By Tom Usiak

Good Morning! And welcome back to Cubs Den’s exclusive coverage of Cubs prospects playing in the winter leagues.

This year brings many challenges, and covering the winter leagues will be a part of that. Information has been very tight, and Cubs Den will be diligent in keeping readers up to date.

Due to the absence of the Arizona Fall League and the uncertainty surrounding other leagues, Cubs Den is making a change in content. Current Cubs prospect will receive primary coverage, but mentions will be made of former Cubs prospects no affiliated with any other organization.

As in years past, coverage is by calendar week, Sunday through Saturday.

Now, on to the games!

Mexican Pacific League

Cañeros de los Mochis

Thursday saw Los Mochis take it on the chin for opening night as they lost to Mazatlan 5-2, Tennessee outfielder Eddy Martinez played in center and batted clean-up, going 2-for-4 in a losing effort.  Los Mochis 2 – Mazatlan 5

The Cañeros were able to rally back in the seventh inning to take one away from Mazatlan as they won 5-4 on Friday. Eddy Martinez was back in centerfield and was 1-for-4. Cubs right-handed pitching prospect Juan Gamez nailed down the victory by pitching 1.2 scoreless innings. Los Mochis 5 – Mazatlan 4

Staring defeat in the face on Saturday, the Cane-men came up with five runs in the bottom of the eight to take a 9-8 win away from Mazatlan. Eddy Martinez continued his great start to the season as he was 3-for-5 with a double as he was back in centerfield. Los Mochis 9 – Mazatlan 8

Mayos de Navojoa

On Friday, Navojoa was unable to hold a lead as they lost to Hermosillo 9-8. Former Cubs left-hander Felix Doubront let the game slip away by allowing two earned runs in 1.1 innings.

The Mayos almost let one slip away from them on Saturday, as they held on to beat Hermosillo 11-10. Felix Doubront has a shaky save as he struck out three but yielded an earn run in the ninth.

Tomateros de Culiacan

On opening night this past Thursday, Culiacan allowed Guasave to put up four runs in the first inning as they ended up losing 6-4. Former Cubs first baseman Efren Navarro was 1-for-4 in the loss.

The Tomateros were able to even their record on Friday as they scored five runs in the middle innings and held on to beat Guasave 5-3. Efren Navarro continued his hot start as he was 1-for-4 with a solo home run.

The Tomato Pickers never got things going on Saturday as they lost to Guasave 7-2. Efren Navarro remained on fire as he was 2-for-4 in a losing effort.

Venados de Mazatlan

Mazatlan got their season off to a good start on Thursday as they wasted little time in dispatching Los Mochis 5-2. Cubs left-handed pitching prospect Ferrol Heredia came on in the sixth with a man on first and no one out and retired the first batter he saw. Heredia then walked the next batter and was replaced. Former prospect Anthony Giansanti played centerfield and was 0-for3 with two walks. Mazatlan 5 – Los Mochis 2

Venados outfielder Anthony Giansanti was 1-for-3 with a walk in a 5-4 loss to Los Mochis on Friday.

Moved up to third in the order on Saturday, outfielder Anthony Giansanti responded by going 1-for-4 with a walk and two runs scored for the Stags in a 9-8 loss to Los Mochis.

Yaquis de Obregon

Obregon was able to chip away at a Mexicali lead on Thursday until they came away with a 7-5 victory. Right-handed pitcher Jesus Camargo relieved starter Andre Rienzo with one out in the third and held the Aguilas scoreless for 2.2 innings, walking one and striking out a batter. Former prospect Sebastian Valle started at catcher and was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI; while Mario Meza picked up a hold with a scoreless eighth inning. Obregon 7 – Mexicali 5

It was another back-and-forth game on Friday for the Yaquis as they beat Mexicali 7-6. Sebastian Valle was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two runs scored, and an RBI. Mario Meza got his first save even though he allowed two earned runs in the ninth.

The Tribe remained the LMP’s only unbeaten team with a 2-1 win over Mexicali on Saturday. Catcher Sebastian Valle came up big, driving in two and blasting an insurance home run in the fifth as he went 1-for-3.

Notes

The Roberto Clemente League posted a video on Sunday with several players sending their greetings to the fans. There was no indication as to if or when their season would start, or whether it will include MLB prospects.