October 26, 2015 at 1:00 PM
Fall/Winter League Roundup: Hernandez's hot start continues
This week's roundup covers play from the period of October 19-25. For the full list of Red Sox prospects participating in offseason action, check out our Fall and Winter Leagues page, which will be updated continuously through the end of the offseason.
Arizona Fall League
It was a mixed bag statistically this week in Arizona, with Sam Travis's (pictured) three extra-base hits leading the way. Travis went 4 for 18 in four games, with two doubles, a triple, and a walk. He also struck out six times, and he is currently tied for the league lead with 11 strikeouts in only seven games. Carlos Asuaje went 4 for 11 with a walk, stolen base, and sacrifice fly in his three games, and Tzu-Wei Lin went 1 for 7 in his two starts.
Aaron Wilkerson was roughed up again in his second start for Scottsdale, giving up four runs on seven hits in only 3 2/3 innings as his ERA rose to 7.71. He also walked three and struck out three. Danny Rosenbaum picked up his first win after getting two key outs in relief, and followed that up with a scoreless inning with two strikeouts two days later.
A blown save put a damper on the week for Kyle Martin, but he pitched well, allowing only one hit over three innings with four strikeouts. Unfortunately, the one hit was a game-tying solo home run. Chandler Shepherd also gave up a home run, as he allowed two runs on three hits over 2 1/3 innings.
Dominican Professional Baseball League
Marco Hernandez has been on fire to start the season, batting .435 over the first seven games. In four games this week, he went 6 for 13 with a strikeout and a run scored. Rafael Devers also had a solid showing, going 4 for 9 with a walk and a strikeout. Boston's other top prospect in the league did not fare as well, as Manuel Margot went 0 for 9 with five strikeouts and two sacrifice flies. Free-agent Keury De La Cruz appeared in one game, going 0 for 5 with two strikeouts, and Aneury Tavarez walked in his only plate appearance.
The only pitcher currently seeing game action is Roman Mendez, who allowed one hit and struck out a batter in his only inning of work this week.
Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
The lone offensive player under contract to appear in a game this week was Sandy Leon, who went 3 for 12 with a double and three strikeouts. Free-agents Chris Marrero and Carlos Rivero appeared in almost every game this week, with Marrero going 3 for 15 with two walks, and Rivero going 4 for 16 with a home run and a double.
The Red Sox recently purchased the contract of Rob Wort from Sioux City of the American Association, and he is one of the most trusted relievers for Anzoategui. Wort appeared in four games out of the bullpen this week, throwing one inning in each outing while totaling eight strikeouts and surrendering only one run. Edwin Escobar struggled in his lone start, as he allowed five runs on five hits in only 4 1/3 innings
Three free-agent pitchers who were recently with the Red Sox saw significant action this week, led by William Cuevas who tossed 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball with four strikeouts. Luis Diaz struck out four and allowed one run on five hits over four innings, and Dayan Diaz did not allow a run over 1 1/3 innings.
Venezuelan Liga Paralela:
There have been some dominant pitching performances so far, led by Junior Espinoza who has not allowed a run over seven innings while striking out 10. Ritzi Mendoza and Algenis Martinez are also sporting a 0.00 ERA so far this season, with Mendoza tossing six innings and Martinez throwing 8 1/3. Martinez has been the luckier of the two, with a WHIP of 1.44 due to seven walks.
The strikeout leader among Sox-affiliated players in the development league so far has been Ramses Rosario, who has notched 17 strikeouts against only two walks over 13 innings of two-run ball while pitching for Margarita's development team. For players on the Boston entry to the league, Eduard Bazardo is behind him with 12 strikeouts and four walks in his 14 innings, and Angel Padron has allowed two runs over his first 9 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out four.
The best hitter by far has been Raiwinson Lameda, who is hitting .429/.475/.732 with two home runs in 56 at-bats. He is ties for the lead in home runs with Alixon Suarez, who is hitting .271/.352/.500 while splitting his time between catcher and first base. The highest-ranked player in the league is Victor Acosta, who is currently ranked 42nd in the SoxProspects.com rankings. Acosta has only gotten 16 at-bats, but he has made them count, batting .313/.500/.438.
Photo Credit: Sam Travis by Kelly O'Connor