Last night, the All-Stars from the Dominican Winter League and the Venezuelan League squared off against each other, with the Dominican team securing an 8-2 victory. The Pirates organization was represented by one player on each side, infielder Alex Valdez for the Dominican team and pitcher Ryan Reid for Venezuela.
Valdez came in during the bottom of the fourth as a defensive replacement at first base. He later switched to shortstop to finish the game. While Valdez has played both of those positions during his career, his primary position has been third base throughout his nine-year career and he has also spent much more time at second base than the other two spots combined. Valdez singled in his first AB, then had a bases loaded RBI groundout an inning later, before finishing his night with another single.
Ryan Reid came in to pitch the fifth inning. He allowed a lead-off single, before inducing a double play groundball. Reid then allowed another single, before finishing the frame with a strikeout. The outing was typical of his performance in Winter ball this year. He is averaging just under a strikeout per inning, while posting an unreal 5.00 GO/AO ratio.
With three leagues off yesterday, Ali Solis was the only Pirates farmhand to play in a game that counts in the standings. He went 1-for-2, with a strikeout, before being pulled early during his team’s 9-1 blowout win. Solis was thrown out at the plate to end the fourth inning, then was replaced on defense during the next half inning.
Winter League Notes
The VWL resumes it’s schedule today, while the DWL begins again on Thursday night.
The Australian Baseball League resumes play tomorrow with Zac Fuesser on the mound for Adelaide. Due to the time differences, the recap of that game will be available for tomorrow morning’s recap.
If you missed it from yesterday, we posted updates on all of the Pirates Winter League news, including a list of players still currently on Winter League rosters. That can be viewed here.
