October 27, 2014 at 12:00 PM
Fall/Winter League Roundup: Marrero dominates in AFL
This week's roundup covers play from the period of October 20-26. For the full list of Red Sox prospects participating in off-season action, check out our Fall & Winter Leagues page, which will be updated continuously through January.
Arizona Fall League
He appeared in only three games this week, but Deven Marrero (pictured) lit the league on fire. The shortstop was 5 for 8 with four doubles an three walks, good for a slash line of .625/.727/1.125. Overall, Marrero is hitting .323/.475/.452.
Fellow infielder Sean Coyle had a tough week, going 1 for 16 with eight strikeouts. Rusney Castillo appeared in only one game during the week, going 0 for 2 with a strikeout on Monday.
On the mound, Keith Couch was hit hard in both of his starts, allowing nine runs on 18 hits in eight innings pitched. Robby Scott had a pair of scoreless appearances, striking out three in 2 1/3. Aaron Kurcz tossed just one inning, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk, while Madison Younginer surrendered a pair of runs in 2 1/3 innings in his two outings.
Dominican Winter League
A pair of relievers made their winter debuts. Miguel Celestino allowed a pair of hits in a scoreless inning on Tuesday out of the bullpen, and Heri Quevedo tossed a scoreless frame the following day. Jose Valdez made a pair of appearances, allowing a run on two hits in two innings.
Of the five position players in the Red Sox system in the circuit, only Corey Brown got significant playing time. The veteran outfielder was 1 for 15 with a double and a walk. Jose Vinicio saw action in two games as a substitute, going 0 for 2 with a walk. Manuel Margot, Keury De La Cruz, and Aneury Tavarez all did not see game action this week.
Venezuelan Winter League
Carlos Rivero continues to be one of the lone bright spots for the last place Cardenales de Lara. Rivero launched a three-run homer as part of a 2 for 3 effort in Wednesday's loss, and has a .308/.390/.615 line on the season. Heiker Meneses was 3 for 13 on the week, adding a solo home run on Sunday. Mario Martinez appeared in five games, going 3 for 15. Wilfredo Boscan was hit hard in his lone start, giving up a pair of home runs and allowing five runs on seven hits overall in 4 2/3 innings.
Venezuelan Liga Paralela
Boston's affiliate in the Venezuelan Development Program had a tough week, going just 1-4. Yankory Pimentel allowed just one run in six innings of work across two appearances, striking out four and walking one. Mario Alcantara had a strong start on Friday, allowing a run on just two hits in five innings, striking out three without issuing a walk. Samir El Halaby picked up the team's lone win in a relief role, allowing one run in three innings.
Carlos Tovar continued to impress, going 9 for 19 with a homer and four driven in. Tovar now has a .341/.412/.545 in 44 at-bats. Victor Acosta saw his first game action and had a big week, going 8 for 23 with a home run.
Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Puerto Rico)
Play is scheduled to begin on Thursday. Christian Vazquez, Ivan DeJesus, and Joseph Monge will play for the Senadores de San Juan. It is a return to the league for the San Juan club after a several-year absence. Carlos Coste will suit up for Santurce, and Henry Ramos will appear for Caguas. Ramos had played in previous seasons for los Leones de Ponce, but that team will not participate this season because of financial difficulties. In the draft to divest the Ponce roster, Ramos was taken in the first round. Rusney Castillo is also planning to play in Puerto Rico after the Arizona Fall League schedule concludes in mid-November.
Australian Baseball League
The Australian League is also set to kick off on Thursday. Stefan Welch is on the Adelaide roster, and Daniel McGrath will pitch for Melbourne.
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Before concluding the roundup, the baseball world received sad news on Sunday night of the death of Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras and his girlfriend Edilia Arvelo in an auto accident in Puerto Plata, DR. Taveras was scheduled to join Miguel Celestino and Keury De La Cruz on the Águilas Cibaeñas club. He was 22. The SoxProspects staff would like to extend condolences to the friends and family of Taveras and Arvelo.
Photo credit: Deven Marrero by Kelly O'Connor