Fall/Winter League Roundup: Duran wins LBPRC Final's MVP

This week's roundup covers the week of January 18 through January 24. 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 first week of February.

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Puerto Rico)

The week started off with outfielder and SoxProspects.com fourth-ranked prospect Jarren Duran's team, Caguas, already having clinched their spot in the league final. That left one spot remaining with Jack Lopez, Alan Marrero, and Jeremy Rivera playing with Indios de Mayaguez. On Monday, Rivera was the only one to play, going 3 for 5 with a home run, triple, two runs scored and four RBI as Mayaguez blew out Manati to take a 3-0 lead in the series. Rivera raked again on Tuesday, going 2 for 2 with a double and two runs scored as Mayaguez clinched the series win while Lopez went 0 for 3.

The best-of-seven final started on Thursday with Caguas shutting out Mayaguez with Duran hitting second and going 0 for 3 with a walk and run scored in the 4-0 win. Duran picked it up a bit on Friday with a 2 for 4 day with a double, two runs scored, an RBI, and a walk, with Caguas again winning 7-5. Over the weekend, Duran showed why he is such a highly regarded prospect and also his recent gains in power. On Saturday, he hit a three-run home run and a run-scoring double in yet another win. The series came to a quick end with a 7-6 Caguas win on Sunday. Duran started that game off with a leadoff home run, later walking in the game and scoring two more runs. 

Duran finished the series 5 for 15 with two doubles, two home runs, seven runs scored, six RBI, and three walks for which he was awarded the Final's Most Valuable Player award. It remains a strong possibility that Duran will compete in the Caribbean Series starting on January 31. Jeremy Rivera and Jack Lopez both hit well in the losing effort with Rivera going 6 for 13 with two doubles and Lopez finishing 5 for 13 with a double. Marrero did not appear in a game this week.

Mexican Pacific League 

Joey Meneses's Culiacan team entered the week up 3-1 in the best-of-seven semifinals series with Meneses hitting fourth and playing mostly left field. On Tuesday, Meneses went 0 for 4, but his team clinched the 4-2 series win, securing their place in the league final.

The finals started on Friday against Hermosillo with Meneses doubling and scoring in four at-bats in a loss. The second game took place Saturday with the 28-year-old again going 1 for 4, this time in a winning effort. The series picks back up for Game 3 on Monday night.

Venezuelan Professional Baseball League

Outfielder Cesar Puello is the lone Red Sox prospect remaining, and his Lara squad entered the week with a commanding 3-1 series lead in their semi-final. Puello went 0 for 1 with two walks in their loss on Monday and did not play in another loss on Tuesday, bringing the series to a Game Seven. Puello had his best game of the week, going 2 for 4 with a run, a walk, and a strikeout as Lara defeated Tigres de Aragua 11-2 to advance to the finals. Lara began the finals with three straight losses in games over the weekend against Caribes de Anzoategui.

Colombian Professional Baseball League

Catcher Rivaldo Avila's Monteria team entered the week tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven finals. Avila did not appear in a game and the series went to a Game Seven. Los Caimanes de Barranquilla were crowned champions after a 6-0 win in the final game.

Dominican Professional Baseball League

Aguilas, despite trailing in the series 3-1, won their third consecutive game 7-4 to take the title in the best-of-seven series. No Sox players are on the squad that will represent the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean Series

Australian Baseball League

After a 20-day layoff for undisclosed reasons, Colin Willis returned to action on Friday, seeing action in three games over the weekend. Over those eight at-bats, the outfielder had four hits, scored two runs, walked, and went 1 for 2 on stolen base attempts. The weekend raised his season averages to .304/.348/.429.

Photo Credit: Jarren Duran by Kelly O'Connor

Will Woodward is a Co-Owner and Senior Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @SPWill.

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