John From Albany - Winter Ball Update 11/11/19

Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter league played Sunday with Harol Gonzalez making his fifth start this winter. 

Harol pitched 3.1 innings giving up 8 hits, 2 runs earned with two strikeouts in a game Gigantes del Cibao lost 6-4 to Aguilas Cibaenas.  Harol’s most amazing stat on Sunday?  22 pitches, 22 strikes. 

Harol continues to try to build up innings after throwing just 137.2 innings last year for Syracuse and Binghamton.  He is eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this December and with the Mets possibly losing Zack Wheeler as a Free Agent, they could use the starting pitching depth.

Overall this winter, Harol Gonzalez is 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA in 5 starts, 14.2 innings.  He has allowed 23 hits, 9 runs, 8 earned, with 5 walks and 12 K’s.

One of Mack’s picks to keep an eye in the Dominican League is Adonis Uceta.  Signed in February 2013, Adonis also is Rule 5 Draft eligible this December. 

Adonis last year for Binghamton recorded 7 out of 9 save opportunities, going 5-3 with a 1.44 ERA.  Like a number of the Binghamton pitchers, he struggled when he was called up to Syracuse giving up 5 hits and 5 runs in 1.1 innings pitched. 

This winter he has done very well.  In 8 games he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 6.1 innings with 2 unearned runs, 6 K’s, 6 walks and 2 hits for a 1.26 WHIP. 

Since the last update, St. Lucie’s Carlos Hernandez has not appeared in a game.  As of Monday, he is 0-1 in two games with an 18.00 ERA. 

Now a Minor League free agent, 2019 Syracuse IF/OF Arismendy Alcantara is hitting .270 in 20 games, 17 hits in 63 at-bats with 6 doubles, 2 triples, and 3 stolen bases. 

Still no signs of Edwin Diaz or Jeurys Familia. 

However, in the game Harol Gonzalez pitched Sunday, another recent free agent Met popped up, Juan Lagares.  Juan laid down a sacrifice bunt in the first and was taken out of the game.  Before that he had played two games going 5 for 10. 

Also in the Dominican League, ex-Met T.J. Rivera is hitting .206 in 17 games, 13 hits in 63 at bats with 2 doubles.

The Venezuelan league started last week.  Looking through the rosters I did not see any current Mets.  The thought is that perhaps Andres Gimenez would pop up at some point. 

Wuilmer Becerra, however,is playing.  Obtained as part of the RA Dickey trade with Toronto, Wuilmer did not play in 2019.  So far this winter he is hitting .292 in 6 games with 7 hits in 24 at-bats, 1 HR, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs.  Here’s hoping he has a good season and can get another chance with a team next year.