Fall/Winter League Roundup: Kavadas, Yorke, and Scott homer in Arizona

With the league in Puerto Rico starting this past weekend, more players are starting to see playing time. It was a full week in Arizona that included a Home Run Derby and All-Star game, while games continued in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Thad Ward returned from injury, while Tristin Casas is close to returning.

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Arizona Fall League 

Boston's contingent in the AFL put their best foot forward in the penultimate week of the season. Niko Kavadas (pictured) hit his first two home runs while going 3 for 10 with a double, walk, and five strikeouts. Nick Yorke returned to action after missing a few games with wrist discomfort. He went 6 for 15 with a home run, a double, a steal, and three RBI. Stephen Scott went 1 for 7 but did hit another home run and walked twice while driving in three runs. Wilyer Abreu saw limited action, going 0 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout. 

Both Yorke and Scott appeared in the Fall Stars Game on Sunday for the American League squad. Scott got the start at catcher, going 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored. Yorke came in off the bench and went 0 for 2.

The big story of the week on the mound was the return of Thad Ward. Ward struck out two over two hitless innings in his first game since October 10 due to an oblique injury. In two appearances, Ryan Zeferjahn struck out seven over 3 1/3 innings. He allowed one run and walked three. Both Aaron Perry and Jacob Webb threw a scoreless inning with Webb earning his third save. 

Dominican Professional Baseball League 

The slate was a bit light this week with Triston Casas still nursing a knee sprain and Chase Shugart being released by las Estrellas to make room for Luis Campusano. Franklin German got the start on Friday, tossing two scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and struck out two. Victor Santos also served as an opener this week, starting the game with a shutout inning on Saturday. On Wednesday he struck out three but also walked two in a traditional relief appearance. Enmanuel Valdez got two at-bats this week as a pinch hitter, going 0 for 2. 

Venezuelan Professional Baseball League

Darwinzon Hernández made his debut this week, striking out four over two shutout innings while walking one. Pedro Castellanos was the only position player to see game action, going 5 for 14 with 3 RBI. Oddanier Mosqueda pitched a scoreless inning in his first appearance but then gave up three runs on three hits without recording an out on Friday. 

Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Puerto Rico)

The season began on Friday, with seven Red Sox prospects set to appear in the league. Ceddanne Rafaela will join Caguas on Wednesday. He has been working out with Team Netherlands in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.

Matthew Lugo was hit by pitches in both of his plate appearances on Friday but returned to the lineup on Sunday while going 0 for 3. Christian Koss is 2 for 8 with three strikeouts over his first two games, while Jeter Downs has yet to appear in a game. Juan Montero came in as a defensive replacement but did not record an at-bat, while Nate Tellier allowed two runs (one earned) in his inning of relief. 

Photo Credit: Niko Kavadas by Kelly O'Connor

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