Fall/Winter League Roundup: Castillo & Vazquez stay hot

This week's roundup covers play from the period of December 22-28. For the full list of Red Sox prospects participating in off-season action, check out our Fall and Winter Leagues page, which will be updated continuously through the end of the offseason.

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Puerto Rico)

Due to the Christmas holiday, many leagues had shortened weeks, including in Puerto Rico. Rusney Castillo (pictured) appeared in his final game of the winter on Monday, going out on a high note by going 2 for 3 with two doubles, three RBI and a walk. Over 37 at-bats, Castillo's line finished up at .405/.415/.541, and he drew raves from manager Alex Cora.

The busiest participant this week was Christian Vazquez, who saw action in six games and finished 6 for 20. He had his best game of the week on Monday, going 2 for 5 with his first home run of the winter. Henry Ramos saw limited action, going 0 for 3 in his only game. Joseph Monge saw his first action since December 19 and went 1 for 3 with a pair of strikeouts, the hit his first of the winter in 12 at-bats.

Finally, Jemile Weeks made his late debut for Mayaguez on Saturday and went hitless in three at-bats with a walk and a strikeout. The league's final regular season games take place tomorrow.

For reference, it is not uncommon for some major leaguers to report to their winter league teams just before or just during the playoffs, which can run through the end of January and are followed by the Caribbean Series, which features the league champions from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Mexico.

Venezuelan Professional Baseball League

In another holiday shortened week, the only player to see action in the Venezuelan Professional League was Mario Martinez who went 2 for 4 with a double, run and RBI in his only game of the week on Saturday. The league wraps up regular season play after tomorrow's games.

Dominican Baseball League

The playoffs continued in the Dominican Baseball League, but no Red Sox players saw action last week.

Mexican Pacific League

The league's regular season comes to an end today with no Red Sox players presently active.

Australian Baseball League

Jorge Marban appeared in one game for Perth, on Sunday, throwing 1 1/3 shutout innings while allowing a hit and a walk with two strikeouts. In 23 innings thus far this season, Marban, an ABL All-Star, has a 2.35 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 26 strikeouts.

Colombian Professional Baseball League

Right-hander Sergio Gomez has thrown well lately for Cartagena. For the winter, in 15 2/3 innings he has allowed 10 runs, seven earned, for a 4.02 ERA, going 1-1. He has allowed 12 hits and 12 walks while striking out 15. Control has obviously been a problem this winter for Gomez, but his recent outings have been better.

Panama Professional Baseball League

Pablo Urena received four at-bats this week, going hitless with one strikeout. In the young season, he has one hit in his first nine at-bats.

Venezuelan Liga Paralela

Although the Venezuelan development program wrapped up its playoffs on December 17, we wanted to mention Oscar Perez's post-season performance for league runners up La Guaira, who won in the semifinals in a two-game sweep but lost 2-1 in the best-of-three championship. Overall, he appeared in three of the club's five playoff games, throwing 7 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits and three walks while striking out five. He also earned a save in game two of the semifinal.

Photo Credit: Rusney Castillo by Kelly O'Connor.

Will Woodward is a Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @SPWill.

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