The Venezuelan Summer League kicks off today. For the most part the prospects involved will never register on a prospect radar. But some will show up immediately and other will surface in a year or two after a strong season in the GCL or Williamsport. Despite rumors that the Seattle Mariners were pulling out of Venezuela it looks like it will be a 5 team league again, so the lack of talent will skew the statistics, so don’t read too much into them. Here is the roster they will be starting with:
Pitchers:
Abdallah Aris, Gustavo Armas, Jesus Arroyo, Miguelangel Bastidas, Luis Carrasco, Jose Diaz, Oberdan Diaz, Orlando Freites, Reiwal Gonzalez, Tanis Lara, Mauricio Llovera, Orangel Lopez, Denny Martinez, Orestes Melendez, Williams Mendoza, Carlos Salazar. Victor Sobil, Sergio Velis, Freddy Zorrilla
Catchers:
Adrian Acosta, Rafael Gamboa, Lenin Rodriguez
Infielders:
Damaso Gonzaelz, Jesus Henriquez, Jhon Meison Herrera, Willerker Isava, Joseph Miranda, David Pereira, Raul Rivas
Outfielders:
Juan Avilla, Enger Jimenez, Luis Mendoza, Yorbys Tabares
Notes and Thoughts:
- Freddy Zorrilla has spent the last 3 years as a right fielder for the VSL Phillies, even hitting .299/.364/.426 in 2013, but the 20 year old never really got a feel for the strikezone, he will try again from the other side as a RHP
- The VSL Phillies have 4 players born in 1998 – Lenin Rodriguez, Williams Mendoza, Jesus Henriquez, Jhon Meison Herrera
- Lenin Rodriguez signed for $300,000 this past July, he spent spring training in Florida. He has good feel as a hitter, but the struggles as a receiver
- I know nothing about Williams Mendoza other than he is 6’7″ 200lb and just turned 17 this April
Other then c Lenin Rodriguez….is there anyone else who could be considered a prospect down the road or someone who should be watching?
No one who jumps out as a now prospect to watch, but the key is that a lot of these kids are 17 and 18, a lot can happen physically. No one knew about Edubray Ramos, Ricardo Pinto, or Severino Gonzalez when they were in the VSL
What happens to the two bugger vz.signings kast July A.GAMBOA and BRITO? Lenin the Catcher. Will Both be in GCLPhillies inUSA? Gary B. Deptford, N.J.
Gamboa, Brito, and Arauz will all be in the GCL, Brito probably will be primarily at 2B