 XBH, 8 RBI, 5 SB, 6 BB, 23 K 

Velazquez was traded last month to the Tampa Bay Rays along with Justin Williams in exchange for right-hander Jeremy Hellickson. The 20-year-old infielder was a seventh-round selection of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2012 draft. He had a terrific season offensively at Class-A South Bend, slashing .290/.367/.428 with nine homers, 56 RBI and 50 stolen bases, and he also famously set a new single-season on-base streak (72 games) in the minor leagues.

However, the switch-hitter has scuffled of late in the PWL, as he’s hitting just .162 with 14 strikeouts in his last 37 at-bats. I guess he's allowed to be tired, right?

Alex Colome, RHP (DWL)

Stats: 4 GS, 17.0 IP, 4.76 ERA, .262 BAA, 9 BB, 13 K

Colome had a shaky first outing in the DWL (1.1 IP, 5 ER, 3 BB), but since then the right-hander has pitched to a 2.30 ERA with 12 strikeouts over his last three starts.

The 25-year-old pitched well in the major leagues in 2014, posting a 2.66 ERA over 23.2 innings, and could be the biggest beneficiary of the offseason Jeremy Hellickson trade.

Texas Rangers

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Nomar Mazara, OF (DWL)

Stats: 15 G, 34 AB, .294/.415/.441, 3 XBH (HR), 6 RBI, 6 BB, 12 K

Nomar Mazara made the jump directly to Double-A Frisco this season after posting an .828 OPS with 19 home runs while repeating the Low-A level. The 19-year-old outfielder impressed during his 24 games in the Texas League, batting .306/.381/.518 with 11 extra-base hits and 16 RBI.

On the season, the 6'4", 195-pound left-handed hitter batted .271/.362/.478 with 22 home runs, 28 doubles, 89 RBI and a 121-66 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 130 games.

Mazara hasn’t played in the DWL since November 14, but he is still listed as active on the Tigres roster.

Toronto Blue Jays

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A.J. Jimenez, C (PWL)

Stats: 21 G, 64 AB, .359/.414/.500, 8 XBH (7 2B), 10 RBI, 6 BB, 7 K

Jimenez is batting .353/.405/.529 with four doubles and six RBI over his last nine starts, and he’s now hit safely in eight straight contests. The 24-year-old is already on the Toronto Blue Jays’ 40-man roster, and there’s a chance he sees time as Russell Martin’s backup—potentially a great learning experience for Jimenez—should the team trade either Dioner Navarro or Josh Thole.