Three Bats playing in Caribbean Series

The Bats have three players from last year’s team play in the Caribbean leagues this winter. Infielders Neftali Soto and Ruben Gotay both played in Puerto Rico and outfielder Felix Perez played in Venezuela.

Soto played 16 games in the regular season and finished with a .263/.358/.351 slash line with four extra-base hits. He did a good job of staying patient at the plate as he drew nine walks in almost 70 plate appearances.

Gotay had a good winter playing in 39 games and hitting .262. He had 13 extra-base hits and also drew 22 walks, to just 24 strikeouts.

Perez had an excellent winter season playing in 56 games, hitting .356, leading the league in hits with 80, finishing third in home runs with nine and driving in 38 runs. This performance landed him the Offensive Player of the Year Award.

The Caribbean Series began yesterday as Puerto Rico faced off with Venezuela and Soto was 2-for-4 with a walk, Gotay didn’t have a hit in four trips to the plate and Perez also didn’t have a hit in the game, but Venezuela did get the win in the first round matchup.

Former Cincinnati Red and Louisville Bat Daryl Thompson (2006–2011) got the start and win for the Venezuelan squad. He pitched six innings, allowed one run on three hits and struck out five.

Venezuela has the day off on Tuesday but will be back in action on Wednesday against the Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico will play on back-to-back days as they face off with Mexico, who defeated Cuba yesterday, at 6:30 EST.