myworldofbaseball

Since there was no 2020 minor league season there has not been a lot of change in the Colombian prospects. They would probably be the same players as last year with some minor changes. So rather than regurgitate the same details on the players from last year I will just list them in the same order as 2020 and mention any changes. Myworld has added new signings for teams for players from Colombia who might crack the list next year. There were no graduations for players from the list last year.

1. Luis Patino RHP (Rays) - He was traded from the Padres to the Rays in the Blake Snell trade. He was the only player that played in the 2020 season, appearing in 11 games with one start. He walked 14 in 17.1 innings resulting in a 5.19 ERA.

2. Ronaldo Hernandez C (Red Sox) - Traded from the Rays to the Red Sox in a minor trade.

3. Jhon Torres OF (Cardinals)

4. Jordan Diaz 3B (Athletics)

5. Santiago Florez RHP (Pirates)

6. Brayan Buelvas OF (Athletics)

7. Fabian Pertuz SS (Cubs)

8. Luis Escobar RHP (Free Agent) - One of a number of minor league players released by the Pirates after it was learned there would be no minor league season. Still a free agent.

9. Reiver San Martin LHP (Reds)

10. Ezequil Zabaleta RHP (Rays) - Taken by the Rays from the Mets in the AAA portion of the Rule V draft.

Teams that have signed players from Colombia in 2019 to 2021 based on Baseball America.

Baltimore Orioles - Ricardo Rivera C

Cincinnati Reds - Juan Garcia C, Andruw Salcedo C

Cleveland Indians - Angel Contreras SS

Detroit Tigers - Randy Perea OF

Los Angeles Dodgers - Isaac Barreto OF, Jean Carlos Herrera RHP

New York Mets - Isaac Lechuga SS, Mike Ibarguen OF, Juan Pacheco LHP

New York Yankees - Jesus Bravo C

Oakland Athletics - Jazmed Diaz OF

Philadelphia Phillies - Jackie Pertuz C

Pittsburgh Pirates - Jose Garces RHP, Diego Chiquillo LHP

San Francisco Giants - Angel Polo C, Jose Ramos SS

St. Louis Cardinals - Brayan Ramirez RHP

Texas Rangers - Elian Lozano C

The Dominicans downed the defending champion Puerto Rico 4-1 for the Series del Caribe 2021 championship. After a lead off double by Ramon Torres Puerto Rican pitcher Hector Hernandez retired the next 14 hitters, including striking out the side in the fourth to up his strike out numbers to seven. With two out in the fifth Johan Camargo slugged a solo homerun to tie the ball game 1-1.

Anthony Maldanado replaced Hernandez in the sixth and the Dominicans answered with two more runs. Juan Lagares, who just signed a minor league contract, continued his hot hitting with an RBI double. Ronald Guzman delivered a clutch two out single to drive in the second run of the inning and raise the Dominican lead to 3-1. Guzman would strike again with a solo shot in the eighth.

Jumbo Diaz came on in the ninth to retire the side and pick up the save.

The 2021 Caribbean All Star team is below:

Catcher - Yadier Molina (Puerto Rico)
First Base - Ronald Guzman (Dominican Republic)
Second Base - Robinson Cano (Dominican Republic)
Third Base - Jordan Diaz (Colombia)
Shortstop - Jonathan Arauz (Panama)
Outfield - Juan Lagares (Dominican Republic), Melky Cabrera (Dominican Republic) and Jarren Duran (Puerto Rico)
Designated Hitter - Jessie Castillo (Mexico)
Starting Pitcher - Carlos Martinez (Dominican Republic)
Relief Pitcher - Jumbo Diaz (Dominican Republic)
Manager - Felix Fermin (Dominican Republic)

The round robin has identified the final four to play for the Series del Caribe championship. They will compete in a single elimination tournament. Colombia and Venezuela have been eliminated. The number one seed and undefeated Dominican Republic will go against the number four seed Panama. Puerto Rico will play against Mexico.

