Dominican Player of Week 2: Alexi Ogando

Alexi Ogando only pitched one time during week two, but combined with his week one performance he is worthy of the Dominican Baseball Guy's player of week 2.  Ogando started the season by shutting out the Mariners in six innings pitched, in his first career start.  He followed that up with seven innings and no runs against the Tigers.  In his first two starts of his career here is his line: 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 13 innings, 8 K.

Ogando has been featured in two recent posts from the Dominican Baseball Guy, so just check the tags at the bottom of this post to see those.  After going through a long legal process in which he was accused of visa fraud, Ogando debuted last year and was one of the best relievers in baseball.  He ended with a 1.30 ERA in 42 innings.  He was not scheduled to start for the Rangers this season, but moved into the rotation after some injuries.  It will be hard for Ron Washington to move him back to the bullpen if he keeps this pace up.  Ogando is from San Pedro de Macoris, DR.

Other Dominicans in week 2: Neftali Feliz (Azua, DR): 3.1 innings, 3 saves, 0.00 ERA, Vladimir Guerrero (Nizao, DR) 8-25, Manny Ramirez (Santo Domingo): retired from MLB

Alexi Ogando, by Red3Biggs

Dominican Player of Week 1: Starlin Castro

Starlin Castro shared NL Player of the Week honors with Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia, so this gets him the Dominican Baseball Guy's Dominican Player of the Week.

Castro is a young talent for the Cubs, as they signed him out of the Dominican Republic at the age of 16 in 2006, and he debuted last season playing in 125 games for the big league club.  He hit .300 last year which was good for 10th in the NL, and fielding short stop is one of his strengths.  So, he should only improve this year and after week one he was leading the majors with a .615 average.  A recent fantasy update predicted him as the 12th best option at short stop in the majors.  Castro is from Monte Cristi, DR.

Other Dominicans in week 1: Nelson Cruz (Monte Cristi, DR): 3 HR, 3 RBI, .364, Neftali Feliz (Azua, DR): 2 innings, 2 K, 0.00 ERA, David Ortiz (Santo Domingo): 2 HR, 4 RBI

Starlin Castro with the Cubs last year, by Gamefreak777 

Several Dominican pitchers scheduled to close for their teams

Six Major League Baseball teams have already penciled in Dominican pitchers to close for their team.  Additionally, their are two other Dominicans that will probably see time in the closer role for their team at some point this season.

Among them are Neftali Feliz (Azua, Dominican Republic), Carlos Marmol (Bonao), and Jose Valverde (San Pedro de Macoris).

See the rest of the Dominican closers and the full article at the Dominican Baseball Examiner

Neftali Feliz pitches, by RWH on Flickr

Houston Astros sign several Dominican players, add to Dominicans on roster

The Houston Astros have added some key arms to their roster this offseason.  First, they resigned Wandy Rodriguez (see the AP article).  The Dominican Baseball Guy thinks Wandy is an ace or at least a number two starter.  He won the Dominican Baseball Guy player of the month for August 2010.  Wandy is from Santiago, DR.

Next, they signed Enerio del Rosario.  He debuted for the Reds last year and should see time in the Astros bullpen this season, after he had a strong winter season in the Dominican Winter Baseball League (LIDOM).  They also resigned Jimmy Paredes, who is on the 40 man roster, but will most likely start next year in the minors.  Parades came to the Astros in the Lance Berkman deal.  Enerio is from Santa Lucia, DR and Paredes is from Haina, DR.  Brian Mctaggart reported these deals here.

Most recently the Astros resigned Alberto Arias (see the details from Sports Blog Nation Houston).  Arias missed all of 2010 with an injury, but should see time in the Astros bullpen if he continues to recover from the rotator cuff injury.  Alberto is from the capital of the DR, Santo Domingo.

These signings are in addition the following Dominican players on the Astros 40 man roster: Fernando Abad (La Romana, DR), Henry Villar (Bonao), Jorge DeLeon (La Cega Azua), and Aneury Rodriguez (Higuey).  There are also several non-roster Dominican invitees to spring training.