The Caribbean League seasons are getting underway, and there are many Pirates and former Pirates on the rosters.
The Mexican Pacific League opened their season on Tuesday night. OF Rogelios Noris, who spent the 2011 American season with the West Virginia Power, is again playing for his hometown Venados de Mazatlan. Los Venados opened their season with a 5-1 loss to Los Tomateros de Culiacan. Noris went 1-for-3 with a single in the loss. Former Pirate Luis Cruz is on the Culiacan roster. He went 1-for-4 with a single.
Other former Pirates: Yurendell de Caster is again playing for Los Algodoneros de Guasave. He singled, walked, and scored a run in last night’s 4-1 win over Los Caneros de Mochis. Another former Indy Indian, Alfredo Amezaga is playing on Los Yaquis de Obregon. He had a single and scored twice as Los Yaquis beat Los Mayos de Navojoa 10-7.
The Venezuelan Winter League begins play tonight, with many Pirates and friends involved.
Los Aguilas de Zulia — pitchers Diego Moreno (Bradenton and Altoona) and Julio Vivas (VSL Pirates)
Bravos de Margarita — pitchers Anthony Claggett and Jhonathan Ramos (Bradenton)
Cardenales de Lara — former Pirate pitcher Romulo Sanchez
Caribes de Anzoategui — outfielders Gorkys Hernandez and Jose Tabata are both on the roster, plus Bradenton pitcher Gabriel Alvarado
Leones de Caracas — pitchers Jose Ascanio and former Pirate farmhand Ronald Uviedo, plus C Ramon Cabrera (Bradenton)
Navegantes de Magallanes — OF Jose Osuna (GCL Pirates and State College) and former Pirate Inf Argenis Diaz.
Tigres de Aragua — Pirate SS Ronny Cedeno is joined by several former Pirates and Pirate farmhands: catchers Hector Gimenez, Raul Chavez, and Miguel Perez; Inf Gookie Dawkins, and OF Jorge Cortes and Lastings Milledge.
The Dominican Winter League begins play on Friday, and the Puerto Rican League begins on November 4th. The Australian Baseball League will start their second season on November 3rd.
