Major League Baseball is over for 2019, but professional baseball is not. The winter leagues in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Venezuela are all going on right now. And the ones in Puerto Rico and Australia begin soon. In the Dominican Winter League The Punisher is getting ready to begin his winter league play. Juan Nova Jr, who worked for the Tigres del Licey posted some video Aristides Aquino taking batting practice on Friday afternoon. Hector Gomez noted that he will begin playing next week.
#ThePunisher ???? Aristides Aquino pic.twitter.com/Vx6yoQHf1Z
— Juan Nova Jr????? (@JuanNovaJr) November 8, 2019
This will likely be the first year where Aristides Aquino has spent playing on a daily basis in the Dominican Winter League. He first appeared in the league in 2015 with Escogido. He only played in one game that year. In 2016 he made it into three games, but he only managed to get three at-bats, going 1-3. During the 2017 season he saw more playing time – getting into 24 games and going 9-42 with Escogido. Last season he spent time with Licey for the first time, but only played in eight games, going 4-17. This year, with 200+ plate appearances in the Major Leagues and one heck of a 2019 season behind him – look for him to play nearly every day for Licey.
While The Punisher hasn’t started playing yet, several of the Reds prospects are – and some of them had nice showings on Friday night. Brian O’Grady just started play this week with Aguilas Cibaenas. Last night he started as their designated hitter, going 1-3 with 2 walks, a double, and he scored a run. Alfredo Rodriguez started at shortstop for Estrellas Orientales and went 2-5 with a double and 2 runs. He’s now hitting .322/.375/.339 through 17 games and 59 at-bats. Jose Siri had himself another good night, too. Starting in center for the Gigantes del Cibao, he went 2-3 with a walk, 2 steals, and he scored 2 runs.
Reds minor league Israel Lantigua suspended
Minor League Baseball announced three players were suspended for failed drug tests on Friday. One of those players was Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Israel Lantigua. The 20-year-old has spent the last three seasons – his only seasons as a pro – in the Dominican Summer League. Last season he posted a 6.00 ERA in 30.0 innings with 35 walks and 25 strikeouts.
If u don’t think there’s still an enormous drug problem in baseball- u willfully choose to be blind to it
My deepest condolences to you. There is a special bond between a man and his dog. Hang in there. There will be hundreds of times you will look over to the places he hung out expecting to see him and he won’t be there. It just kills you. Take care. Sending you strength for those tough days.
Pasta Rodriguez has been making major strides, over the last year. He adjusted to AA, but failed to adjust to AAA. It’s nice to see him heating up in the Winter Leagues now.
Between him and Doug’s favorite prospect (Garcia), I think we will have a legit SS by 21. I’d see if we can sign DD on a 1 to 2 year deal in the mean time.