Go to the 02:25 minute mark to see 1B Alexander Palma (that's where the often-RF played again in this game) walk off the opposition with a ground ball single up the middle in the 10th inning. The celebration with the big man is more entertaining than the hit itself.

Palma was 2-for-5 in the game, including two GIDP's. His OPS is up to .890 and he maintains his league-leading RBI total.



Prince Fielder celebration lookalike vibes, no?

***

The other league 1B/OF, Luis Castro, was back at his familiar 1B spot Thursday, 1-for-4, double, walk, his own OPS up to .841.

MiLB.com is not providing team stats this year, only individual, but yes, the league does appear to favor offense, best I can tell.

Friday 12/18:

Luis Castro, who has played some second base in both his affiliated and winter careers, started there.

This happened, which isn't ideal:

Margarita Bottom of the 3rd

Luis Castro singles on a ground ball to left fielder Alberth Martinez.
Diego Rincones pops out to first baseman Reynaldo Rodriguez.
Francisco Diaz grounds into a double play, shortstop Engelb Vielma to second baseman Yordan Manduley to first baseman Reynaldo Rodriguez. Luis Castro out at 2nd. Francisco Diaz out at 1st.

Magallanes Top of the 4th

Defensive Substitution: Kevin Maitan replaces second baseman Luis Castro, batting 7th, playing third base.

Hopefully he'll be back in a lineup soon.

***

Alexander Palma 1-for-4 in his game.

Saturday's action:

Alexander Palma 3-for-7 in a doubleheader, with two doubles, three runs scored and three RBI. Now with 22 RBI in 23 games, leading the Venezuelan League (next is 19).

Palma started one game at 1B, the other in RF.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHT: Palma finds a hole on the right side of the infield here.

***

In Puerto Rico, Gabriel Garcia was 0-for-2 as he seeks a groove there.

6'6" fireballing RHP Eddy Tavarez made a relief appearance, allowing an inherited runner to score. His team was down 2-1 at the time, the run pushed it to a 3-1 lead (and final score).

Mayaguez Top of the 7th

Jack Lopez flies out to center fielder Danny Mars.
Vicente Conde walks.
Pitching Change: Eddy Tavarez replaces Jason Garcia.
Henry Ramos singles on a ground ball to center fielder Danny Mars. Vicente Conde to 3rd.
Brett Rodriguez called out on strikes.
Kennys Vargas singles on a ground ball to shortstop Ozzie Martinez. Vicente Conde scores. Henry Ramos to 3rd.
Emmanuel Rivera strikes out swinging.

***

In Australia, Brisbane played their first two exhibition games, but no Brewers took part.

Now for your daily "El Tanque" update.

Alexander Palma, on Sunday, playing first base, 2-for-4 (double, walk, run scored, RBI).

OPS now up to .914, which somehow is only 18th in the league (did someone say offense-friendly)?

You can see Palma's double at the 04:50 minute mark here - sadly, other than the swing, not a lot of screen time for him in the clip. (His team lost, 14-5.)

Only action on Tue. 12/22:

VIDEO: Alexander Palma's go-ahead 8th inning single (1-for-4 in the game, played first base)

***

Puerto Rico:

Gabriel Garcia 0-for-1 (groundout), played second base.

Odrick Pitre 0-for-2, two K's, played third base.

Box score from Saturday in Venezuela where RF Alexander Palma was 0-for-4 (OPS "down" to .829) and his team lost 15-2.

But check out the three RHP's who combined for the winning club, all 2018 and/or 2019 Carolina Mudcats, all no longer in the system.

While Wuilder Rodriguez and Nelson Hernandez have struggled this winter, 27-year-old RHP Victor Diaz has been very good in six starts and tossed seven shutout innings here. If he keeps that up, that may catch the attention of MLB scouts.

***

In Puerto Rico, it was a brief, rough and wild relief outing for RHP Eddy Tavarez, who we touted in the prior post above.

Caguas Top of the 6th

Vimael Machin hit by pitch.
Noel Cuevas strikes out swinging.
Rey Fuentes doubles (2) on a ground ball to right fielder Johnathan Rodriguez. Vimael Machin to 3rd.
Trent Giambrone singles on a ground ball to right fielder Johnathan Rodriguez. Vimael Machin scores. Rey Fuentes scores.
Mound Visit.
Pitching Change: Eddy Tavarez replaces Pedro Garcia.
Throwing error by pitcher Eddy Tavarez on the pickoff attempt.
Jonathan Morales walks.
Wild pitch by pitcher Eddy Tavarez. Trent Giambrone scores. Jonathan Morales to 2nd.
Richie Martin walks.
Wild pitch by pitcher Eddy Tavarez. Jonathan Morales to 3rd. Richie Martin to 2nd.
Johneshwy Fargas lines out to third baseman Edwin Arroyo.
Mound Visit.
Pitching Change: Jose Alberro replaces Eddy Tavarez.
Jarren Duran walks.
Jose Miranda grounds out, catcher Juan Centeno to first baseman Alex Liddi.

***

LHP Leo Crawford (Knebel trade w/Dodgers) bounced back to post reasonable numbers after a rough start last time out in Nicaragua.

Box Score - 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 K

This league combines regular season and round-robin postseason stats, which is convenient.

Crawford's line after 25.1 innings can be found in the pitching section at his team's stat page.

Monday 12/28 in Venezuela:

A quiet day, Alexander Palma 0-for-3, two K's, played RF; Luis Castro 1-for-4, played 1B.

On a side note, old friend Hernan Perez leads the Venezuelan League in AVG/OBP/SLG .424/.514/.746 (OPS 1.260).

Tuesday 12/29:

Venezuela - Alexander Palma played first base, 1-for-4 (R, RBI) in his team's blowout win, OPS falls below .800 to .792

Puerto Rico - Gabriel Garcia played third base, 0-for-4 (three K's), now 5-for-34 on the season (no BB's, 14 K's). Despite the .147 average, he's managed to drive in seven on the season. Three of Garcia's five hits on the winter came on Opening Night.

Saturday 1/2:

Venezuela - 1B Luis Castro cools off for one night, 0-for-4, one K

Venezuela - 1B Alexander Palma 1-for-3, two walks, and this HR

***

Nicaragua - LHP Leo Crawford was very effective over six innings in a post-season win

***

Puerto Rico - RHP Eddy Tavarez efficient over two innings in his team's round-robin loss:

Mayaguez Bottom of the 6th

Pitching Change: Eddy Tavarez replaces Miguel A. Martinez.
Ivan De Jesus grounds out, third baseman Edwin Arroyo to first baseman Roy Morales.
T.J. Rivera called out on strikes.
Emmanuel Rivera walks.
Danny Ortiz strikes out swinging.

Mayaguez Bottom of the 7th
Xavier Fernandez pops out to shortstop Ozzie Martinez.
Christian Colon flies out to center fielder Danny Mars.
Jeremy Rivera grounds out to first baseman Roy Morales.

My Twitter thread on Monday evening's Australian doubleheader opener preview.

Watch live below at 6:00 PM CT and (approx.) 10:00 PM CT: