Cubs Den

Winter Leagues Set to Start

Hello! It’s nice to be back for my eleventh season in covering the winter leagues. The 2020 baseball season has been a challenge for all us, particularly those who follow minor league baseball and player development.

But now there is an opportunity to see real games involving prospects across baseball. On Thursday, the Mexican Pacific League begins play. While rosters are not available at this time, I have word from a couple of prospects currently in the Cubs’ system that they will be participating.

The Australian Baseball League is set to open on December 18. The league will be split into two divisions, Australian and International. The International division will be based in New Zealand, while there is no word as to the site of the Australian division. As with the Mexican Pacific League, rosters are not available at this time.

There are also reports of that Venezuelan Winter League will be delayed, but will begin before the end of the year. However, there are still sanctions against Venezuela from the United States government. As a result, Major League Baseball has banned all affiliated minor league players under contract from participating. But with a federal election in November, there is a possibility that situation may change.

Currently, there is no word on the Dominican Winter League, nor the Roberto Clemente League in Puerto Rico.

So, welcome back to Cubs Den’s exclusive coverage of Cubs prospects in winter baseball!

Filed under:
Fall/Winter Baseball, International players, Minor Leagues, Offseason, prospects