Puerto Rico 9 Panama 8

Panama came out charging scoring five runs in the top of the first off Jason Garcia, who could only retire two batters. He gave up five hits and walked two. Jarren Duran opened the bottom of the first with a homerun and the Puerto Ricans came climbing back. Henry Ramos and Vimael Machin each drove in two runs. Panama starter Harold Arauz could not get past the third. By the time he left the showers the Puerto Ricans had tied the score 5-5. They jumped out to a 9-6 lead going into the ninth. Panama strung together four hits and two runs off Joshua Torres. Puerto Rico had to call on Fernando Cruz to retire the final two hitters to survive the win. Panama had the tying run on third and the go ahead run on first with one out but a pop up and strike out failed to bring the runner home.

Dominican Republic 3 Colombia 2

Colombia has yet to win a Series del Caribe game in their two years of play. They almost pulled off a surprise by beating the undefeated Dominican Republic. Granted, the Dominicans had nothing to play for, already clinching their first seed ranking.

Colombia was up 2-0 for five innings. Edison Frias had shut out the Dominican bats for those first five innings. The Colombians decided to go to their bullpen and that is when the bats started making noise. Johan Camargo had an RBI single in the sixth. Melky Cabrera doubled in the seventh to tie the game. The ninth inning saw a lead off walk eventually score on a walk off single by Rangel Ravelo to keep the Dominicans undefeated.

Yunesky Maya did not get the win but went six innings for the Dominicans. He gave up two runs. Lisalverto Bonilla pitched the last three innings to earn the win. He walked one and kept Panama hitless.

Mexico 4 Venezuela 3

A loss by Mexico would have created a three way tie for the last two spots, resulting in a tie breaker. After going down 3-0 early Mexico came back to win the game 4-3. It took a three run eighth inning rally to tie the game, Sebastion Elizalde driving in one run with a double and Joey Meneses following with a two run double.

In the ninth inning Isaac Paredes led the inning off with a triple but failed to score. In the bottom of the tenth they loaded the bases with no one out and the next two batters were retired without bringing the runners home. With two outs Carlos Gamboa came up. The Venezuelans had decided to intentionally walk him after the Paredes lead off triple in the ninth. There was no place to put him for this at bat. He drove a 1-1 count into centerfield for a walk off single to put Mexico in the playoffs.

For Venezuela it was again going to the bullpen that lost the game. Logan Darnell had pitched seven shutout innings. The Venezuelan bullpen then squandered the lead, something myworld noticed far too often in this Series del Caribe.

The offensive woes of Venezuela continue as they get shut out by the Dominicans, who remain undefeated with just one more game to go in pool play. Puerto Rico won their third game and appear to have clinched a playoff spot. Sometimes just getting to the dance is all you need. Mexico kept their hopes alive by beating Panama to leave both at 2-2.

Dominican Republic 2 Venezuela 0

The recently released Robel Garcia, who went from the Italian League to the Cubs last year got the big hit that scored all the runs. His two run double in the seventh inning, his second double of the game, gave the Dominicans the victory. It came too late for Andy Otero, who pitched 5.1 brilliant innings while scattering five hits. Dario Alvarez, who faced the fewest batters in the game (two) got credit for the win. Fernando Abad worked the ninth inning to earn the save.

Williams Perez pitched a better game for Venezuela, limiting the Dominicans to just two hits in his six innings. After he departed the Dominican bats came alive for two runs. The Venezuelans out hit the Dominicans 6 to 4, but it is the runs that matter.

Puerto Rico 2 Colombia 1

In the ninth inning Johneshwy Fargas lashed a one out double off Cody Mincey. The Colombians chose to intentionally walk Vimael Machin to set up the double play. Fargas steals third base. Now the Colombians decide to intentionally walk Reymond Fuentes to load the bases. Cody Mincey, who has now thrown eight straight balls faces Jonathan Morales and still cannot find the plate, running the count full before walking him to force in a run, a walk off walk.

