Padres Prospect Forum, 09-16 FEB

Get excited, Padres fans! The Winter Leagues formally ended this weekend, as the Caribbean Series and the Australian Baseball League both held their respective championships. This means that Spring Training officially begins this week! Let’s wrap up the winter league action from over the weekend.

Over in the Caribbean Series, the Dominican Republic defeated Venezuela, 9-3. The win gave the DR their 20th Caribbean Series championship, but just their first since 2012. The victory also represented a small piece of revenge, as Venezuela defeat the DR during the qualifying rounds. Recent Padres minor league signee, OF Abraham Almonte, had a heck of a game, going 3-4 (2B) with 1 R, 3 RBI, 1 BB, and 1 SB for the DR. Over on the Venezuelan side, no current Padres prospects or players took part, due to the late notice that the U.S. would exempt the Venezuelan League from sanctions only AFTER play began. However, former Padre Alexi Amarista did play, going 1-4.

Down in the Aussie League, Melbourne defeated Adelaide 6-2 on Saturday, winning the ABL Championship, 2 games to 0. Jarryd Dale, the last remaining Padres prospect still playing, did well in both games, goint 1-3 with 1 R and 1 BB in Game 1, then going 1-4 with 1 R and 2 Ks in Game 2.

Pitchers and catchers report this week on 12 FEB, with position players reporting on 16 FEB. The Padres will play their first game, as usual, against their complex-mates, the Seattle Mariners, next week on 22 FEB.

Welcome back, baseball. We missed you.