Off-season League Notes: Details on Franco, Bastardo, Galvis and more
Throughout the winter season, our weekly rundown reviews how Phillies players are performing in the various off-season leagues around the globe. Read ahead for the latest on many familiar names, some top prospects and plenty more.
Dominican Winter League…
3B/1B Maikel Franco– The young slugger slammed his second home run of the season last week. In 37 games the righty batting Franco has tallied a .237 average with seven doubles, two home runs, 12 RBI and three steals for the Gigantes. The 21-year-old had a standout 2013, mashing 31 homers and driving in 103 runs in 134 games with Class A Advanced Clearwater and Double-A Reading during the regular season.
LHP Antonio Bastardo– The 28-year-old has a 0-1 record with a 0.84 ERA ERA in 11 relief outings for the Gigantes. Through 10 2/3 innings, Bastardo has struck out 19 batters while walking two. In 48 big league games this year Bastardo sported a 3-2 record with two saves and a 2.32 ERA.
Catcher Tommy Joseph– The 22-year-old righty hitter has a .192 average with two doubles and two RBI through nine games for the Estrellas. Joseph missed considerable time with concussion related issues during the 2013 regular season and batted .179 in 36 minor league games. Joseph was a 2nd round draft selection by the Giants in 2009.
OF Leandro Castro– The 24-year-old sports a .237 average with five doubles and six RBI through 20 games for the Estrellas. In 117 games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year, the righty batting Castro tallied a .256 average with eight home runs and 55 RBI.
RHP Luis Garcia– The 26-year-old has a 1-0 record with a 3.12 ERA and a .185 batting average against through nine games for the Estrellas. In 24 games at three levels of the minors this year, Garcia posted a 3.73 ERA and a .237 batting average against.
RHP Hector Neris– The 24-year-old sports a 1-0 record along with a 2.45 ERA while striking out four and walking five in 7 1/3 innings pitched for the Toros. Neris posted a 6-4 record with a 4.55 ERA and a .241 batting average against in 46 games this year for Double-A Reading.
Venezuelan Winter League-
Shortstop Freddy Galvis– The 23-year-old is batting .302 with nine doubles, one triple, two home runs, 17 RBI and four stolen bases in 36 games for Zulia. The switch-hitting Galvis sported a .234 average with six home runs and 19 RBI in 70 big league games this year.
RHP Severino Gonzalez– The 21-year-old, who was honored as the Phils’ Paul Owens
Award winner this year, has posted a 0-1 record along with an 8.10 ERA and a .414 batting average against in four appearances for La Guaira. Gonzalez last pitched on November 22nd. In the regular season, Gonzalez posted a 7-5 record with a 2.00 ERA and a 10.33 K/9 mark in 25 games at three levels of the minors.LHP Mario Hollands– In four games (one start), the 25-year-old is sporting a 0.96 ERA with no decisions for La Guaira. Hollands has struck out nine batters and walked three in 9 1/3 innings. Hollands, the Phils’ 10th round draft selection from 2010, went 7-3 with a 2.86 ERA in 27 combined games with Clearwater and Reading this year.
LHP Cesar Jimenez– The 29-year-old has tallied a 0-1 record and a 4.70 ERA in seven appearances for Lara. Jimenez has struck out eight and walked four in 7 2/3 innings. In 19 big league games this year, Jimenez posted a 1-1 record along with a 3.71 ERA and a .226 batting average against.
Infielder Andres Blanco– The 29-year-old is 2-for-11 (.182 avg) in nine games with Magallanes. Blanco, who played with the Triple-A Iron Pigs in 2012, is a .255 hitter in 235 big league games. The switch-hitting Blanco was re-signed by the Phillies this off-season.
Mexican Winter League…
Catcher Sebastian Valle– The righty batting 23-year-old has hit safely in four straight games and has played some left field recently. Overall in 33 contests for Los Mochis, Valle is sporting a .258 average with seven doubles, a homer and four RBI. Valle posted a .203 batting average with 12 homers and 41 RBI in 98 games with Double-A Reading this year.
