January 16, 2017 at 6:48 PM
Fall/Winter League Roundup: Castillo, Vazquez meet in PR finals
Here is a recap of the past week's action in Fall and Winter leagues. For the full list of Red Sox prospects participating in these leagues, check out our Fall & Winter Leagues page, which will be updated continuously through the offseason. This week's roundup covers the period of January 9 - January 15.
Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League
Christian Vazquez and Santurce are facing off against Rusney Castillo and Caguas in the league's championship finals after both teams advanced earlier in the week, with the series currently tied at one. During the past week, Castillo went 3 for 14 with a walk and three runs scored, including a 1-for-7 showing so far in the finals. Vazquez had another productive week by going 3 for 8 with a triple, a walk, and two RBI. His two-run triple in game two of the finals helped Santurce to a 6-3 victory. Vazquez was the DH in two of his three games this past week, catching the middle contest.
Dominican Baseball League
Hanley Ramirez and Fernando Abad were the only Red Sox players to see action this past week. Abad and Aguilas are still leading the way in the round-robin tournament with a 12-4 record. Abad pitched in just one game this past week and did not allow a run while striking out two in one inning of work. Ramirez started all six games this past week for Licey but struggled with a 3-for-23 performance. He did, however, launch a solo home run and take three walks.
Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
Sandy Leon appeared just once this past week for Aragua, who lost a one-game playoff to advance from the first-round of the playoffs to the semifinals. He was 0 for 3. Heiker Meneses got three starts at second base for La Guaira, going 2 for 11 as the Tiburones lost to Anzoategui in the first round in seven games, beat Aragua in the one-game playoff, and began a semifinal series with Lara.
Australian Baseball League
Daniel McGrath made his winter league debut for Melbourne on January 8, with the ABL at about the three-quarter mark of its season. He has made two short starts as he ramps up from his offseason, first throwing two hitless, scoreless innings in his debut last Sunday (opposite ex-Red Sox minor leaguer Justin Erasmus), walking three with no strikeouts, then allowing two runs on three hits and a walk over three innings, striking out two in his second start.
Photo Credit: Christian Vazquez by Kelly O'Connor