We are officially through the first week of the Dominican Winer League (LIDOM). Unfortunately, several games were postponed recently due to COVID-19, but that did not stop us from getting to watch some exciting young players engage in healthy competition. Today, let’s recap the first week by analyzing the best and worst performances from prospects and other noteworthy players.
Aguilas Cibaenas
Best:
Rangel Ravelo (STL) is one of several corner players for the Cardinals, and he is making his case for a roster spot. He currently has a .400 on-base percentage, buoyed by five walks in 25 plate appearances.
Victor Robles (WSH) is primarily known for his defense, but he currently has an .889 OPS, and after hitting just one home run in 2020, he has already gone deep in the winter.
Ramon Rosso (PHI) could play a role in the Phillies’ middling bullpen next season, so his five strikeouts in five no-hit innings has to be encouraging.
Worst:
Marcus Diplan (DET) struggled with command in the league’s opening game, and has walked six batters in 3.2 innings. That certainly is not ideal.
Veterans Juan Lagares and Melky Cabrera have a combined 11 hits in 51 at bats. Considering that neither have drawn a walk, they hope to get out of this slump soon.
Tigres del Licey
Best:
Thanks to two home runs and two doubles, Anderson Tejeda (TEX) has a 1.061 OPS and .727 slugging percentage in three games. This is welcome news for Rangers fans, as he will battle it out with Elvis Andrus for the starting shortstop spot next year.
Albert Abreu (NYY) has lost some of his prospect stardom, but he is off to a nice start with five strikeouts in 3.2 innings.
We talked about how Ramon Rosso may play a role for the Phillies last season, but how about Enyel De Los Santos? In his lone inning of work, he struck out the side!
Considering how poor the Angels bullpen is, seeing Hansel Robles work two scoreless innings with three strikeouts must be a pleasant sight.
Dany Jimenez (TOR) couldn’t stick on the Giants roster after being selected by them in the Rule 5 draft, but he could still play a role for the Blue Jays. He struck out two and did not allow a base runner in his only inning pitched so far.
Worst:
In the team’s opening game, Luis Gil (NYY) was hit around hard to the tune of a 1.67 WHIP in three innings pitched. On the bright side, he did strike out three batters, but baserunners were everywhere.
Dawel Lugo was recently cut loose by the Tigers, and he unfortunately hasn’t made a good first impression for prospective suitors with just two hits in twelve at bats.
The A’s need cost-controlled production, and Luis Barrera could help them in the outfield. However, not only does he have just two hits in 11 at bats, but he also has already stuck out four times.
Pablo Reyes, similarly to Lugo, is looking to boost his stock this winter, yet he currently has a .321 OPS in limited action.
Leones del Escogido
Best:
Considered by most to be the top prospect in baseball, Wander Franco (TB) has wasted no time making his presence felt. In 20 at bats, he currently has seven hits, and all together, has a .435 on-base percentage with a home run. Remember folks, he’s only 19 years old!
Luis Liberato (SEA) is one of several Mariners outfield prospects, and in very limited action, has reached base four times in nine plate appearances.
A former Astros prospect that was traded to the Blue Jays in the Roberto Ozuna-Ken Giles trade, tall righty David Paulino has six strikeouts in 3.1 innings. The three walks are a concern, but his bat-missing ability remains intact.
Worst:
Outside of Franco, Julio Rodriguez (SEA) was seen as the top player in the winter league. Unlike Franco, however, he’s off to a slow start, striking out nine times in 23 at bats with a .551 OPS
Looking to earn his spot as a starting outfielder for the Astros with Michael Brantley and George Springer heading into free agency, Chas McCormick has just a .278 on-base percentage. On the bright side, he does have three doubles, so he has shown some impact power so far.
Rays first baseman Nate Lowe has already walked four times, but he is just 3-for-16 and does not have an extra-base hit.
After being suspended for PEDs, Astros righty Francis Martes rightfully is getting some work in this winter. Unfortunately, he allowed four base runners in his lone appearance, which lasted just a 0.2 innings.
Gigantes del Cibao
Best:
He has had to move around a lot due to roster crunches, but could Jose Siri make an impact for the Giants? His 1.127 OPS in 13 at bats in intriguing, as is his four walks.
Heading into a make-or-break season with the Rangers, first baseman Ronald Guzman has made an early statement with six hits and SIX WALKS in 23 plate apperances.
Sticking with the theme of strong plate discipline, infielder Abiatal Avelino has four walks and five hits in 17 plate appearances.
After being cut loose by the Astros, Rogelio Armenteros is looking to find a role with his new team, the Diamondbacks. Five strikeouts in three scoreless innings certainly helps his case.
Worst:
A freak on nature with 80-grade raw power and a 6’6” frame at shortstop, there is a lot of buzz around Oneil Cruz (PIT). Unfortunately, he has already struck out five times in 13 at bats, and that has generally been his main concern.
Dodgers reliever Reymin Guduan has allowed three runs and three hits in 1.1 innings, and has yet to strike a batter out.
Toros del Este
Best:
After missing the 2020 season due to a suspension, Domingo German will look to earn his way into the Yankees rotation. He made quite the case with four scoreless innings in the team’s opening game, in which he struck out seven batters.
Lefty relievers Anthony Gose and Fernando Abad each struck out two batters in scoreless innings.
Worst:
Whiffs have always been an issue for Marlins outfielder Jesus Sanchez, so a 0-4 start with two strikeouts certainly stick out like a sore thumb.
In search of finding a role with the Yankees, Miguel Andujar is hitless in his first seven at bats.
Will Jorge Mateo stick with the Padres as a utility player? A 1-for-7 start isn’t ideal, though that hit was at least a double.
Estrellas Orientales:
Best:
The Diamondbacks are likely to cut costs this offseason, so young infielder Domingo Leyba may be playing himself onto their roster with a .909 OPS.
Speaking of players looking to find a role with their big-league teams, Padres catcher Francisco Mejia has already hit for a home run, though he and Leyba each have sub .300 on-base percentages.
Dodgers righty Edward Uceta pitched five strikeouts in three scoreless innings in his only appearance.
Now a member of the Mets, Ariel Jurado had a nice start for his team with just one run allowed in four innings of work.
Worst:
Lewin Diaz (MIA) was acquired by the Marlins from the Twins in the Sergio Romo trade, and has already made his big-league debut. A .633 OPS so far isn’t a great start to the LIDOM season.
The Astros don’t have much in the way of position player prospects, but shortstop Jeremy Pena stands out. A .200 on-base percentage wasn’t what he was hoping for so far, however.
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, several teams haven’t played enough games to get a good read on some of these players. Between the dominance of Wander Franco, however, as well as intriguing performances by Jose Siri, Domingo German, Rogelio Armenteros, Victor Robles, and others, there was a lot to take away from this first week of action! Prospects Live will continue to keep you updated with LIDOM coverage.