Yoel Hernandez has gotten off to a good start in his quest to secure a spot in the Phillies bullpen, as the right-hander has made winter ball look easy.

Hernandez already has seven saves in 12 appearances for the Zulia Aguilas of the Venezualan Winter League, and a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings through Nov. 16. He's also struck out 13 against just two walks.

It's the type of performance needed for a pitcher hoping to realize his dream of pitching in the Major Leagues. The Phillies should have competition for two available bullpen spots, after Rheal Cormier, Aaron Fultz and the closer. One more spot would be available if Ryan Madson moves to the rotation.

In holding opposing batters to a .235 batting average, Hernandez has shown the type of effectiveness that the Phillies predicted of him. His performance is a continuation of a quick ride that began at Class A Lakewood and ended at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Spending most of his time with the Red Barons, Hernandez tossed 55 2/3 innings and stuck out 52, while compiling a 3.40 ERA. All of his 53 appearances at three levels came in relief. Hernandez could be following the path taken by Rob Tejeda, who accelerated his ascent to the Majors by opening eyes over the winter.

Hernandez is only one of 14 Phillies toiling in four countries this winter. He is joined on Zulia by third baseman Orlando Guevara, who's gone 1-for-3 with a double over three games.

Winter League regulars Tomas Perez and Endy Chavez are teammates with the Magallanes Navigators, while Danny Sandoval starts for the Occidente Pastora. All three are playing regularly and off to fine starts, with Sandoval's .321 and three homers leading the way.

Perez is batting .269 with one homer, while Chavez is at .273.

Six farmhands are playing in the Dominican Republic, and half are on Gigantes. Hard-throwing Aquilino Lopez is the familiar name here, but he has a 5.40 ERA over 6 1/3 innings. Franklin Perez and Juan Richardson are his teammates.

An intriguing name here is catcher Carlos Ruiz, who has continued his hot second-half hitting at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a fine start for Licey. He's hitting. 323 through 31 at-bats, and could wind up as Philadelphia's backup catcher next season.

The Mexican Pacific League also brings some excitement, as Chris Roberson sizzles for the Hermosillo Orange Growers. The switch-hitter, who led Double-A Reading with 172 hits last season, has stayed hot with a .297 batting average and 10 extra-base hits through 101 at-bats. He's also stolen six bases.

Infielder Chris Coste has clubbed four homers for the Obregon Yaquis in the Mexican Pacific League, while batting .260.

In Puerto Rico, prospect Gavin Floyd is looking to regroup from a subpar 2005 season and claim a spot in Philadelphia's starting rotation. The right-hander, who had a 6.16 ERA in 24 appearances at Scranton, has a 7.50 ERA is two starts for Arecibo.

The Phillies will be watching Floyd closely.

"Winter ball is going to be important to him," said assistant general manager Mike Arbuckle. "If he's going to be a realistic candidate for the rotation, he needs to show everyone that he's on a positive track. That's one of the primary reasons we wanted him to go, for his development and to show us that he's ready."