We are officially through the second week of the Dominican Winer League (LIDOM). Unfortunately, several games have been 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 second week by analyzing the best and worst performances.
Aguilas Cibaenas
Best:
Victor Robles (WSH) continues to play well, going 2-for-7 with two walks and a double.
Ramon Rosso (PHI) appeared on this list last week, and after striking out 3 batters in four scoreless innings on Wednesday, he’s here again.
Speaking of intriguing relievers, Yohan Ramirez (SEA) performed well with 3 strike outs in two scoreless innings.
Worst:
After a hot start to the season, Rangel Ravelo (STL) has just two hits in his last 16 at bats
Veteran center fielder Juan Lagares also had just two hits in 12 at bats this week, dropping his OPS to .506.
Former Rangers reliever Neftali Feliz did not allow an earned run, but walked three batters, gave up two hits, and only struck out one batter in three innings of work this week.
Tigres del Licey
Unfortunately, due to public health concerns, Tigres del Licey did not participate in a game this week.
Leones del Escogido
Best:
Luis Liberato (SEA) performed well last week in a small sample size and he has delivered with more playing time. With four extra-base hits this week, his OPS is up to 1.274.
By reaching base three times in four plate appearances on Friday, Chas McCormick (HOU) showed why he’s worthy of consideration for a 25-man roster spot in Houston.
6-foot-7 righty David Paulino (TOR) struck out three batters in three scoreless innings on Wednesday.
The Red Sox could use any sort of bullpen help, so they sure were happy to see Denyi Reyes strike out eight batters in four scoreless innings on Tuesday.
Worst:
Leones del Escogido’s roster has been depleted recently. Top prospect Wander Franco (TB) has missed the past five games due to injury, while Nate Lowe (TB) opted out of the league.
With Franco out, the burden falls on hyped up Mariners prospect Julio Rodriguez to anchor their lineup, but he continued his struggles with a 1-for-8 showing this week. His .516 OPS is one of the main disappointments of the league’s start.
Young Mets righty Franklyn Kilome could be a useful; piece for the team next season given their need for pitching depth. However, he allowed three hits in 0.1 innings on Tuesday. Considering he has pitched just two innings, there is plenty of time for him to get back on track, especially since he was hurt by an error in this appearances.
Gigantes del Cibao
Similarly to Tigres del Licey, Gigantes del Cibao haven’t played this week due to COVID-19 concerns.
Toros del Este
Best:
Wander Franco may be injured, but Rays fans still get to see the other part of their future double-play duo in Vidal Brujan! After not playing last week, he debuted with a .526 on-base percentage, demonstrating the elite plate discipline (26.3% walk rate) that has guided him to being a premier prospect.
Remember Jenrry Mejia? Once considered an elite reliever, the former Met was banned from baseball due to multiple PED suspensions, but he has now pitched three scoreless innings in the Winter League so far.
Worst:
Given the state of the Giants bullpen, the last thing they wanted was to see Melvin Adon have to leave a game due to injury as he did last week. Here’s hoping it isn’t serious.
Looking to stick on the Padres’ deep roster as a utility player, Jorge Mateo surely was counting on something better than a .273 OPS through two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Marlins acquired Jesus Sanchez in the Nick Anderson trade in 2019, and he has struggled to the tune of a .162 OPS with three strikeouts in 11 at bats. He will look to get back on track as he attempts to earn an everyday outfield spot for Miami.
Once a top prospect for the Giants that was traded to the Reds in a 2015 trade for Mike Leake, Keury Mella (ARI) allowed two runs and four hits in his only inning of work this week.
Estrellas Orientales
Best:
The Diamondbacks are known to be cutting costs this offseason, so with a 1.254 OPS through the first two weeks, Domingo Leyba may be playing his way into a big-league utility role.
Estrellas Orientales got a major boost with the debut of Braves young center fielder Cristian Pache, who went 2-4 with a double on Saturday.
Former Cubs slugger Junior Lake is 5-15 in his last five games, and it would be awesome to see him continue to play well and earn an invite to spring training for an MLB team.
Current a free agent, lefty Nestor Cortes has improved his stock so far with nine strikeouts in 7.2 innings.
Young right-handers Joel Payamps (BOS) and Edwin Uceta (LAD) have a combined 13 strikeouts in 10 innings. Payamps has a clear path to an MLB role, while Uceta is one of several well-regarded pitchers for the Dodgers organization.
Worst:
The Padres have shown interest in signing veteran catcher Yadier Molina, which means Francisco Mejia could be on the trading block. Unfortunately, he had just one hit in 14 at bats this week, bringing down his OPS to .465.
Just like with Franklyn Kilome, Ariel Jurado is someone looking to earn a spot for a pitching-hungry Mets organization That said, he unfortunately allowed eight baserunners, including three walks, in 2.1 innings. So far, he has as many walks allowed as he has strikeouts (4)
The A’s are always looking for cheap pitching, but Norge Ruiz didn’t help his case for a bullpen spot with three innings allowed in his lone inning of work this week.
With Tigres del Licey and Gigantes del Cibao each receiving permission to return to play, the third week of the season should feature all six teams. Even with those teams suspended, we learned a lot this week. There are certainly some struggling prospects that will look to get back on track, while young relievers have stolen the show. I am certainly excited to see how this upcoming week plays out.