Rockies in the Winter Leagues

As Spring Training approaches, several players in the Colorado Rockies organization fine-tuned their games in various winter leagues across the globe.

Here’s a quick look at how some Rockies have performed to date this winter.

Australian Baseball League

Modesto Nuts

Ryan Casteel Photo from ModestoNuts.com

Ryan Casteel, Catcher – After a breakout season in 2013 for the Modesto Nuts where he hit 22 homers, 30 doubles and drove in 76 runs, Casteel was back at it again in the Australian Baseball League this offseason. In just 42 games for the Melbourne Aces, Casteel is hitting at a .329 clip and slugged 10 home runs while driving in 31 runs.

Allan de San Miguel, C – The Australian native spent seven years in the Minnesota Twins’ organization before he played the 2012-13 seasons in the Baltimore Orioles organization. This offseason, de San Miguel was signed by the Rockies organization. In just 13 games in the ABL, de San Miguel is having a productive winter hitting .311 with three home runs and 10 RBI.

Joey Wong, INF – The Rockies’ 24th round pick from 2009 out of Oregon State University saw time in 2013 all around the infield for Double-A Tulsa. He has been productive in the ABL so far this season, hitting .275 with eight doubles and 18 RBI. He also has drawn 19 walks in 43 games.

Dominican Winter League

Paat Kelly/Colorado Springs Sky Sox

Jordan Pacheco (left), C, 1B, 3B, OF – Another catcher on the list has spent much of his time the last two seasons on the big club, and had a solid offseason in the DWL. In 20 games, Pacheco had an average of .274 with a home run, six RBI, four doubles and and on-base percentage of .354.

Rafael Ynoa, 2B – This switch-hitting second baseman has spent his entire career in the Dodgers organization, prior to making his way to the Rockies organization. The 2013 Double-A All-Star has played 44 games in the DWL and hit .333 with 15 extra-base hits. He also has scored 26 runs.

Chris Martin, RHP – Acquired from the Red Sox with LHP Franklin Morales in December, Martin only pitched eight innings in the DWL, but didn’t give up a single earned run and picked up six saves.

Juan Nicasio, RHP – Nicasio started 31 games for the Rockies in 2013 — his first full season at the top level — and won nine games while striking out 119 batters. In the DWL, he started five games and posted an ERA of 2.96 in 24.1 innings with 19 strikeouts.

Venezuelan Winter League

Franklin Morales, LHP – The veteran reliever spent sometime early in 2013 rehabbing in the minors but was able to make it back to the Red Sox to contribute on their World Series winning squad. Morales only appeared in three VWL games, including two starts, and tossed 15 innings posting an ERA of 3.00. He struck out 12 batters while only walking three. Morales was traded to the Rockies along with Chris Martin in December after spending four and a half seasons in Colorado from 2007-11.

All stats above are as of Jan. 23, 2014

For a full list of stats of Rockies in winter leagues, click here.

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