Jose Ascanio Ringing Up Saves

It's playoff time in the Caribbean. Playoffs are underway in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Venezuela. That's where Jose Ascanio is, saving games for Caracas, the premier club the VWL. Given that status, Ascanio should move on, in some capacity, and represent Venezuela in the Caribbean World Series. I'd expect him in the bullpen in the WBC, too, but further on down the bench. The 2006 Venezuelan entry included some less prominent pitchers than Ascanio.

Ascanio hasn't been the only closer this Winter for los Leones. He lost the job to Jorge Julio, but won it back*. Julio was a little wild, and has an exaggerated ERA that's five runs higher than Ascanio's. Julio worked just over a third as much as Ascanio but finished with one less save (six).

*I did a comparison of the two Caracas closers back in November when Julio first took over. I thought Julio had the better stuff, but it looks like Ascanio is advancing, or has advanced. I'm also not sure why Julio is out of the picture - he left for "personal reasons" in December, but take that for what it's worth.

The post-season has been a different story. The Venezuelan Winter League conducts a round robin phase to start their playoffs, so the teams play a bunch games before the head-to-head championship series. So far, Caracas is 7-6 and Jose Ascanio has closed the deal each time they've needed it to be done - five saves in five opportunities.

A year ago, Carlos Marmol was thrust into the closer's job for Licey. Like Caracas in Venezuela, Licey is the most popular and successful team in the Dominican. I'm just pointing that out as a fond remembrance. Nothing more. Maybe.