January 10, 2022 at 12:00 PM
Fall/Winter League Roundup: Vazquez & Shugart make playoffs
It is a bit of a quiet week in the Winter Leagues for Red Sox prospects with all the leagues moving from the regular season to their playoffs with the lone exception of the Panamá Professional Baseball League whose regular season ends on Tuesday. The Dominican Professional Baseball League, Mexican Pacific League, and Venezuelan Professional Baseball League continued their playoffs this week, though no Red Sox prospects appeared. This week's roundup covers the week of January 3 through January 9.
On Monday, the league wrapped up its regular season. Four teams with the playoffs with two Red Sox making it to the postseason - righty Chase Shugart (pictured, right) for Indios de Mayaguez and first baseman & catcher Christian Vazquez for Sanurce Crabbers. Shortstop Matthew Lugo and catcher Juan Montero were both a part of the playoff-bound Crollos De Caguas at points this season but neither has played in quite a while.
Shugart saw action in Mayaguez's second game of the playoffs on Sunday, pitching a scoreless seventh inning walking one, and striking out two. It continued an impressive winter for the 25-year-old who now has a 2.84 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and nine strikeouts over 6 and 1/3 innings. Vazquez played in both games for Sancurce, going 3 for 11 with a run, a walk, and a strikeout. All three hits were singles and he saw time at both catcher and first base. The playoffs continue Tuesday with the second game of Mayaguez vs Carolina.
Panama Professional Baseball League
The league had its final week of the regular season before playoff games begin on Tuesday. Eudardo Vaughn participated in two recorded games this week for Aguilas, getting a start and pinch-hitting, and went 1 for 4 on the week with a strikeout. Jonathan Arauz did not play from what we have seen, though statistics from Panama are usually very slow to come in and this week was no different.
Photo Credit: Chase Shugart by Kelly O'Connor.
Will Woodward is a Co-Owner and Senior Staff Writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @SPWill.