Milwaukee Brewers: What’s the latest on Winter Ball Leagues?

Pitchers and catcher don’t report until February 13 but that isn’t stopping several Milwaukee Brewers from continuing to play competitive baseball in warmer climates.

We’ll start our run down of Milwaukee Brewers players in Winter Leagues with a deep dive into the performances in the Venezuelan League.

Venezuelan League

Orlando Arcia, SS, Caribes de Anzoategui

In September and October no Brewer was hotter at the plate then Orlando Arica. He has continued to find his swing through the winter in the Venezuelan League. In five games, Arcia is swinging .450 (9 for 20) with a slash line of .500/.700/1.200. The extra base hits have continued as well, with a home run and two double in the last five games. His defense has remained strong as well. He’s collected 10 assists with a .929 fielding percentage.

Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Tigres de Aragua

The Milwaukee Brewers power hitting first baseman went back home to Venezuela for the winter joining the Tigres for six games so far this season. Jesus Aguilar hasn’t found his stroke yet, hitting just .118/.250/.176 in 17 at bats. He has walked three times, hit a double and scored a run while only striking out once.

Troy Stokes Jr., OF, Tigres de Aragua

Recently added to the 40-man roster, Troy Stokes Jr. spent all 2018 season in Double-A Biloxi and shined offensively and defensively. He hit .233/.343/.430 with 109 hits including 23 doubles, six triples, 19 home runs and 58 RBIs while scoring 74 runs. He also was awarded the MiLB Rawlings Gold Glove for his stellar work in the outfield at MGM Park.

Although his winter season appears to be over, since his last game was November 18th, Stokes was busy for the Tigres. In 28 games he hit .298/.391/.447 with 28 hits including two doubles, four home runs and 12 RBIs in just 94 at-bats. He showed patience at the plate as well collecting 13 walks. Stokes found his speed too stealing seven bases while not being caught.

Deolis Guerra, P, Navegantes del Magallanes

Deolis Guerra, who signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on December 10th, has shown in the winter league why he’s been invited the 29-year-old to Spring Training. In 2018, Guerra pitched in 40 games for the Texas Rangers Triple-A affiliate with a 3.79 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 71 strike outs. His stats this winter are a little more impressive. In 24 games Guerra has a 1.78 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 27 strike outs. He is holding hitters to a .214 batting average while sacrificing just six runs in 25 1/3 innings.

Wuilder Rodriguez, P, Tigres de Aragua

The 25-year-old Wuilder Rodriguez spent last season splitting time between High-A Carolina and Double-A Biloxi with mixed success. In 27 games he went 2-1 with a 4.86 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 32 strike outs in 50 innings. Rodriguez has thrown in six games so far this winter with the Tigres, allowing three runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. He owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and has one lone strike out. He last pitched on December 5, going a scoreless innings against the Bravos de Margarita.