Although the Arizona Fall League gets most of the press, as a lot of teams send their top prospects there, there are a few other winter leagues that clubs use to get their prospects some more playing time. So, while some of the Cubs top prospects (Brett Jackson, Josh Vitters, Chris Carpenter and Ryan Flaherty) got to spend the fall in Arizona, several Cubs prospects participated in the Venezuela, Dominican and Mexico Winter Leagues.
Venezuela Winter League
Marwin Gonzalez - Gonzalez had by far the longest stint in the VWL, accumulating 210 AB's while posting a .324/.412/.419 slash line. He may not make anyone's top prospect list, but he can draw a walk (33), makes good contact (only 31 K's) and could play himself into at least a bench role with the Cubs.
Austin Bibens-Dirkx - Dirkx also saw his stock rise with his performance in Venezuela. In 33.2 IP, he had a 1.60 ERA and a 19/9 K/BB ratio.
Marquez Smith - A potential replacement for Aramis Ramirez, Smith had a mediocre winter season, hitting .247/.354/.454 in 97 AB's. However, he did show some pop with 5 HR's.
Tony Campana - Known for his speed, Campana swiped 4 bases in just 50 AB's in the VWL, while hitting .280/.321/.340.
Jason Dubois - at 31 years old, Dubois is no longer considered a prospect, but he continues to show good power, swatting 5 HR's in just 73 AB's with a .274/.346/.507 slash line. A righthanded hitter, he could potentially be used in a plattoon with Tyler Colvin in right field this year.
Craig Muschko - Muschko struggled in the VWL with a 5.95 ERA in 19.2 IP. He did manage a nice 11/3 K/BB ratio.
Eduardo Figueroa - although he posted a nice 2.97 ERA in 31 IP, Figueroa's 13/11 K/BB ratio does not inspire confidence. As a 22 year old who has yet to pitch above Rookie ball, his days as a prospect may be coming to an end.
Carlos Rojas - pitched only 3.1 innings in the VWL while giving up 5 ER. Rojas is another guy who has yet to make it past Rookie ball. He's only 20, so he could still turn it around, but nothing in his track record indicates that that will happen.
Dominican Winter League
Welington Castillo - the Cubs lone representative in the DWL, Castillo didn't fare well, hitting only .193/.239/.313. Perhaps this is why the Cubs continue to resign Koyie Hill each year.
Mexican Winter League
Marco Carrillo - Carrillo had a decent showing in the MWL, with a 4.07 ERA and 55/27 K/BB ratio in 59.2 IP. After pitching at three different levels in 2010, he could get a look in the Cubs pen at some point in 2011.
Oswaldo Martinez - Martinez was roughed up to the tune of 5.29 ERA in 17 IP. However, he had a nice 16/6 K/BB ratio. Still, its hard to see him in the Cubs future plans, as his numbers in the minors just haven't been all that impressive.
Finally, it should be noted that, prior to being traded to the Rays, the Cubs reigning Minor League Player of the Year, Brandon Guyer, hit .348/.444/.435 in 69 AB's in the VWL. Is it too early to try to get him back?
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