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Atlanta Braves’ Winter League performance wrapup

By Jake Mastroianni

SURPRISE, AZ - NOVEMBER 03: AFL West All-Star, Cristian Pache #27 of the Atlanta Braves is introduced to the Arizona Fall League All Star Game at Surprise Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SURPRISE, AZ - NOVEMBER 03: AFL West All-Star, Cristian Pache #27 of the Atlanta Braves is introduced to the Arizona Fall League All Star Game at Surprise Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Dominican League

Shortstop Luis Valenzuela had a busy offseason playing in 44 games for the Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican League. He finished with the most hits on the team, batting .273 with 21 runs scored, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run, 18 RBI, and a .305 on-base percentage in 165 at-bats.

The 25-year-old Valenzuela hit .282 at Mississippi last year with 42 runs scored, 22 doubles, and 42 RBI in 114 at-bats.

Jose Rafael De Paula, whom the Braves just picked up in the Rule 5 Draft, posted a 2.08 ERA in the Dominican League this winter over 21.2 innings pitched with 23 strikeouts.

In 2018 he had a 3.44 ERA in 58 innings with 73 strikeouts. He will likely add some depth to the bullpen at Triple-A for the Braves this year.

The Braves picked up Luis Marte during the 2018 season as insurance at shortstop. He moved up from Double-A to Triple-A and hit pretty well, while playing stellar defense.

However, his value may have taken a hit in the Dominican League this winter where he hit just .164 in 55 at-bats.

Wes Parsons also pitched in the Dominican League and had a 3.54 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched (5 games, 4 starts) with 14 strikeouts. Parsons made his major league debut last season after a spectacular year in the minors where he had a 2.76 ERA in 117.1 innings with 104 strikeouts.

Things didn’t go as well with the big league club giving up four runs in just five innings. He should get another crack to join the bullpen this spring, if not, he’ll likely go back to Triple-A and provide pitching depth.

Jacob Webb played on the same team as Parsons and had a 0.90 ERA in 10 innings with 14 strikeouts and 4 saves. He also had a great 2018 season with a 3.15 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A with 69 strikeouts in 54.1 innings with 18 saves. I would think he gets a long look for the bullpen in Spring Training.

Webb and Parsons are on the Dominican team that will be represented in the Caribbean Series, which was moved from Venezuela to Panama. It is unclear if they will participate in the series that starts on February 4.

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