Astros Winter League Recaps: An Intro to Panamanian Baseball

The major winter leagues in the Caribbean were largely off on Monday, but another league in Panama, the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de Panamá, or Probeis, kicked off play on Monday. The Astros have players on all 4 teams in the league, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Here is the official website of the league: http://probeispanama.com/

One note: the entire site is in Spanish.

Indios de Urracá

Urracá was an indigenous freedom fighter, taking on the conquistadors of Spain in the territory that we now consider modern-day Panama. He was captured by the Spanish after falling into a trap and was about to be sent to Spain, but he escaped captivity and continued his resistance for several more years. 

This team represents the province of Veraguas, located in the west-central part of the country. Veraguas borders the Pacific Ocean on its southern coast.

The Astros are represented by 3 pitchers: RHPs Jose Montero and Juan Delis, and LHP Cris Santamaria (I got tired of typing Cristhopher). Carlos Gonzalez, a coach in the Astros organization, is on the coaching staff for Indios. I do not know if he really is an Astros coach because I don't see his name listed under the coaching staffs of the minor league affiliates, or if he is, then he's probably a DSL coach.

Caballos de Coclé

Coclé, on the central coast, shares a border with Veraguas to its west. The city of Aguadulce, in the southwestern part of the province, is best known as the hometown of El Caballo, Carlos Lee. 

The Astros have 5 players on the roster: RHPs Blaine Sims and Travis Ballew, SS/2B Jack Mayfield, 1B/DH Telvin Nash, and 3B Tyler White. Along with Jose Montero, they are the non-Panamanian contingent representing the Astros on the isthmus.

Industriales de Herrera

Nestled into the south-central coast of Panama, Herrera Province shares borders with Coclé and Veraguas. 

RHP Agapito Barrios is on the active roster, while utilityman Rodrigo Ayarza is on the "active reserve" list. RHP Edgardo Sandoval and SS Ozziel Sanchez, who is a member of the Astros' 2014 international free agent class, are on the "inactive reserve" list. 

Águilas Metropolitanas

Representing Panama City, this is Panama's capital club. RHP Harold Arauz is the Astros' lone representative on the team.

Panama uses Eastern Time. There were supposed to be 2 games, but I believe one of them was rained out because the box score isn't available.

Caballos 12, Industriales 2

The hosts, Caballos, romped as they scored in all but the first 2 innings. Telvin Nash finished 2-4 with a 2-run homer, Jack Mayfield went 1-5 with a run scored, and Tyler White went 0-2 with 2 walks and a run scored. 

Agapito Barrios got the start for Industriales and threw 1.1 scoreless, walking 3 and striking out 2.

These two teams will play again at 7:00 Eastern.