October 28, 2013 at 12:00 PM
Fall/Winter League Roundup: Cecchini, Saguaros lead AFL West
The Fall/Winter leagues aren’t quite in full swing, with
Puerto Rica, Australia and Colombia set to get underway early next month, but
there’s been no shortage of notable performances from the Red Sox farm system.
This week’s roundup covers Oct. 21-27.
Arizona Fall League:
It was another successful week for the Surprise Saguaros,
who again went 4-2 and sit atop the AFL West.
The Sox infielders with Surprise contributed to that success
to varying degrees. Second baseman Mookie Betts went 2-for-13 with a double and
two walks, but finished his week on a 0 for 9 skid. Third baseman Garin
Cecchini put together a 5-for-18 effort with zero extra-base hits. First
baseman Travis Shaw had more strikeouts (four) than hits (three, two doubles)
in his 13 at-bats, while Derrik Gibson went 0 for 5. He drew three walks but is
still looking for his first AFL hit.
On the mound, righty Noe Ramirez struck out one and recorded
a save in his only inning of work, and right-hander Keith Crouch contributed
two scoreless innings of relief. Righty Pete Ruiz allowed one run on one hit
and two walks in 2 1/3 frames. Five of his seven outs were via strikeout.
Miguel Pena, the only southpaw and only starter from the Sox
system, was hit around for seven runs (six earned) in eight innings in his two
starts.
Venezuelan Winter League:
No Sox prospects saw action this week.
Mexican Pacific League:
Righty Terry Doyle yielded three runs on nine hits and two
walks in 3 2/3 innings, his only start of the week. He also struck out three.
Mark Hamilton (8 for 25) collected at least one hit in each
of his six games, giving him a base knock in 10 straight. He drove in two runs,
walked twice and fanned thrice.
Outfielder Jesus Loya had one hit in four at-bats, but he
made it count. He launched a grand slam Tuesday.
Dominican Winter League:
Right-hander Chris Martin pitched 2 1/3 perfect innings,
striking out three in the process. He also picked up a pair of saves. Lefty
Rafael Perez allowed two hits in three innings, fanning one.
Righty Allen Webster earned a no-decision in his debut. He
scattered four hits and one walk to allow one run in four innings.
At the plate, Bryce Brentz laid claim to the biggest week
from a Sox prospect. He had just three hits — including a homer and a double — in 18 at-bats,
but drove in six runs and walked four times.
Second baseman Jonathan Diaz drew fives walks to supplement
his four hits (two doubles) in 13 at-bats. His teammate, J.C. Linares, homered
to highlight a 4-for-15 week.
Venezuelan Liga Paralela:
Among the many Sox players in Venezuela, Leonel Escobar is
hitting .429 (6 for 14), with Jose Vinicio on his tail at .364 (8 for 22). Heiker
Meneses is 2 for 3 with two RBI and two walks.
Carlos Garcia leads the league with 13 innings, in which he
has allowed no earned runs on 11 hits and three walks. He has struck out seven.
Oscar Perez (7 2/3 innings) has also yet to allow an earned
run, while Keivin Heras (one start) and Jonathan Aro (two relief appearances)
have each tossed four innings without an earned run.
Photo credit: Garin Cecchini by Kelly O'Connor.