October 21, 2024 at 12:00 PM
Fall/Winter Roundup: Brannon heats up in Arizona; Valdez joins Estrellas
While the 2024 Arizona Fall League season rolls on, winter ball has just started back up in the Caribbean. With eight players suiting up for the Mesa Solar Sox, the Red Sox are well-represented out west. In the Dominican Republic, one member of Boston's 40-man roster with past winter ball experience is playing for Estrellas Orientales. This update covers all the game action from October 14-20.
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Arizona Fall League
The Mesa Solar Sox went 2-3 this past week and are now 6-5 overall. Brooks Brannon (pictured) appeared in three games, catching once and slotting in as the DH twice. The right-handed hitting 20-year-old went 7 for 12 with one home run, two RBIs, four runs scored, two walks, and one strikeout. He threw out one of four possible base stealers last Thursday. Max Ferguson also got into three games, making two starts at shortstop and one in right field. The left-handed hitting 25-year-old went 1 for 8 with one double, one RBI, three runs scored, five walks, and three strikeouts. Caden Rose appeared in four games and played all three outfield spots. The right-handed hitting 23-year-old went 2 for 11 with one double, four RBIs, one stolen base, two walks, and four strikeouts.
On the mound, Danny Kirwin was the lone member of Boston's pitching contingent to make a start. The 24-year-old right-hander got the nod against Peoria last Wednesday. He allowed one earned run on three hits, one walk, and two strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings. Fellow righty Cooper Adams took over in relief of Kirwin and surrendered four runs (three earned) on four hits, one walk, one hit batsman, and one strikeout over 2 1/3 innings. Conor Steinbaugh was used out of the 'pen against Scottsdale last Tuesday. He yielded just one hit and one walk while striking out four across two scoreless frames. Zach Fogell and Tyler Uberstine combined for two scoreless innings in Friday's loss to Glendale.
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Dominican Winter League (LIDOM)
The 2024-2025 Dominican Winter League season began last Wednesday. In his first four games with Estrellas Orientales, Enmanuel Valdez has gone 2 for 15 with one run scored, one stolen base, two walks, and one strikeout. The 25-year-old has split his playing time between second and third base thus far.
Photo Credit: Brooks Brannon by Kelly O'Connor