The Spanish Division de Honor started last weekend into the 2010 season. Four teams made late additions to the roster during the last couple of days.
CB Sant Boi
Already one of the most active teams during the offseason, CB Sant Boi has added the 27-year-old left-handed pitcher Jose Guanchez to the pitching staff. The southpaw from Valencia, Venezuela played three seasons affiliated ball for the Boston Red Sox organization between 2003 and 2005. In 2008 he pitched for Quebec and Ottawa in the independent Can-Am Association. Overall he had a professional record of 11-14 with an ERA of 4.54 in 105 relief appearances. He has struck out 142 batters (70 walks) in 154 2/3 innings. Sant Boi is traveling to Gijon this weekend to face El Llano.
El Llano
El Llano, which nearly had to withdraw its participation in the Division de Honor this year, had no chance against the Astros Valencia last week. They were shut out twice. Now they have also signed a player from Valencia, Venezuela. The 29-year-old outfielder Juan Padilla has joined the club this week. He is not related to the former Puerto Rican Major League reliever with the exact same name. El Llano’s Padilla played two seasons (2000/2001) for Montreal Expos affiliated teams in the Gulf Coast League and NY-Penn-League, batting a combined .217 (OBP .264/SLG .317) with two homeruns, 22 runs and 24 RBI in 69 games.
CB Viladecans
The Spanish record champion CB Viladecans has a new catcher. They have added Denny DeJesus Nino to the 2010 roster. The 26-year-old from Caracas, Venezuela played six years in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system from 2002 to 2007. In 113 games between the Rookie and High-A level he was batting .236 (OBP .297/SLG .324) with two homeruns, 34 runs and 30 RBI.
Baseball Navarra
Last but not least, Baseball Navarra is bringing back Larry Infante. The 24-year-old infielder from Ocumare del Tuy, Venezuela played four seasons for minor league teams of the Anaheim Angels (2005-2008), batting .262 (OBP .319/SLG .360) in 306 games between Rookie and Triple-A ball. He already was a member of Baseball Navarra during the 2009 season. He was second behind Hector Perozo on the club with a batting average of .379 (OBP .427/SLG .641). Infante collected a team-leading 18 extra base hits in 26 games, including four homeruns. He scored 27 times and drove in 14.