Haphazard Preview for a Game You’ll Never See

A point that is often overlooked within any discussion of baseball — whether it’s in print or amongst friends — is how utterly and entirely useless the game is. Yes, it probably has some role in the construction and maintenance of regional identity or as a means by which one can become acquainted with concepts integral to the field of statistics. These are mostly secondary products of the sport, however — and certainly not the reason for its existence.

Its wild lack of utility isn’t a weakness of the pastime, however, but rather an argument decidedly in its favor. Aristotle celebrates in one of his texts what he calls autotelic activities — that is, the sort of endeavors in which one participates as an end in themselves. Aristotle argues that contemplation is such an activity. Except among Catholic people over the age of 65, sex is often discussed in the same terms. Baseball, like most sports, is another example of an autotelic enterprise: one plays or consumes it to no other end than for the purposes of enjoyment*.

*A suggestion which, admittedly, is problematized by the existence of the Phillies and their fans.

This post is a small monument built in honor of the Useless — insofar, that is, as it’s a preview not merely of a spring-training game or a Mexican League game, but rather a spring-training game in the Mexican League. Tomorrow, along with Craig Robinson of the Internet, the author is attending that kind of contest in Mexico City between the home Diablos Rojos and also Pericos de Puebla.

So that I might have more than zero clues when I arrive at it, I’ve conducted some research concerning the game. Below are the findings of that research — of use, as I say, to almost no one.

Where It Is
Between 2000 and 2014, Diablos Rojas played at Foro Sol; however, that venue appears now to be reserved for the return of Formula 1 to Mexico (large advertisements celebrating which event one finds when arriving in the international terminal of the airport). As a result, the club is moving temporarily to Estadio Fray Nano. Formerly a park for local amateur clubs, the field and stands have been remodeled to better accommodate the professional game.

Here’s a sad satellite image of Estadio Fray Nano, presumably before the aforementioned renovations:

While Foro Sol featured a capacity of roughly 50 thousand, Fray Nano is decidedly smaller, able to seat roughly five thousand fans according to Robinson.

Who’s Playing in It That One Might Recognize
Though he’s not currently listed on the team’s roster, Puebla recently signed former actual major-leaguer Miguel Tejada. Right-hander Armando Galarraga, owner of expressly not a major-league perfect game, is also employed by that club. The latter appears to have played for the Chinatrust Brother Elephants of Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League last season. Former Colorado center fielder Willy Taveras begins his second season with Puebla.

Among the home team’s squad, one finds Japhet Amador, briefly a member of the Astros, who had signed both him and Leo Heras out of the Mexico City club. John Lindsey appeared in only a few major-leauge games but led the Mexican League last year in home runs. Right-hander Manny Acosta pitches in relief for the Diablos. He recorded 248.0 innings in that same role with Atlanta and the Mets.

Who’s Playing in It That Might Possess Some Talent
Many of the players in the Liga Mexicana are too old to be considered actual prospects for the American major leagues. Alberto Carreon (466 PA, 133 wRC+ in 2014) is one of Puebla’s best hitters, however, and has recorded the majority of the club’s starts at shortstop each of the last two seasons, suggesting he possesses some defensive skills, too. At 27, he’s not expressly old yet. Jon Del Campo (341 PA, 145 wRC+) is the same age and features roughly the same offensive profile at third base — although with decidedly less control of the strike zone.

Diablos feature two even younger players with an interesting combination of offensive and defensive value. Center fielder Carlos Figueroa produced a 113 wRC+ in 473 plate appearances last year as just a 22-year-old. Juan Gamboa (356 PA, 118 wRC+), meanwhile, posted roughly the same line as a 23-year-old shortstop for the club. The club recently published a profile on a third young player, 22-year-old outfielder Jose Figueroa. Figueroa was a member of the Yankees organization for the last four years.