Crazy things tend to happen in Winter League baseball. In the Venezuelan Winter League this weekend, Detroit Tigers pitcher Bruce Rondon, playing for Magallanes, got into a brawl with Pirates minor leaguer Jose Osuna, playing for Margarita.
It looks like the cause of the brawl was Osuna having an issue with Rondon’s pickoff attempt, which led to some words being exchanged. Osuna was the lone batter Rondon faced in the game, and he was plunked on the fourth pitch of the at bat. Rondon then charged Osuna at first base, Osuna threw his helmet at Rondon, both benches and bullpens cleared, and all hell broke loose.
Both Rondon and Osuna were ejected, along with Jesus Sucre and Jean Machi of Magallanes and Eliezer Alfonzo, Luis Ramirez, and manager Henry Blanco of Margarita.
Rondon threw 31 innings in the majors for the Tigers in 2015, pitching to a 5.81 ERA, striking out 36 and walking 19. He’s thrown just four innings this winter, striking out four and walking six while allowing one run.
Osuna split last year between high-A and AA with the Pirates, hitting a combined .286./329/.435 with 12 homers. Saturday was also his 23rd birthday, so happy birthday, Jose! You’re an internet sensation!
