Fall/Winter Roundup: Brannon, Ferguson, Kirwin named Fall Stars; LBPRC kicks off
The Winter Leagues continue to ramp up in the Caribbean, with four Red Sox players suiting up as the Roberto Clemente League in Puerto Rico got started this week. The Arizona Fall League reached its All-Star Break, with a trio of Sox participating. This week's update covers the period from November 4 through 10. Please also visit our SoxProspects.com Fall/Winter page, updated daily.
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Arizona Fall League
Three members of Boston's Mesa Solar Sox contingent were named to the American League for the annual Fall Stars game: pitcher Danny Kirwin, catcher Brooks Brannon, and utilityman Max Ferguson (pictured). All three got into the action in Saturday's contest. Ferguson got the start at shortstop, going 0 for 1 with a walk and a run scored. Brannon entered as a pinch hitter for the DH position, going 0 for 2. Kirwin pitched the sixth inning, surrendering a game-tying run on two hits. The American League emerged victorious on a ninth-inning home run by Tigers' catcher Thayron Liranzo.
In regular game action, Ferguson was 2 for 6 with four walks and three runs scored in his two appearances. Caden Rose was just 2 for 11 on the week, but one of the hits was a grand slam in Mesa's loss on Tuesday. He finished the week with six RBI, two walks, and a steal. Brannon did not appear in game action outside of the All-Star festivities. On the mound, Zach Fogell appeared twice, allowing one run on one hit in two innings, striking out two against one walk. Tyler Uberstine and Cooper Adams both fired a scoreless inning on Thursday. The Fall Star Break ran through Sunday, with AFL action resuming Monday.
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Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League (Puerto Rico)
The Puerto Rican Winter League kicked off its season on Thursday, with four players in the Red Sox organization appearing in games this week. Catcher Mickey Gasper and right-hander Brian Van Belle are both with Caguas. Gaspar was 1 for 3 with a walk, while Van Belle went two scoreless innings. Fellow right-hander Eduardo Rivera appeared with Santurce, striking out one in one scoreless inning. Juan Montero was 0 for 1 with Ponce.
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Dominican Winter League (LIDOM)
Enmanuel Valdez continues to get regular playing time as the second baseman for Estrellas. He is hitting .177/.236/.235 through 51 at-bats. Bryan Gonzalez has also joined first-place Escogido, where he was 1 for 4 on the week.
Photo Credit: Max Ferguson by Kelly O'Connor