Harold Ramirez drove in the only run for Colombia. Yadier Molina drove in the first run for Puerto Rico. Tommy Romero for Puerto Rico and Reiver Sanmartin for Colombia each worked at least five innings, both allowing just one run. Sanmartin struck out 8 while Romero struck out five. Each allowed just three hits. Fernando Cruz got the win by retiring Colombia in order in the top of the ninth.

This is the second year for Colombia in the Series del Caribe. While they have been competitive, they have yet to win a game.

Mexico 6 Panama 3

Julian Leon slugged a grand slam homerun in the third inning and it proved to be the difference in the game. The grand slam gave Mexico a 4-1 lead and Panama was never able to recover. Anthony Vazquez shut down the Panamanian bats for seven innings, giving up just two runs on four hits. Alberto Baldonado got the last out of the eighth and finished the ninth to pick up the save. Panama had the tying run at the plate in the eighth inning when Alberto got David Rodriguez to ground out.

The big game between the two undefeateds saw the Dominicans victorious. The two winless teams battled it out and Venezuela saved themselves from embarrassment. Puerto Rico disappointed Mexico fans between the two .500 teams.

Dominican Republic 11 Panama 6

The game was not as close as the score indicated. Panama rallied for five runs in the bottom of the ninth to make the game appear close. Prior to that it was Dominican domination. Or Panama mistakes. Their pitchers walked 10 and their fielders committed four errors. Five of the eleven runs the Dominicans scored were unearned. You add in the walks and it could have been even more.

Joe Van Meter shut down the Panama bats for six innings, giving up just three hits. He gave up one unearned run. The Dominican fielding was a bit sloppy as well with three errors. Michael Tonkin came on to pitch the ninth and only retired two hitters, giving up five runs on five hits and a walk. Fortunately, the Dominicans had an 11-1 lead entering the inning.

Melky Cabrera and Francisco Pena were the big bats for the Dominicans. Each drove in three runs.

Venezuela 1 Colombia 0

This game was lacking in offense. The two teams combined for fewer hits than the walks by the Dominicans. The Venezuelans could only carve out one hit in the win. That was a Herlis Rodriguez RBI double in the third inning. A leadoff walk to Luis Sardinas set up the run. For the Venezuelans their bats have been impotent for the series.

Fortunately, they had Guillermo Moscoso who pitched five shutout innings, giving up just three hits. They also used four pitchers out of the bullpen to pitch one inning each, giving up just two total hits. Silvino Bracho pitched the final inning to earn the save.

The Colombians relied mainly on their bullpen to shut down the Venezuelan bats. Randy Consuegra worked the first three, giving up the lone run. Ronald Ramirez and Jhon Romero each worked two hitless innings. Cody Mincey worked a hitless eighth.

Puerto Rico 6 Mexico 4

Edwin Diaz slugged a two run homer in the second inning to put up the first runs for Puerto Rico. After Mexico tied it in the bottom frame a three run fifth proved to be the difference. Edwin Diaz had struck out to lead off the inning, but the ball got by the catcher allowing Diaz to reach. Jarren Duran drove him in with a triple to break a 2-2 tie. Vimael Machin added in a run with his single and a Reymond Fuentes sacrifice fly drove in the third run of the inning.

After Mexico scored two runs in the seventh to close the score to 6-4 the Puerto Rican bullpen shut down any further offense from Mexico. Anthony Maldonado retired the last out of the seventh inning. Rayan Gonzalez and Fernando Cruz each pitched a perfect inning to close out the game.

It appears the games played by Mexico are started so late that they do not get reported. Below are a summary of the games played by Mexico.

Mexico 10 Colombia 2

A nice easy opener for Mexico. A six run fifth erased an early 2-1 Colombia lead and put the fans at ease. Jessie Castillo drove in four runs, three of them on a homerun in the ninth inning that closed out the scoring for Mexico. Manuel Barreda went six innings for Mexico to get the win. Joey Meneses drove in the first two runs in the six run fifth to give Mexico a 3-2 lead. Colombia gifted Mexico the runs with five walks, including four in a row that forced in two runs and a hit by pitch. For the game Colombia pitchers walked 10 batters.

