While he wasn’t on the opening day roster for Licey, the rosters change almost daily in the Dominican Winter League, and Vladimir Gutierrez was on the active roster on Tuesday night. The right-handed pitcher got the start against the Gigantes del Cibao in Licey’s 4th game of the year.
Things didn’t get out to the most ideal start for the Cincinnati Reds prospect. Vladimir Gutierrez dropped a 2-1 fastball in the middle of the plate to the best prospect on the planet, 18-year-old Wander Franco, who crushed it for a leadoff home run. After that, though, Gutierrez took care of business. He would throw 59 pitches on the day, completing 3.2 innings in his start. Over that span he allowed just two more hits and no runs beyond the leadoff homer.
Gutierrez wasn’t the only Reds prospect in the game, though. Narciso Crook, who spent most of his season as a teammate with Gutierrez in Triple-A Louisville this season, made his 2019 winter league debut with Licey, too. He started the game in left field, and would move over to right field after Ryan McBroom was replaced late in the game.
Revive el primer hit de Narciso Crook en su carrera de @LIDOMRD. ¡Felicidades, Narciso ?! #ElGlorioso pic.twitter.com/YH6M4A2Bns
— Tigres del Licey (@TigresdelLicey) October 16, 2019
Blake Trahan didn’t play in the game. But he was added to the roster for Licey on Tuesday afternoon. The entire Tigres del Licey organization has some Cincinnati Reds feel to it. Beyond the players, several coaches also have Reds ties. Joel Noboa is the hitting coach for Licey. He’s also the Cincinnati Reds Latin American Field Coordinator. Luis Terrero is simply listed as “coach” by Licey. This past season he was the hitting coach for the Greeneville Reds. Former Red D’Angelo Jimenez is also a coach on the staff.
As noted, Licey was taking on the Gigantes del Ciboa. They featured a Reds prospect in the game – Andy Sugilio. He got the start in center field and hit 9th. He made it count, turning the lineup over with three hits – all singles – in four at-bats. He also scored a run. Sugilio appeared as a pinch runner on Monday, but Tuesday saw him get his first time in the field and in the batters box.
Alfredo Rodriguez was back in the lineup for Estrellas Orientales on Tuesday night as they took on the Leones del Escogido. Rodriguez started at shortstop and went 1-3 with an RBI in the game. Former Reds prospect and one of strange lore, Wirfin Obispo also pitched in the game.