Fall/Winter League Roundup: Travis Shaw’s big week has Surprise close to clinching

Right as the Roberto Clemente League is getting into full gear, the Arizona Fall League is hitting the home stretch of its regular season. With four games to go — one each Monday through Thursday — the Surprise Saguaros could clinch the division as soon as Tuesday afternoon. This week’s roundup covers Nov. 4-10.

Arizona Fall League:

A 3-3 week for the Saguaros left the team with a 2.5-game lead over the Glendale Desert Dogs, its magic number in the AFL West down to three.

Travis Shaw put together a huge week, going 7 for 13 with five runs scored and two driven in. He walked five times — at least once in each of his four games — while scoring as many runs. His fall slash line is up to .352/.446/.722.

Mookie Betts also had a strong week, particularly with respect to his previous one. He went 4 for 11 (double, homer, three walks) with four runs scored in three games. Garin Cecchini had a similar performance — 3 for 9, two runs — and drew four walks to bump his on-base percentage to .411.

Derrik Gibson (2 for 14, walk) got into four games.

On the mound, righty Keith Couch allowed one run in three innings. He walked as many as he struck out (three) and gave up two hits. Fellow righty Noe Ramirez yielded two runs in 3 2/3 frames, but he walked one and struck out four.

Southpaw starter Mickey Pena allowed three unearned runs in his lone start, which lasted four innings. He fanned five and walked two while giving up just two hits.

Venezuelan Winter League:

Righty Ellis Jimenez pitched in one game, his first in about two weeks. He gave up two runs in two innings.

Mexican Pacific League:

Right-hander Terry Doyle was hit around for nine runs (seven earned) in 11 innings between two starts, though he did strike out an average of more than a batter per inning.

Mark Hamilton highlighted his 4-for-14 effort with a pair of doubles and four RBI Sunday. He also drew three walks in one game Friday.

Dominican Winter League:

Right-hander Chris Martin didn’t mess around in his only inning of he week. He struck out a batter while recording a save Nov. 4.

Righty Allen Webster tossed his third and longest outing of the offseason, but it was still only 4 1/3 innings. He gave up three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four.

At the plate, Bryce Brentz collected one hit in 11 tries, while Dan Butler had one in six.

Puerto Rican (Roberto Clemente) Baseball League:

In the first full week of action, Henry Ramos went 4 for 13 with a double and three runs scored while Christian Vazquez was 2 for 13. He double once and walked twice.

Venezuelan Liga Paralela:

Jose Vinicio has maintained one of the top averages among regulars (.375). Pablo Urena (.273) has blasted three home runs, one fewer than the league leaders. Mario Martinez, a free agent who spent the regular season with Greenville, is off to a torrid start in his first eight games: .467/.484/.767.

Victor Ramirez has posted a 1.89 ERA in four starts (19 innings).

Photo credit: Travis Shaw by Kelly O’Connor.

Tim Healey is a staff writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @timbhealey.

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