Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Fall League came to an end on Saturday, and the Surprise Saguaros are the champions, adding more titles to the members of the Boston Red Sox.
Noe Ramirez capped off his impressive fall with a one-inning, scoreless hold that helped continue to rebuild his status as a real Red Sox prospect. Ramirez finished the Fall League with an ERA of just 1.93 over 14 innings and a WHIP of 0.86. With this performance, he has a real shot to make the big league roster at some point in the 2014 season as a key arm in the bullpen.
Garin Cecchini batted third for the Saguaros in Saturday’s championship game, and continued his sub-par Fall League season with an 0-for-3. Cecchini hit just .277 and his only home run came in the Fall Stars game. Cecchini was arguably the Red Sox’ best offensive player in the minor leagues this season and appeared to tire in the Fall season, but the struggle could prove to be a positive.
Cecchini went tearing through the minor leagues in 2013, ending up in AA Portland, but a slow fall could temper expectations leading into the 2014 season. Cecchini has a fantastic approach at the bat, but he still has to improve his defense at third base, and his power currently looks to be more doubles power than home run power. Slowing his march to the bigs by making him a September call-up at the earliest could be a benefit.
Mookie Betts drove in one of the only two runs scored in the championship game Saturday. His incredible second half of the minor league season also hit a wall this Fall as he hit just .271 in Arizona, but the buzz is still incredibly high with his improvements this season. The Fall League was a large jump in competition for the slight-framed second baseman who began 2013 in low-A Greenville.
He may project as a fringe starter or above-average utility infielder, but his attitude on the field is infectious and he made his name known in the title game.
You can follow Shaun Kernahan on twitter @shaunkernahan, add him to your network on Google, and like Shaun on Facebook.
