Fall/Winter League Roundup: Lin leads Taiwan to Asian Baseball Championship

We continue our weekly roundups of the Fall and Winter Leagues, highlighting performances from players in the Red Sox organization. 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 of October 14 to October 20. 

Asian Baseball Championship

After not seeing any playing time during the play-in round of the semi-annual Asian Baseball Championship, Tzu-Wei Lin (pictured) has been a key cog helping host Taiwan to its first title in 18 years. Appearing in three of the first five games of the tournament's "Super Round," Lin got starts at second base, shortstop, and in left field, going 6 for 11 with a double, homer, three walks, and a pair of stolen bases. That .545/.643/.909 line does not include Taiwan's 5-4 victory in Monday's championship game. Various sources, including President Tsai Ing-wen, have tweeted out congratulations, but a box score was not available as of midday. 

Arizona Fall League

A strong start by Tanner Houck highlighted the efforts in the desert, as the 2019 AFL season gets into its homestretch. Houck got the starting nod on Tuesday, allowing one run on three hits in five innings, striking out five, walking one, and getting saddled with the tough-luck loss. Houck held the five lefties in Surprise's lineup a 2-for-10 effort, striking out three. The lone walk issued by the 2017 first-round pick was to a right-hander. Bryan Mata got into a pair of games with differing results. The 20-year-old righty threw a scoreless inning on Monday, striking out a pair, but walked three and allowed two runs on two hits in his inning of work Friday. Jhonathan Diaz also pitched twice, giving up a run on three hits in 2 2/3, striking out three and walking one. It was a tough week for Yoan Aybar, who gave up five runs on four hits in two innings across his two plate appearances. He struck out four and walked only one, but hit three batters.

At the plate, Jarren Duran appeared in all six of Peoria's games. He has tapered off some after a torrid start, going just 4 for 24 with a double and triple on the week. CJ Chatham returned Tuesday after missing eight days. In three games, he went 3 for 16 with a double and three RBI. All three hits for the week by Brett Netzer came as part of Friday's 3-for-4 effort in which he doubled and drove in a run. He was 0 for 9 with a pair of walks in his other three starts. Marcus Wilson did not appear in any games this week. He has played only twice in October.

Photo Credit: Tzu-Wei Lin by Kelly O'Connor

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