November 5, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Fall/Winter League Roundup: October 29-November 4
A number of prospects saw limited action this week with some faring quite well. In one of the most anticipated events of the Arizona Fall League, the annual Rising Stars game took place on Sunday. For full statistics, make sure to follow our Fall/Winter League page, which is updated daily.
Arizona Fall League
Christian Vazquez appeared in only two games this week, going 2 for 7 with an RBI and two walks. Vazquez has had a very good fall thus far, hitting .290/.436/.484 with a home run, three doubles and three RBI in nine games, although his nine hits have come in three of those games.
Starting for Surprise in right field for the majority of their recent contests, Bryce Brentz collected a hit in each of his three games this week. The 23-year-old outfielder went 4 for 10 with a double, two walks and an RBI. He is still striking out with a high frequency (14 in 12 games) and has just three extra base hits in 46 at-bats. In Sunday's Rising Stars contest, Brentz served as the Western Division's designated hitter and went 0 for 3 with a walk.
Third baseman Michael Almanzar was the busiest Boston participant this week, appearing in four contests, going 3 for 16 with a double. Almanzar, who is coming off of a bounce-back season with Salem, has struggled thus far for Surprise, hitting just .218/.306/.255 with just two extra base hits and four RBI. In Sunday's Rising Stars contest, Almanzar entered the game as a replacement at third base and struck out in both at-bats.
Brock Huntzinger continued to pitch nicely out of the bullpen after making the conversion to a reliever this season with Portland, tossing a scoreless inning in both Monday and Thursday's contests.
Ryan Pressly continued his up-and-down performance thus far, appearing in Tuesday's game against Salt River, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits in an inning of relief. Pressly has been displaying nice control this far, striking out ten while walking just one.
Venezuelan Winter League
Yeiper Castillo remained impressive in his two outings this week, tossing 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, walking two and striking out two. He picked up the save in Saturday's victory over Magallanes.
J.C. Linares went just 2 for 16 in four contests this week as his struggles continued. Linares is now hitting just .194/.265/.290 with a home run and an RBI in nine games.
Ronald Bermudez entered Saturday's contest against Margarita, scoring the game's tying run in a game that Caracas won 6-5. In Sunday's game against Margarita, Bermudez earned the start, but went just 1 for 4.
Mexican Winter League
Jeremy Hazelbaker's stint with Obregon looks to be over as he has returned to the United States.
Dominican Winter League
Josh Fields had one good outing and one poor outing this week. On Thursday against Licey, Fields took the loss as he allowed a run on two hits and a walk in just two-thirds of an inning. However the 27-year-old right-hander bounced back on Sunday, hurling 1 1/3 innings, striking out two.
Mauro Gomez was very busy this week as he appeared in seven games. The 28-year-old first baseman has struggled mightily thus far for Escogido, hitting just .132/.281/.340. Gomez did collect two extra base hits this week, roping a triple in Wednesday's contest against Aguilas and hitting his first home run of the fall on Friday against Gigantes.
Stolmy Pimentel made two starts this week after initially being used in relief by Estrellas his first two outings. On Monday against Gigantes, Pimentel allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk in four innings of work. Looking to have better results against Gigantes on Sunday, Pimentel took the loss as he allowed four runs on four hits and two walks in three innings.
Mauro Gomez was very busy this week as he appeared in seven games. The 28-year-old first baseman has struggled mightily thus far for Escogido, hitting just .132/.281/.340. Gomez did collect two extra base hits this week, roping a triple in Wednesday's contest against Aguilas and hitting his first home run of the fall on Friday against Gigantes.
Stolmy Pimentel made two starts this week after initially being used in relief by Estrellas his first two outings. On Monday against Gigantes, Pimentel allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and a walk in four innings of work. Looking to have better results against Gigantes on Sunday, Pimentel took the loss as he allowed four runs on four hits and two walks in three innings.
Dan Butler had a nice week in limited action, capped by a 3 for 4 performance against Gigantes on Wednesday in which he hit a double and a home run. In three games this week, Butler was 4 for 10 with two RBI.
Tony Pena remained unscored upon this offseason as he pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief across three outings this week. Pena picked up the victory in Monday's contest against Escogido as he hurled 2 innings of flawless relief.
For anyone wondering why Steven Wright has not pitched for Escogido since a strong six-inning start October 20, the knuckleballer flew back to the States last week just in time for the birth of his daughter, Ella. Congrats to the Wright family.
Tony Pena remained unscored upon this offseason as he pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief across three outings this week. Pena picked up the victory in Monday's contest against Escogido as he hurled 2 innings of flawless relief.
For anyone wondering why Steven Wright has not pitched for Escogido since a strong six-inning start October 20, the knuckleballer flew back to the States last week just in time for the birth of his daughter, Ella. Congrats to the Wright family.
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.
Suarez was 1 for 5 with a grand slam in Monday's loss to Navegantes. The 18-year-old catcher is hitting .231/.394/.385 with a home run and seven RBI in seven games thus through November 2.
Robert Del Rosario had a monster game for Boston on Wednesday against Caracas, going 3 for 5 with five RBI.
Heiker Meneses has been a bright spot for a team that is 4-9 thus far, hitting .375/.556/.458 with two doubles and three RBI.
Australian Baseball League
The Australian Baseball League opened play this week, but neither Red Sox farmhand who will compete in the circuit saw action. Boss Moanaroa did play in an exhibition for Team New Zealand against the Syndey Blue Sox, for whom he will suit up once the World Baseball Classic Qualifier ends later this month, with the Blue Sox taking a 10-4 win. A box score was not available as of press time. Meanwhile, Daniel McGrath's Melbourne Aces will not open play until this coming Friday.
Robert Del Rosario had a monster game for Boston on Wednesday against Caracas, going 3 for 5 with five RBI.
Heiker Meneses has been a bright spot for a team that is 4-9 thus far, hitting .375/.556/.458 with two doubles and three RBI.
Australian Baseball League
The Australian Baseball League opened play this week, but neither Red Sox farmhand who will compete in the circuit saw action. Boss Moanaroa did play in an exhibition for Team New Zealand against the Syndey Blue Sox, for whom he will suit up once the World Baseball Classic Qualifier ends later this month, with the Blue Sox taking a 10-4 win. A box score was not available as of press time. Meanwhile, Daniel McGrath's Melbourne Aces will not open play until this coming Friday.
Photo Credit: Chris Martin & Marco Duarte by Kelly O'Connor