2014 Winter Leagues: 11/12/2014 Results

MLB Japan All-Star Series

(No Game Scheduled. Next Game tomorrow @ 4am)

Arizona Fall League

- Peoria Javelina 5 - 6 Mesa Solar Sox
- Glendale Desert Dogs 5 - 4 Salt River Rafters
- Surprise Saguaros 8 - 0 Scottsdale Scorpions

• 2B L.J. Mazzilli: 0 for 3, BB, 2 K
• SS Matt Reynolds: 0 for 3, K

Side Note: Regular Season ends TODAY, November 13th.

Venezuelan Winter League

- Caribes de Anzoategui 1 - 11 Cardenales de Lara
- Leones del Caracas 3 - 8 Aguilas del Zulia
- Navegantes del Magallanes 3 - 4 Tiburones de La Guaira

• LF Alex Castellanos: Defensive Replacement

- Tigres de Aragua 2 - 5 Bravos de Margarita

• SS Wilfredo Tovar: 0 for 3, BB

Mexican Pacific League

- Caneros de los Mochis 0 - 1 Tomateros de Culiacan
- Venados de Mazatlan 2 - 3 Mayos de Navojoa
- Charros de Jalisco 8 - 5 Naranjeros de Hermosillo

• LF Cory Vaughn: 0 for 5, K

- Yaquis de Obregon 2 - 3 Aguilas de Mexicali

• C Xorge Carrillo: 1 for 3, K, Runner Thrown Out

 Dominican Winter League

- Estrellas de Oriente 4 - 1 Leones del Escogido
- Aguilas Cibaenas 4 - 3 Toros del Este

• PR Cesar Puello: Pinch Ran

- Tigres del Licey 7 - 5 Gigantes del Cibao

• RHP Hansel Robles: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, Hold(3) (Robles got screwed over by Atahulpa Severino)

Roberto Clemente Puerto Rican League

- Gigantes de Carolina 9 - 11 Indios de Mayaguez

• 2B T.J. Rivera: 2 for 4, R, 2B, 2 RBI(3), BB

- Criollos de Caguas 0 - 2 Cangrejeros de Santurce

• C Johnny Monell: 0 for 4, K, 2 SB allowed, 1 RTO

Q and A With Mack and... SS TJ Rivera

Mack:  Hey everybody. We're talking today with SS T J Rivera who played K-Port this past season. Hey T.J.! Are you back home?

Rivera:  Yes I have been home for about a week now. Just resting and spending some time with family and friends.

Mack:  TJ, let's go back to before this season started. You were undrafted out of, first, The Bronx, and then, Troy University. Tell us how you signed with the Mets and what it was like playing in your first professional game?

Rivera:  Yeah, I was undrafted out of college which was a little dissapointing at first but then I received a call to sign as a free agent a couple days after. I was really happy to hear I was getting a opportunity to keep playing ball.   My first professional game was exciting. Playing pro ball has been my dream since I was a kid and to be able to do so has been a great experience.

Mack:  One thing many fans don't realize is the grind of getting used to playing every day. Tell us what it was like for your in Kingsport this past year.

Rivera:   I believe that's the hardest thing to adapt to when entering pro ball. In college you play a three game series and then have a couple of days to rest and workout. In pro ball your constantly getting after it everyday and it puts a toll on your body. Taking care of your body and being able to focus everyday is how you make it through a long season.

Mack:   What are your plans for the off-season, TJ (is there a nickname for TJ?... joke)?
Rivera:  Ha ha,  maybe just "T". I have been home for a couple weeks relaxing and giving my body some rest. I will be heading back down to school very soon to start training and getting in shape for next season. I'm planning on working on all aspects of the game to improve on speed, range and a more consistant swing this off season.

Mack:  Sandy Alderson is on record saying that one of the weakest areas of the pipeline is middle infielders. There doesn't seem to be anybody in theway for you torun up the system. Has there been any indication that you might play for a full season team come April?

Rivera:  I honestly don't have any idea as to where I will be in April. I would love the opportunity to play for a full season team but I would be happy with any team that I'm assigned to.

Mack:  Yeah, that was a stupid question. I know you don't know. TJ, there's not much more to ask you at this point in your professional career. Is there anything you want to say to the fans out there that are reading this?

Rivera:   I would just like to thank all the fans that support us. They were great to us when I was in both Kingsport and Brooklyn. Hopefully, one day i can play in front of them at CitiField.

Other TJ Stuff:

8-12-11: - Stock Up – 2B T.J. Rivera – Rivera was signed this past June as an UDFA. The Lehman H.S. (Bronx) grad hit .290 for K-Port this season and is now turning heads in Brooklyn. Imagine being undrafted and then 4-5 for the Cyclones. On top of the world, Ma!