Fall/Winter League Roundup: Chavis helps Peoria to AFL Title

This continues our series of weekly roundups of the Fall/Winter Leagues. Coverage will continue every Monday into January. 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 January. This week's roundup covers the period from November 13 - November 19.

Arizona Fall League

The breakout 2017 for Michael Chavis ended on a high note. The 2013 first-round pick got the start at first base and went 2 for 5 with a triple as Peoria took the Arizona Fall League championship in Saturday's final. Chavis played a key role in the final push. In the November 14th contest, Chavis raced to an inside-the-park homer when a pair of outfielders collided. He followed that up with a more traditional eighth-inning round tripper that took the defense out of equation. Chad De La Guerra went 3 for 10 with a pair of RBI in the final week, and Josh Tobias went 1 for 4 in a start last Monday. Neither De La Guerra or Tobias appeared in the championship.

Henry Owens was a beneficiary of Tuesday's Chavis outburst, getting a no decision in a start where he allowed five runs on six hits in three innings, walking two and striking out one. Despite the unsightly line score, Owens showed progress, throwing 40 of 68 pitches for strikes. Ty Buttrey picked up his first save of the fall on Monday, pitching a perfect ninth. Kevin McAvoy struck out two and allowed one run in two innings Thursday, and Bobby Poyner tossed 1 2/3 scoreless frames on Tuesday.

Dominican Baseball League

Roenis Elias made his 2017 winter league debut, throwing four hitless innings of relief, striking out five against one walk on Saturday for Aguilas. Minor league free agent Elih Villanueva turned in a strong start, striking out three and allowing just one hit in five scoreless innings. Chris Madera was the only position player who saw game action, appearing as a pinch hitter and posting an RBI single in his only plate appearance.

Venezuelan Professional Baseball League

A pair of minor league free agents continued their strong play in Venezuela. Henry Urrutia is now riding a nine-game hitting streak. As part of a 9-for-19 week, he powered his third and fourth homers of the fall and drove in 11 runs in five games. Heiker Meneses appeared in six games for La Guaira, going 8 for 18 with a triple and three runs scored. Deiner Lopez was 2 for 11, and Juan Hernandez appeared in two games, scoring one run as a pinch runner. On the mound, Dedgar Jimenez allowed three runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3, striking out four without issuing a walk.

Mexican Pacific League

Both Red Sox players in Mexico have had solid campaigns this fall, and both have found their way onto the team's 40-man roster. Bryce Brentz has seven homers for Hermosillo but appeared in only one game this week, going 0 for 2. Teammate Chandler Shepherd continues to get solid results in his new starting role. Shepherd started Saturday's contest, allowed two runs on six hits in five innings, striking out a pair. In 33 innings over seven starts, he has struck out 31, walked nine, and posted a solid 4.09 ERA.

Australian Baseball League

The 2017 winter (summer) season kicked off down under on Thursday. Left-hander Daniel McGrath returns to the Melbourne Aces, the only Red Sox player in the circuit. McGrath did not appear in any game action this week.

Venezuelan Developmental Program

Pedro Castellanos has continued his strong 2017 season into the fall. He was 7 for 17 this week, highlighted by Monday's doubleheader when he was 5 for 6 with two doubles and three RBI. Yorvin Pantoja turned in the strongest start of the week, striking out eight in five innings while allowing only one run Monday. He allowed only two hits and did not issue a walk.

Photo Credit: Michael Chavis by Kelly O'Connor

Tweet