Steve%20Orbanek Archive

With the Dominican Winter League Championship Series wrapped up, the championship action continues in the championship series of the Puerto Rican and Venezuelan winter leagues. A couple of Indians are still in action and hoping that they can help lead their team to the championship. The IBI's Steve Orbanek touches on those Indians and their performances in this week's edition of the Winter Ball Notebook.

The IBI's Steve Orbanek returns with this week's edition of Then & Now, which looks at left-handed pitcher Scott Barnes. Barnes made his debut with the Indians last season and left a favorable impression, but what does the future hold? Last season, Barnes was a reliever, but could he possibly again be positioned to be a starter? Steve ponders after the jump.

Ezequiel Carrera was the only Indian in action on Wednesday, though the left-handed hitter was competing in an important game as it was game one of the VWL Championship Series. Also, Carrera's teammate Carlos Zambrano was on the mound for Navegantes del Magallanes, and he could be an intriguing option for the Indians to explore as a possible minor league signing. The IBI's Steve Orbanek recaps all the action as he takes you Around the Farm.

It was a quiet night in the winter leagues on Tuesday as only two Indians players were in action. Edward Paredes was playing in the Dominican Winter League Championship Series while Rob Bryson was in action in the Puerto Rican Winter League Championship Series. Was Bryson able to keep his perfect winter season intact? Find out as the IBI's Steve Orbanek takes you Around the Farm.

It was an eventful night in the winter leagues on Friday as both the Dominican and Puerto Rican League Championship Series began. Roberto Perez and Delvi Cid were among the Indians in action, plus Andrew Campbell and Quincy Latimore continue to impress in the Australian Baseball League. The IBI's Steve Orbanek recaps all the action as he takes you Around the Farm.

The Championship Series matchups have been decided in the DWL and PWL, which means that the winter seasons have come to an end for a number of Indians, including the beloved Jose Ramirez. The IBI's Steve Orbanek touches on Ramirez and his fine winter season as well as many other Indians players still competing in winter ball in his latest edition of the Winter Ball Notebook.

The winter seasons are quickly coming to a close, but a few Indians players were still at it on Wednesday. Asdrubal Cabrera and Ezequiel Carrera each recorded hits for their clubs in the VWL. Plus, Jose Ramirez may have competed in one of his final games of the winter season. The IBI's Steve Orbanek recaps all the action as he takes you Around the Farm.

Jose Ramirez continues to impress and progress at the plate. That was evident on Tuesday as the switch-hitting infielder was just a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. Also, Asdrubal Cabrera and recently acquired pitcher Jerry Gil were among the other Indians players in winter ball action on Tuesday. The IBI's Steve Orbanek recaps all of the night's action and statistics as he takes you Around the Farm.

Coming off of major surgery, Chen-Chang Lee is one of many Indians pitchers that is now somewhat of a question mark heading into the 2013 season. Lee was once one of the most dominant relievers in the Indians system, but what can be expected from him as he makes his way back from the surgery? The IBI's Steve Orbanek recaps Lee's career in this week's edition of Then & Now.

A number of Indians players had strong performances in the winter leagues on Friday. Asdrubal Cabrera and Andrew Campbell each had multi-hit performances while Rob Bryson continued to shut down the opposition. Plus, Jesus Aguilar and Jose Ramirez continued to build upon their strong winter seasons. The IBI's Steve Orbanek recaps all of the night's action as he takes your Around the Farm.

The playoffs continue in the Venezuelan, Dominican and Puerto Rican Winter Leagues, and a few Indians players have upped their game as they push forward for a chance at a league championship. In particular, Jesus Aguilar launched three home runs this past week, and Asdrubal Cabrera continues to impress at the plate. The IBI's Steve Orbanek recaps all the action and provides all of the winter statistics in this week's edition of the Winter Ball Notebook.

Just one year ago, Austin Adams was one of the most talked about prospects in the Indians farm system. The hard-throwing right-hander had just completed a brilliant 2011 campaign, and he seemed poised for another... until injuries hit. Now, it's hard to say what lies ahead for Adams, but he's certainly not the prospect he was a year ago. What exactly is in store for Adams? The IBI's Steve Orbanek opines when he looks at Adams' career in this week's edition of Then & Now.

Jesus Aguilar's early winter struggles seem to be a thing of the past, and the hulking first baseman provided further evidence for that argument on Wednesday when he recorded a home run in his third straight game. Aguilar was not the only member of Leones del Caracas to impress on the evening though as Asdrubal Cabrera had a great night at the plate and collected three hits. The IBI's Steve Orbanek recaps all of the night's action as he takes you Around the Farm.

Jose Ramirez's strong winter season continued on Tuesday as the switch-hitting second baseman socked his first home run in the Dominican Winter League. Also, Ezequiel Carrera put together a solid performance in the Venezuelan Winter League and Roberto Perez was in action in the Puerto Rican Winter League. The IBI's Steve Orbanek recaps all of the night's action as he takes you Around the Farm.

Rob Bryson has been creating some buzz this winter thanks to his outstanding performance in the Puerto Rican Winter League, but he is hardly ever mentioned when discussions arise about Major League relief pitching options. What does the future hold for Bryson, and does the right-handed pitcher have a future with the Indians? The IBI's Steve Orbanek looks back on Bryson's career in this week's edition of Then & Now.

After taking Thursday off, Asdrubal Cabrera was back at it with a vengeance on Friday as the switch-hitting shortstop collected three hits in Venezuelan Winter League playoff action. Plus, over in the Puerto Rican Winter League, Rob Bryson continued his recent string of impressive performances. The IBI's Steve Orbanek recaps all of the night's action as he takes you Around the Farm.