For only the second time in his six-year professional career, Steven Moya punched six RBI on the board, playing a key role in securing a playoff berth for the Toros del Este with a 12-7 victory last Monday in the Dominican Republic.
In addition, Moya also managed to wrap the evening going 3-for-3 at the plate, launching his fourth home run on the year and scoring another pair of runs for the Toros.
Jonrón de Steven Moya en la victoria 12-7 de @TorosdelEste para asegurar su clasificación. Cortesía de @AFPSiembra pic.twitter.com/92rR1kPu8c
— LIDOM (@LIDOMRD) December 21, 2015
At the age of 24, one major question coming into 2016 will be the placement of the 6'7 outfielder within the Detroit organization. With his ability to hit for power never in question, a 30.2 strikeout percentage at the Triple-A level this season also raises the question of offensive consistency; consistency that will prove a vital key to survival in Moya's hopes of advancing at the major league level. Through 35 games, Moya is hitting .298/.350/.466 with eight doubles, four home runs and 27 RBI.
While Moya maintains his position as a fan favorite in the Dominican, a 24.1 strikeout percentage rate in International play is hard to ignore.
Elsewhere in the Dominican, although his most memorable experience with the Tigers may not have gone according to plan, Jordany Veldespin has decided to let bygones be bygones and expressing excitement about his new club.
Looking forward to this opportunity with the tigers. Great organization & another chance to play... https://t.co/hNQnvK4Esp
— Jordany Valdespin (@jordany023) December 24, 2015
The 28-year-old left fielder signed a minor league deal with Detroit in December with assignment to Triple-A Toledo.
Since entering the league in 2007, Veldespin has seen action at the major league level with two clubs, including the New York Mets and most recently, the Miami Marlins in 2015, submitting four trips to the plate without a hit.
With the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs this season, Valdespin fell just below .300 at the plate, hitting .293/.348/.387, adding an 11.3 strikeout percentage over 76 games with 12 doubles and 20 RBI.
Australian Baseball League
Known to the Perth, Australia, locals simply as "Wazza," hometown favorite Warwick Saupold made his return to the mound on Dec. 19, sporting the Perth Heat uniform in the ninth round of play in the Australian Baseball League.
We might be 5th, but we're not done. Wazza's back and it's time for the #HappyHeaters to have some fun. pic.twitter.com/XrYNvlOS02
— Perth Heat (@PerthHeat) December 17, 2015
The 25-year-old righthander began 2015 with his third assignment to the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, since first joining the Tigers organization in 2012. Saupold appeared in 23 games with Erie, starting 15 of them for 103 1/3 innings of work.
Saupold worked 19 games with the SeaWolves before being selected for a spot start with Triple-A Toledo on July 28. Following a four-game return to the Double-A stage, Saupold earned his second promotion of the year, alongside hurling partner Joe Mantiply to close out the year with the Mud Hens. Saupold issued a 10.3 strikeout rate per nine innings in his time with Toledo, averaged over 20 1/3 innings of work.
Since making his debut with the Heat, Saupold has posted a pair of losses, allowing two runs off three hits through two games.
In Sydney, the Blue Sox will be down a closer, following the conclusion of their road series with Brisbane as Calvin Drummond will make his return to the states just in time to ring in 2016.
In his final home game w/ @SydneyBlueSox, P @CalvinDrummnd22 picks up Save no. 6 in a 5-3 win. (cc: @jessicalalor) pic.twitter.com/TKpKtfnxaE
— Emily Waldon (@wefoundwaldo2) December 20, 2015
In his final home game w/ @SydneyBlueSox, P @CalvinDrummnd22 picks up Save no. 6 in a 5-3 win. (cc: @jessicalalor) pic.twitter.com/TKpKtfnxaE
— Emily Waldon (@wefoundwaldo2) December 20, 2015Along with representing the Blue Sox as a member of Team World in the Australian Baseball League All-Star game, the 6'3 righty concluded his Australian campaign with a team-high six saves, posting a 5.7 rate of walks per nine innings; roughly a two-point rate climb from his regular season performance.