Fall/Winter League Roundup: Cottam blasts pair; Winckowski starts fireworks

There was much going on in the Fall and Winter leagues as the Arizona Fall League crossed its halfway point. Top prospects Triston Casas, Jeter Downs, and Connor Seabold appeared, while Kole Cottam (pictured) had a monster effort on Tuesday. 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 week of November 1 through November 8.

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Arizona Fall League

All eight active players in Scottsdale saw significant playing time. Top prospect Triston Casas continues to be one of the toughest outs in the desert. The first baseman was 5 for 13 with five walks against just one strikeout on the week. He also doubled, scored four runs, and drove in four, giving him a .385/.556/.462 line for the week. Kole Cottam's bat exploded on Tuesday, as the backstop homered twice as part of a 4-for-5 effort. Cottam drove in six runs in three games, going 5 for 12 overall. Jeter Downs, the hottest player during the circuit's first week, hit a bit of a rough patch, going 0 for 12 with a walk, run scored, and four strikeouts. Christian Koss went 1 for 3 in both of his two starts.

On the mound, it was Josh Winckowski who made most of the headlines. The right-hander acquired in the Andrew Benintendi deal allowed two runs on four hits in 2 2/3 across two appearances. His last pitch of his second appearance went very high and inside on Pirates prospect Canaan Smith-Njigba, plunking him off the shoulder. The outfielder was not pleased, charging the mound and getting in a shot at Winckowski. Both players were ejected for the incident. (It was a wild weekend for the Smith-Njigba family. Canaan's brother Jaxon set the Ohio State school record for receptions in a game with 15.) Brandon Cellucci continued to impress out of the bullpen, allowing one hit in 2 1/3 scoreless innings across two appearances, striking out two and walking one. Connor Seabold struggled in his start Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits in four innings. AJ Politi also had a tough weeks, giving up six runs on five hits in 1 2/3 frames in his two outings, walking four and striking out four 

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Dominican Professional Baseball League

Five players, all pitchers, saw game action this week in the Dominican. Kutter Crawford was excellent in his lone start, scattering five hits across five scoreless innings, striking out six and walking only one. Jose Adames appeared twice, givng up one hit and walking two in 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Victor Santos, Phillips Valdez, and Joan Martinez pitched once apiece. Santos got the win in relief for Escogido on Wednesday, striking out three and allowing just one hit in two scoreless innings. Valdez was roughed up, giving up two runs on four hits while only retiring one batter, while Martinez surrendered a solo homer in his innings of work. Jeisson Rosario did not appear in game action.

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Venezuelan Professional Baseball League

Pedro Castellanos continues as the starting left fielder for Lara. Appearing in six games, he went 7 for 21 with a double, two runs scored, and two RBI. He had three hits and drove in both runs as part of a 17-hit, 12-0 win on Friday over Magallanes. Oddanier Mosqueda appeared twice for Caribes, allowing two runs on two hits in 2/3 of an innings, walking one, and hitting a batter.

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Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Puerto Rico)

The season got underway Saturday in Puerto Rico, but neither Matthew Lugo nor Juan Montero appeared for the Manati squad.

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Mexican Pacific League

Jorge Rodriguez, currently Boston's only prospect in Mexico, was not active this week.

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