The Mexican League is filled with mostly veterans, but some of these veterans get enough exposure to get an opportunity to play in the major leagues. The Dodgers got good use of Luis Cruz (.340, 17, 47) last year. The Yankees signed Jorge Vazquez (.330, 18, 60) but could find no room for him and he considered Japan. On the pitching front the Baltimore Orioles got good use from Miguel Gonzalez (5-0, 2.53). Who will be the next diamond in the rough.
The Culiacan Tomateros are off to a sizzling start at 10-0. Most of those wins were done on the road. Hermosillo will be hosting the next Caribbean World Series and have gotten off to a slow start at 4-6.
Culiacan Tomateros (10-0)
Marlon Byrd (.389, 4, 9) hopes his comeback attempt begins in Mexico. He has an impressive .477 OBA. Cory Aldridge (.293, 6, 13) is another player sending balls flying over the fence. The Pirates recently claimed Ali Solis (.240, 0, 3) off waivers.
The Cuban and ex-Yankee Amauri Sanit (2-0, 0.82) gave up only four hits in his first 11 innings of work. The bad news is he walked five. Francisco Campos (2-0, 1.64) shows more control, not walking a single hitter in his 11 innings of work. Hassan Pena (0.00, 3 saves) has been their closer.
Mexicali Aguilas (6-4)
Gil Velasquez (.419, 0, 3) has five stolen bases. He also has a 5/3 walk to whiff ratio. Issmael Salas (.268, 4,
is the big run producer. He also is tied for the team lead in runs scored with Chris Roberson (.333, 1, 5). Chris has hit three triples in 10 games.
Sergio Mitre (1-0, 0.00) has yet to give up a run but has only thrown six innings in his two starts. He has hit three batters and walked two. Irwin Delgado (1-0, 2.53) has whiffed 15 in just 11 innings of work. Oscar Villareal (2.25, 3 saves) is their closer but Nick Walters (1-0, 1.23) is their everyman, appearing in nine of their ten games.
Guasave Algodoneros (6-4)
Jesus Lopez (.355, 0, 7) is their most consistent hitter.
The starting pitching has been weak but Beau Vaughan (1.69, 4 saves) has been solid as their closer.
Los Mochis Caneros (5-5)
Jason Botts (.406, 2, 5) continues to extend his hope in Mexico. Sebastian Valle (.286, 2, 6) is no longer the Phillies catcher of the future after they acquired Tommy Joesph. Sebastian hopes to bounce back from the horrible season he had in the Mexican League last year. Sandy Madera (.250, 2, 4) is usually up there fighting for the batting title, hitting .400 or better.
Jesus Rodriguez (0-1, 2.35) has lacked control with five walks in seven plus innings. Tomas Solis (1-0, 3.38) has been another solid starter. Luis Niebla (2-0, 2.35) has vultured two victories in three relief appearances.
Hermosillo Naranjeros (4-6)
Todd Cunningham (.259, 1, 1) is a nice prospect in the Braves system getting his licks in batting leadoff for the Naranjeros. Karim Garcia (.313, 2, 6) had a nice major league and KBO career. Jesse Gutierrez (.286, 3, 7) is their best hitter to date.
Ryan Brasier (1.80, 4 saves) is their closer. Garret Mock (1-0, 0.00) has yet to give up a hit in four innings of relief. He has walked three.
Obregon Yaquis (4-6)
Alfredo Amezaga (.317, 0, 1) has been their top hitter. Willy Taveras (.300, 0, 5) continues his career in Mexico. He is 5 for 5 in stolen bases. Those two set up sluggers Carlos Valencia (.263, 4,
, Barbaro Canizares (.250, 2, 7) and Doug Clark (.286, 3, 5).
Arturo Lopez (2-0, 3.27) has half the teams wins. Oswaldo Martinez (0.00) has not given up a run in two starts but that has only covered seven innings. Esmailin Caridad (0-1, 1.13) has one start and three relief appearances. Rolando Valdez (1-0, 2.61) leads the team in strikeouts with 12. Luis Ayala (0-1, 13.50) struggled in two relief appearances.
Navojoa Mayos (3-7)
Francisco Arias (.394, 0, 2) is raking early in the season. Steve Moss (.294, 1, 7) has four stolen bases in five attempts. He also has an 8/13 walk to whiff ratio in just 10 games.
Javier Martinez (1-0, 0.00) has yet to give up a run in two starts. He has struck out 11 in 10 innings of work. Orlando Lara (1-0, 2.08) is another pitcher in the rotation giveing them solid starts, also striking out 11.
Mazatlan Venados (2-8)
Ivan Terrazas (.368, 2, 13) has been an RBI machine. His eight runs scored also is the team lead. Jesus Castillo (.314, 4,
has sent some balls deep. He leads the team in total bases.
Walter Silva (1-1, 6.23) needs to pitch well for this team to win. He has yet to strike out a hitter in eight plus innings of work. Nick Additon (1-1, 3.68) leads the Mexican League in games started with three.