Fall/Winter League Roundup: November 12-18

The Surprise Saguaros finished third in the Arizona Fall League with a 17-14-1 record as the Red Sox contingent appeared in their final games this week. Other winter leagues continued to ramp up, while two Red Sox players participated in the World Baseball Classic Qualifier.

Arizona Fall League

Michael Almanzar appeared in three games this week, going 2 for 11 with two doubles. Almanzar struggled mightily this fall, posting a .185/.272/.235 line in 81 at-bats. Each team is only allowed to enter one position player in the AFL who played below the Double-A level in the previous season, and since Almanzar was that player this year, his struggles are not surprising.

Bryce Brentz also appeared in three games this week, with similar results. After a 2 for 5 performance on Tuesday, Brentz went 0 for 7 over his final two games, bringing his final line to .297/.366/.438. The numbers were very close to what he produced during the regular season in 2012, but the lack of power was disappointing considering the offensive environment.

Continuing his push for a 40-man roster spot, Brock Huntzinger (pictured) pitched well in his only appearance this week, striking out two in a scoreless inning. Huntzinger allowed only three earned runs in 14 innings this fall, walking six and striking out 12.

Ryan Pressly's 18-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio was the best on the team, but he was also very hittable, allowing 18 hits and three home runs over 14 innings.

Pete Ruiz finished his nightmarish fall season with an 8.25 ERA after allowing two runs in his one inning of work this week.

World Baseball Classic Qualifier

New Zealand went 2-2 in the tournament, losing to Chinese Taipei in the finals, ending their bid for a spot in the World Baseball Classic. Boss Moanaroa went 4 for 14 with a home run, and Beau Bishop went 2 for 10 with a double, but did draw five walks in only fifteen plate appearances.

Venezuelan Winter League

Yeiper Castillo was shelled for four runs in 2 2/3 innings this week, raising his ERA to 4.41.

Ronald Bermudez saw limited action, going 0 for 2, but did score a run as a pinch runner.

Mexican Pacific League 

Marco Duarte allowed six runs on seven hits over four innings in his only start this week.

Australian Baseball League

Daniel McGrath tossed two perfect innings, striking out two in his second appearance for the Melbourne Aces. Moanaroa will likely join this league after New Zealand was eliminated on Sunday from the WBC Qualifier.

Dominican Winter League

Fan-favorite Pedro Ciriaco (pictured) debuted this week, going 4 for 18 with a double, triple, and three runs scored.

Knuckleballer Steven Wright tossed a gem on Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits over six innings, walking none and striking out five.

Sandy Rosario threw two shutout innings in relief this week, giving up one hit and striking out three.

It was another cold week at the plate for Dan Butler, who recorded only two hits in his 12 at-bats. His average dropped to .200 in 22 games for the Toros del Este.

Mauro Gomez had a solid week at the plate, going 5 for 14 with a double, home run, and two walks. After struggling initially, Gomez has been on a tear lately, with a 1.104 OPS over his last 10 games.

Roberto Clemente (Puerto Rico) Baseball League

After a promising outing his first time out, Anthony Ranaudo was shellacked for six runs on six hits in only 1 2/3 innings.

Jeremy Kehrt continued to have success, throwing five shutout innings to extend his scoreless streak to 8 2/3 innings over his first two appearances.

Jose De La Torre surrendered two runs in 3 1/3 innings this week. He has struck out 10 and not allowed a walk in seven innings for Criollos.

Ivan De Jesus went 2 for 9 with a double, which was his first extra-base hit in 25 at-bats.

Henry Ramos started the week out strong, hitting safely in his first four games, but went 0 for 8 in the final two games to drag his final line down.

Christian Vazquez, who started the fall in the AFL, appeared in his second game in Puerto Rico, going 1 for 3 with a walk.

Liga Paralela-Boston

Much like last year, the Red Sox are fielding nearly an entire team in the Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional's minor league, the Liga Paralela. The players are all in the lower levels of the minor league system, with many of them still in rookie ball. Alixon Suarez, Oscar Perez, Heiker Meneses, Dreily Guerrero, and Keivin Heras are some of the more notable names on the team.

The team struggled to a 1-4 record this week, and are now 7-17-1 on the season. Andres Garcia, Leonel Escobar, and Heiker Meneses have been the top performers at the plate as each have an on-base percentage around .400. Victor Ramirez has been the top pitcher, with a 2.84 ERA over 19 innings.

Photo Credit: Brock Huntzinger by SoxProspects, LLC and Pedro Ciriaco by William Parmeter

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