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04/06/2006 Archived Entry: "Mexican Players Released and Emerging Rookies"
By Carlos Fragoso
Certainly the World Baseball Classic was a good exhibition room for many players in the attempt to make room in the upcoming major league season, also served as a graveyard for others who in the legitimate pride of representing their countries lost momentum , therefore the possibility of making it into the big show.
This not apply only to mexican players, however and provided that our representation in the big show are lowering year after year, it was really painful to see closer Luis Ayala get re- injured of his right elbow when he was well recovering form a serious surgery, Erubiel Durazo who signed a minor league contract with Rangers and been released right before the beginning, but probably the most painful ne was to see OF Luis Alfonso Garcia a young and powerful hitter, failing to make it in the New York Yankees roster, despite of the fact that he whacked a couple of home runs and driving in 8 runs.
Baltimore Orioles released C, Geronimo Gil now starring in mexican league with Mexico City Red Devils.
Another big surprise was to see Caribbean Series all star 2B Edgar Gonzalez being released by Washington, in regrdless of his good spring training performance, hitting over .400 with 2 round trippers, and fortunately Florida Marlins are giving a chance to still play in double or triple A depending on the physiacl exam he was taken.
Knasa City released veteran SS, Benji Gil while , affordable catcher Miguel Ojeda made the team as a back up for Colorado Rockies, after trying hard in the spring training, also IF Alfredo Amezaga made the roster with Marlins as utili player.
So noww, let`s hope that emerging rookie stars like Luis Cruz ( AA, Padres ), Ramiro Peņa ( AA Yankees ) , brothers Cota, older Jesus an Arizona Diamonbacks farmhand and Luis a promising young hurler in the KC Royals system , Carlos Piste a surehanded 2B , who has been recently traded by the Cincinnatti Reds to Florida among others , might have the right stuff to replace those who have stopped in the attempt to continue playing in the big leagues and to hopefully ramp up th numbers of mexican players representing our country overthere.