Dominican Republic 4 Mexico 2

Mexico went from facing the easiest opponent to the favored. They came out on the losing end this time. Juan Lagares continued his hot hitting, going deep for the second time in the series with a solo shot in the seventh to lead the Dominicans. Cesar Valdez threw six innings of two hit shut out ball for the Dominicans. Mexico rallied for two in the ninth off Fernando Abad, the runs being unearned courtesy of an error by Robinson Cano. With the go ahead run at the plate Jhan Marinez came on to get the last out to pick up the save.

Panama won their second game and appear to have clinched a spot in the playoffs. Puerto Rico put themselves in the win column by beating a stumbling Venezuelan team.

Panama 9 Colombia 5

Panama erupted for seven runs in the third inning and used that to defeat Colombia. David Rodriguez drove in three runs with a bases clearing double and leadoff hitter Jonathan Arauz went 3 for 5 on the day, driving in two and scoring twice.

Manuel Campos pitched three one hit shutout innings. With the large 7-0 lead Panama went to their pen, who coughed up four runs in the sixth. Jordan Diaz went 3 for 4 with two RBIs to lead the Colombia offense.

Edison Frias started out strong for Colombia on the mound. He struck out five of the first seven hitters he faced. A one out double by Rodrigo Vigil opened the seven run flood. After a ground out all the runs scored after two were out.

Davis Romero worked three innings in relief to get the win. He allowed one run in the ninth, striking out five.

Puerto Rico 3 Venezuela 0

Venezuela could not find their bats. Hector Hernandez shut them out on two hits for five innings. Four different relievers followed and did not allow a hit to complete the shut out. Yadier Molina delivered a critical two run homerun in the sixth to open the lead to 3-0.

For the second year in a row Cuba is not participating. Last year when the event was held in Puerto Rico it was difficulty in obtaining visas. This year it could be concerns with the corona virus and travel concerns. Panama did not have a winter league season because of the corona virus, but they did assemble an All Star team. Two years ago they shocked the Caribbean by winning the event. Below are the rosters:

Mexico

Pitchers - Manny Barreda, Edgar Gonzalez, Hector Velasquez, Anthony Vasquez, Edgar Arrendondo, Jesus Castillo, Gonzalo Sanudo, Aldo Montes, Javier Arturo Lopez, Derrick Loop, Carlos Torres, Fernando Salas, Sasagi Sanchez, Alberto Baldonado

Catchers - Alexis Wilson, Julian Leon

Infielders - Joey Meneses, Isaac Paredes, Jessie Castillo, Efren Navvaro, Michael Wing, Ramiro Pena, Juan Carlos Gamboa, Victor Mendoza

Outfielders - Sebastian Elizalde, Jose Cardona, Jesus Fabela,

Dominican Republic

Pitchers - Carlos Martinez, Cesar Valdez, Joe Van Meter, Andy Otero, Yunesky Maya, Marcos Diplan, Lisaverto Bonilla, Dario Alvarez, Fernando Abad, Jhan Martinez, Luis Castillo, Wirfin Obispo, Michael Tonkin, Yoanner Negrin

Catchers - Francisco Pena, Carlos Paulino

Infielders - Robel Garcia, Robinson Cano, Jonathan Villar, Ramon Torres, Johan Camargo, Rangel Ravelo, Ronald Guzman

Outfielders - Junior Lake, Juan Lagares, Melky Cabrera, Yefry Perez, Juan Carlos Perez

Veneuela

Pitchers - Williams Perez, Andres Machado, Loiger Padron, Andres Perez, Jose Ascanio, David Martinez, Guillermo Moscoso, Silivino Bracho, Mayckol Guaipe, Logan Darnell, Lester Oliveros, Raul Rivero, Pedro Rodriguez, Liarvis Breto, Yapson Gomez, Ivan Medina

