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Osprey Alumni Winter League Wrap-up, Part 2

February 16, 2010 - Pioneer League (PL)
Missoula PaddleHeads News Release


The 2009-10 winter league baseball has come to a close, with no former Missoula Osprey players or coaches taking part in the 2010 Caribbean Series.

Normally, when you talk about former Osprey and the Caribbean Series, that means the involvement of Tigres del Licey, which is managed by current Osprey manager Hector De La Cruz.

However, Licey did not make it out of the five-team round-robin tournament in the Dominican Winter League playoffs and had their season come to an end. They were the only team with Osprey alumni in the DWL who did make the playoffs.

De La Cruz did have Emilio Bonifacio (2003 Osprey) in his lineup once again, mainly in the outfield. Bonifacio hit .269 in 33 games, with 11 RBIs and seven stolen bases. In the playoffs, however, Bonifacio led all DWL hitters with a .360 mark in the 16 round-robin contests.

Three of the four remaining former Osprey players who played in the Dominican this winter played on the Aguilas Cibaenas squad. Outfielder Luis Terrero (1999-2000) hit .272 in 30 games, with four home runs and 18 RBIs, plus was 6-for-6 in stealing bases and finished with an OPS of .836, which was second on the team. Right-handed relievers Tony Pena (2002) and Duaner Sanchez (1999) also posted solid numbers - Sanchez did not allow a run in six appearances, while Pena was 2-0 with a save and a 4.00 ERA.

Jordan Norberto (2006), who was just added to the Arizona Diamondbacks' 40-man roster this past December, enjoyed a solid winter for Estrellas de Oriente. In 16 appearances, Norberto went 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA, striking out 15 batters in 13 innings pitched.

Four players with Missoula ties played on two of the teams in the Mexican Pacific League this past winter season - three of which have been regulars over the past few seasons in the Mexican League.

The one who was not was infielder Agustin Murillo (2003), who was reclaimed by the Arizona Diamondbacks before the start of the 2009 season. Murillo spent the season with Triple-A Reno then played this winter for Yaquis de Obregon, along with fellow former Osprey Sergio Lizarraga (2001).

Neither player, however, had a solid winter campaign. Murillo hit just .261 with five home runs and 30 RBI in 48 games, plus stole four bases. Lizarraga was 2-3 with a save and a 5.40 ERA in 22 appearances.

Another position player and pitcher with Osprey lineage played for Tomateros de Culican this past winter season. Jesus Cota (2001), a former Pioneer League Player of the Year, hit .273 with seven home runs and 30 RBIs in 64 games, but was held to a .220 batting average during the MPL playoffs.

Relief pitcher Salvador Valdez (2004) made 23 appearances out of the bullpen during the regular season for Culican, posting a 3-2 record and a 3.48 ERA. In three playoff appearances, Valdez was even better, allowing just one earned run in 6 1/3 post-season innings.

The 2010 version of the Osprey will open their season on June 21 at Helena, and open the home schedule on June 25 against Billings.

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