Six players in the Winter Leagues we want to see make a comeback
The time will come for us all -- if it hasn't already -- when some aspect of life will pass us by. Maybe the new trendy social media platform doesn't feel as intuitive to use as the others had or the music they're making these days just sounds too loud. Maybe your job gets replaced by a machine or your back can't handle a full day in the warehouse like it used to.
But what if they are all wrong? You can do the job better than any machine. All your back needed was a week of rest. Now it's as good as it ever was. All you need is one more chance to show them what you've got and prove them all wrong.
For a number of veteran baseball players, the Winter Leagues serve as that chance to show they can still hack it against prospects and Major Leaguers. Even if they haven't played professionally in a couple years, these players believe and are trying to show they can still play. Here are the players we're most excited to see succeed at making a comeback.
When Diaz debuted in 2014 after pitching 12 seasons in the Minors, he joined a long and proud lineage of MLB Jumbos. After a four-year run in MLB from 2014-17, Diaz spent his 2018 season pitching in the Pacific Coast League for the New Orleans Baby Cakes and is now in the Dominican Republic hoping to make an impression.
It's been so far, so good through the first 11 games for Diaz. In 9 2/3 innings, he's struck out 15 batters against only three walks while not allowing any runs.
At his peak, Valverde was an All-Star and one of the top closers in the game, leading his league in saves three times during his career. The right hander was a late bloomer, making his first All-Star team in 2007 as 29-year-old, with a peak lasting through his age-34 season. Now, he's hoping to continue that career trajectory of blooming late as he's 40 years old and hasn't thrown a Major League inning since 2014.
This will mark his fourth season on the Estrellas de Oriente -- managed by Fernando Tatis -- in the Dominican Winter League and, since the third time wasn't a charm last year, he's hoping the fourth time is the charm. So far, it hasn't been pretty. He's only pitched one inning over three appearances, but has surrendered two runs on four hits and a walk in that inning. He has struck out two batters, so maybe there's still a glimmer of hope in the month of games remaining.
Roberto Hernandez -- Toros del Este, DWL
The pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona last pitched in the Majors for the Braves for two starts in August 2016, in which he gave up eight runs across nine innings. It was an inauspicious end to what is best described as a weird Major League career that once saw him celebrate three birthdays at once.
After a two-year absence from the Winter Leagues, Hernandez is back in a relief role. In three innings, the 38-year-old pitcher has struck out three, but also given up three runs on five hits. Despite the early struggles, Hernandez seems as good a candidate to age gracefully as any pitcher. Even at his peak, he was never an overpowering strikeout pitcher. So, if he's grown even more wily as he's aged, he could be in good shape.
Carlos Zambrano -- Navegantes del Magallanes, VWL
Just last year, Zambrano's name appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot, but he failed to receive a single vote from the electorate. Maybe a successful comeback will help him gain some support. That's the idea at least.
Let's check in on what's happening. As a starter, Zambrano hasn't been doing so hot. In 11 1/3 innings across four starts, he's allowed 21 runs on 30 hits and five walks. That's a 15.88 ERA if you're keeping track at home. Fortunately, Zambrano has also pitched out of the bullpen and he's been a lot better in his 7 1/3 innings in that role, allowing no runs and only four baserunners.
Even though he's pitched both as a starter and reliever, it still feels like we haven't seen all Big Z can offer so far this winter. I mean, the guy hasn't grabbed a bat yet! He hit 24 home runs in the Majors. Let the man hit!
We all miss Torres' safety-first approach to on-field fashion. MLB is just a little bit worse without the reliever's Super Mario-esque padded hats:
Torres was the first pitcher to wear a padded hat to protect his head on the mound, but he was also a pretty effective reliever for the Rays, Padres and Mets with a 2.68 ERA in 154 1/3 career innings. At only 30 years old, Torres may well have plenty left for a comeback.
The question is whether he can reign in a concerning walk rate that has derailed his post-MLB career. In two innings in the Venezuelan Winter League, Torres has given up seven runs and walked four. He walked 6.6 per nine in last year's VWL appearance, so, unfortunately, this may just be more of the same.
Let's hope he can get that walk-rate down, because there's a real lack of padded hats in the current game.
Endy Chavez -- Navegantes del Magallanes, VWL
Chavez hasn't played in the Majors since 2014 and has spent the past three seasons playing in Mexico and Independent Leagues. This winter, he's back playing his ninth season for Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League. The 40-year-old has held his own with the bat, hitting .296 with a .706 OPS in 90 plate appearances.
That's nice to see, but defense was always Chavez's calling card on the diamond and that range in the outfield does not seem to have deserted him as he's aged.
