Winter leagues roundup: Arozarena mashing in Mexico
Randy Arozarena connected on two more home runs last week, continuing what has been a powerful offseason performance in the Mexican Winter League.Arozarena, the Cardinals' No. 9 prospect, currently leads the MWL with 14 home runs, and he's one of just two players to have produced double-digit homers so far
Randy Arozarena connected on two more home runs last week, continuing what has been a powerful offseason performance in the Mexican Winter League.
Arozarena, the Cardinals' No. 9 prospect, currently leads the MWL with 14 home runs, and he's one of just two players to have produced double-digit homers so far this season. He's also pacing the circuit in runs scored (44), slugging percentage (.570) and total bases (130), with a .294/.359/.570 batting line through 55 games for Mayos de Navojoa.
Signed for $1.25 million in July 2016, Arozarena reached Double-A in his first pro season in the U.S. while producing an overall line of .266/.346/.437 in 121 games across two levels. The 22-year-old outfielder showed plenty of gap power, but ultimately produced just 11 home runs, a total he's easily surpassed this offseason in nearly half as many games.
Here's a look at the top prospects making waves in the offseason winter leagues.
Australia
• Gabriel Arias, SS, Padres' No. 15-- Arias entered the Padres' Top 30 Prospects list this week after the club dealt righty
• Garrett Whitley, OF, Rays' No. 9 -- A recent seven-game hitting streak, along with a .314 average (11-for-35), over Whitley's past 10 games has boosted the toolsy 20-year-old's ABL batting line to .282/.414/.465 through 19 games for Perth. He's tallied seven extra-base hits thus far and has more walks (16) than strikeouts (15), though his one stolen base in six attempts leaves much to be desired.
Dominican Republic
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• Jose Siri, OF, Reds' No. 22 -- Siri's average is up to .321 this offseason thanks to a robust .412/.417/.588 battling line over his last 10 games for Gigantes del Cibao. The 22-year-old outfielder was named the Reds' Minor League hitter of the year after a breakout season in which he slashed .293/.341/.530 with 24 home runs, 59 extra-base hits and 46 stolen bases in 126 games for Class A Dayton.
Mexico
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• Isaac Paredes, SS, Tigers' No. 9 -- Acquired from the Cubs at the 2017 Trade Deadline as part of the
Venezuela
• Carlos Tocci, OF, Rangers' No. 29 -- Tocci's name was in the news late last week after he was selected by the White Sox (from the Phillies' system) in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft and then traded to the Rangers. The 22-year-old outfielder has also been making news with his bat in his native Venezuela, where he's put together a 10-game hitting streak after going 0-fer in his offseason debut for Tigres de Aragua.
Mike Rosenbaum is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @GoldenSombrero.