[caption id="attachment_77" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-77" src="http://baseballbrazil.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Paulo-Orlando2-300x181.jpg" alt="Paulo Orlando - Photo credit: elimpulso.com" width="300" height="181" /> Paulo Orlando - Photo credit: elimpulso.com[/caption]

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Bem-vindo a 2016! It’s been a while since I’ve done a blog post but it’s not for a lack of activity going on in the world of Brazilian Baseball. So let’s catch up on the latest going on:

Not resting on his laurels, or his World Series Championship, Kansas City outfielder <strong>Paulo Orlando</strong> decided to go back to the Venezuelan Winter League and keep honing his game. Orlando hit .295 with an .849 OPS in 27 games for the Cardenales of Lara, including 4 home runs. It will be interesting to see what happens to Orlando in 2016 with the Royals, though at the moment he appears to be firmly entrenched as the 4<sup>th</sup> outfielder for KC in their depth chart. I personally believe he could start for a number of MLB teams now.

[caption id="attachment_78" align="alignleft" width="180"]<img class="size-full wp-image-78" src="http://baseballbrazil.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/553891.jpg" alt="Leonardo Reginatto - Photo credit: milb.com" width="180" height="270" /> Leonardo Reginatto - Photo credit: milb.com[/caption]

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It was announced late last month that infielder <strong>Leonardo Reginatto</strong> had signed a minor league free agent contract with the <strong>Minnesota Twins</strong>. Reginatto had spent his entire career since 2009 in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, getting as high as Triple A last season. Reginatto is considered the next Brazilian with the best chance to make it to The Show. If so, it looks like it would be with the Twins. Up until last week, Reginatto had been playing winter ball in Panama with the Caballos of Coclé, where he was a candidate for league MVP honors this season. Reginatto was also joined in Coclé by Brazilian pitcher <strong>Murilo Gouvea</strong>, who briefly pitched in 2015 for Triple A Fresno (HOU) after not playing professional baseball the previous two seasons.

[caption id="attachment_79" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-79" src="http://baseballbrazil.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ANDRE-RIENZO-690-300x169.jpg" alt="Andre Rienzo - photo credit: lidom.com" width="300" height="169" /> Andre Rienzo - photo credit: lidom.com[/caption]

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Pitcher <strong>Andre Rienzo</strong> got some bad news last week when he was designated for assignment by the Miami Marlins, meaning he was removed from the major league roster and put on waivers. If he goes through waivers unclaimed, then he’d report to the Marlins minor league camp this season. Hopefully, Rienzo can catch on to another major league roster. Rienzo also pitched for Las Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Winter League earlier this winter.

[caption id="attachment_80" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-80" src="http://baseballbrazil.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/hi-res-a690f6d31c5af643d8b24006ea8d6dc5_crop_north-300x200.jpg" alt="Yan Gomes - photo credit: bleacherreport.com" width="300" height="200" /> Yan Gomes - photo credit: bleacherreport.com[/caption]

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Cleveland Indians catcher <strong>Yan Gomes </strong>is also hoping for a bounce back 2016. After suffering a knee injury early last season, Gomes only really started to get back into form at the tail end of the year. For sure the expectations in Cleveland for Gomes are pretty high. Oddly enough, it was new teammate outfielder Rajai Davis who took Gomes out in a collision at home plate last season that caused the knee injury.

[caption id="attachment_81" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-81" src="http://baseballbrazil.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Missaki960_j9l0qiou_c1zh7pg6-300x169.jpg" alt="Daniel Missaki - Photo credit: milb.com" width="300" height="169" /> Daniel Missaki - Photo credit: milb.com[/caption]

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Pitcher <strong>Daniel Missaki</strong> was also on the move last month, being traded by the Seattle Mariners organization to Milwaukee in a deal involving first baseman/DH Adam Lind moving over to Seattle. Missaki had Tommy John surgery early last season so hopefully he can bounce back to 2014 form when he went 6-3 in 11 starts with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP for Pulaski of the Appalachian League (R).

[caption id="attachment_82" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-82" src="http://baseballbrazil.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/1446623799489-300x169.jpg" alt="Rafael Fernandes - Photo credit: canberratimes.com" width="300" height="169" /> Rafael Fernandes - Photo credit: canberratimes.com[/caption]

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Meanwhile, in Australia (yes, Australia) journeyman pitcher <strong>Rafael Fernandes</strong> helped lead the Canberra Cavalry to a spot in the ABL playoffs over the weekend. Fernandes is based out of Japan, where he had pitched for the Yakult Swallows for a number of years, but has left the door open to return to Australian baseball. Fernandes was also a key starting pitcher for the Brazilian national team in the last WBC. Since Fernandes is only 29, who knows what the future has in store for him.

[caption id="attachment_83" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-83" src="http://baseballbrazil.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/DSCN1782-300x225.jpg" alt="Andre Rienzo - Photo credit: cbbs.com.br" width="300" height="225" /> Andre Rienzo - Photo credit: cbbs.com.br[/caption]

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Back in Brazil, last month’s CBBS Adult baseball championships culminated in a final between <strong>Atibaia</strong> and <strong>Marília</strong>. Basically what happens is that the top teams load up on the best players they can find hanging around before Christmas, including many current and former pro players. Andre Rienzo happened to be one of them and suited up once again for Atibaia, helping them to win the championship game as well as take home MVP honors for himself. In some ways, it may not seem fair, but it is good to see Rienzo and a lot of the other pros giving back to the sport in Brazil.

[caption id="attachment_84" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-84" src="http://baseballbrazil.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/mlbf_330662683_th_45-300x169.jpg" alt="Barry Larkin - Photo credit: mlb.com" width="300" height="169" /> Barry Larkin - Photo credit: mlb.com[/caption]

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Speaking of which, both Rienzo and Orlando will be on hand next week for the 6th annual MLB International Elite Camp, which features 46 of the top up and coming players out of South America for tryouts in front of MLB team scouts. Also on hand will be MLB Hall of Famer and current Brazil team manager, <strong>Barry Larkin</strong>. The Elite Camp will be held at the CBBS complex in Ibiúna from January 25<sup>th</sup> through February 3<sup>rd</sup>.