Catchers - Tomas Telis, Jesus Sucre

Infielders - Nieman Romero, Cesar Valera, Ali Castillo, Balbino Fuenmayor, Luis Sardinas

Outfielders - Rafael Ortega, Danry Vasquez, Herlis Rodriguez, Oswaldo Arcia, Williams Astudillo

Panama

Pitchers - Harold Arauz, Edison Gonzalez, Ernesto Silva, Manuel Campos, Wilfredo Pereira, Davis Romero, Edgardo Sandoval, Luis Machuca, Alberto Guerrero, Jamie Barria, Eury de la Rosa, Jeof Broussart, Austin Warner, Severiono Gonzalez, Yoel Espinal

Catchers - Rodrigo Vigil, Carlos Sanchez, David Rodriguez

Infielders - Jorge Bishop, Carlos Quiroz, Belarmino Campos, Jonathan Arauz, Jesus Lopez, Hector Gomez

Outfielders - Allen Cordoba, Johnny Santos, Rodrigo Orozco, Willy Garcia

Colombia

Pitchers - Randy Consuegra, Luis Felipe de Avila, Carlos Mario Diaz, Edinson Frias, Juan Carlos Herrera, David Holmberg, Eduar Rolanny Lopez, Jale Oliver Miller, Cody Mincey, Ronald Ramirez, Jhon Jairo Romero, Jean Carlos Ruiz, Reiver Sanmartin, Julio Cesar Vivas Colmenares, Ezequil Antonio Zabeleta

Catchers - Christian Correa, Carlos Mario Martinez, Andres Felipe Noriega

Infielders - Francisco Acuna, Jordan Diaz, Dilson Jose Herrera, Evan Maneul Mendoza, Bralian Andres Perez

Outfielders - Robinson Javier Cabrera, Tito Luis Polo, Harold Andres Ramirez, Andy Vasquez, Adam Brett Walker II

Puerto Rico

Pitchers - Luis Medina, Hector Hernandez, Hector Santiago, Tommy Romero, Giovanni Soto, Zack Muckenhim, Christian Torres, Fernado Cruz, Chris Muller, Anthony Maldonado, Rayan Gonzalez, Jason Garcia, Joshua Torres, Ivan Maldanado

Catchers - Jonathan Morales, Yadier Molina, Juan Centeno

Infielders - Vimael Machin, Jose Miranda, Jancarlos Cintron, Edwin Diaz, Jeremy Rivera, Emmanuel Rivera

Outfielders - Rick Lopez, Johneshwy Fargas, Jarren Duran, Henry Ramos, Reymond Fuentes

The Series del Caribe is scheduled for January 31 and will run until February 6 in Mazatlan, Mexico. Six teams are being planned for the tournament, but that all depends on if each of the winter leagues can get their season started. The traditional four of Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Mexico will be playing along with Colombia and Panama.

The Dominican Republic just began their winter league last Sunday. Mexico had to postpone their season for eleven days because of corona virus concerns but hopes to resume their season soon. Venezuela and Puerto Rico plan to bein their season December 1. Last year Cuba did not participate because of their inability to obtain a visa. When it was announced that Cuba would not participate in the 2021 Series del Caribe, Colombia will have a second opportunity to participate.

It is possible if one of the winter leagues can not complete their season Nicaragua could become the sixth team. They have already started their winter league.

Baseball America provided an article that identified all the countries that played major league baseball. Below is the list of those countries, separated by hitters and pitchers.

Top Offensive Players

1) United States, 2) Dominican Republic, 3) Venezuela, 4) Cuba, 5) Puerto Rico, 6) Curacao, 7) Canada, Colombia, 9) South Korea 10) Aruba

Even when you add Aruba, Curacao and Netherlands together it still does not get them into the top five.

Top Pitchers

1) United States, 2) Dominican Republic, 3) Venezuela, 4) Japan, 5) Mexico, 6) Canada, 7) Puerto Rico, Colombia, 9) Cuba, 10) Panama

South Korea, Taiwan and Australia just missed making the top ten. The ranking was measured by plate appearances and innings pitched.