Padres’ Christian Villanueva Reports to Obregon In Mexican Pacific League
San Diego Padres’ third baseman Christian Villanueva will play winter ball as he has signed with the Yaquis de Obregon in the Mexican league.
The MLB season has been over for a while now, but there is still professional baseball around the globe, specifically in Latin America.
One of the most competitive baseball leagues in the winter is the Mexican Pacific League that features young promising players, former major leagues, current minor league players, and even some current MLB players.
There are currently four players in the San Diego Padres’ organization playing in the LMP; Juan Carlos Gamboa, Chris Huffman, Adrian Martinez, and Gerardo Reyes.
Christian Villanueva will now be joining his colleagues in Mexico as the Mexican infielder reported with Yaquis de Obregon this Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Villanueva is a star signing for Obregon and should be able to progress and impress as he heads into the 2019 MLB season. The Guadalajara native had an impressive 2018 season as he hit .236/.299/.450 with 20 home runs, 46 RBI, and a 1.8 WAR in 384 plate appearances before his season came to an end in August due to a hand injury. Villanueva was even in Rookie of the Year discussions early in the 2018 season and will be in a very competitive bout for a starting role in 2019 for the Friars.
The 27-year-old played with Yaquis de Obregon back in 2016 where he hit .278/.359/.444 with three home runs in 64 plate appearances. La Tribu is currently fifth in the LMP with a 10-11 record, but is just two games back of first-place Charros de Jalisco as the eight-team league tends to be very competitive.
Luis Urías comenzaría a jugar a finales de noviembre y Víctor Arano a inicios de diciembre. Yaquis de Grandes Ligas. https://t.co/RrthLEgf4Y
— Bambino Sedano (@bambino_sedano) November 7, 2018
Villanueva will join fellow players of the Padres’ organization in Sonora as Juan Carlos Gamboa and Gerardo Reyes both play with Yaquis de Obregon.
Some former and current MLB players that are now teammates with Villanueva include Maikel Cleto, Eury Perez, Cheslor Cuthbert, and ex-Padre Daniel Robertson. Star Friars’ prospect Luis Urias is also set to join La Tribu in late November along with Phillies’ relief pitcher Victor Arano, as reported by Puro Beisbol reporter Jorge Sedano.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.
” had an impressive 2018 season”? Dude, Padres are looking for a new 3rd baseman because he was terrible!