December 21, 2020 at 1:00 PM
Fall/Winter League Roundup: Duran rights the ship; Lugo may join Manati
Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Puerto Rico)
The week started off poorly for Jarren Duran (pictured, right), as he went 1 for 8 with four strikeouts in the first two games, dropping his average to .087. He got a day off on Thursday and came back looking like his old self, finishing the week going 7 for 13 with four RBI, five runs scored, three steals, three walks, a double, and an outfield assist. The three-game surge raised his average up to .250 as he gets back on track after the slow start.
Alan Marrero only appeared in one game but he made it count, going 3 for 4 with two doubles and a run scored. He's hitting .571 in limited action thus far.
Shortstop Matthew Lugo, who is ranked 16th in the system, has yet to appear in Puerto Rico due to a wrist injury he suffered at Fall Instructs. His rehab is almost complete, and he hopes to get cleared to appear in games soon.
Dominican Professional Baseball League
Even with numerous doubleheaders last week, it was a light slate of action for Red Sox prospects in the Dominican. Cesar Puello saw the most consistent action, going 2 for 8 with two walks and two runs scored. Deivy Grullon got one start and went 1 for 5 with a double, run scored, and two strikeouts. On the mound, Raynel Espinal was the only player to make an appearance, tossing 3 2/3 innings over two games, allowing just an unearned run on one hit, walking three and striking out four.
Mexican Pacific League
Batting cleanup and playing third base, Joey Meneses had a tough week for Culiacan. He entered the week hitting .274, but after going 4 for 25 his average fell to .259. He walked twice and struck out three times, and also added two steals. His team is battling for a playoff spot with the regular season ending on December 30.
Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
With a few doubleheaders last week, Jhonny Pereda was able to appear in eight games for Caracas. Impressively, he got at least one hit in each game, going 11 for 29 with four doubles, four walks, and three strikeouts. Oddanier Mosqueda had a solid week, allowing just one hit in 1 2/3 innings over two appearances.
National Professional Baseball League (Nicaragua)
Nixson Munoz started one game, twirling four innings of one-run ball, walking one and striking out four, with a solo home run being the only blemish.
Australian Baseball League
The ABL started up on December 16, and Colin Willis has gone 0 for 3 with two walks and a hit-by-pitch thus far for Melbourne. Melbourne's last two games of the week were called off to allow the team to return home due to potential border closures in the country due to COVID-19.
Photo Credit: Jarren Duran by Kelly O'Connor