While much of the baseball world was focussed on the MLB Non-Tender Deadline, we here at Prospects Live remain committed to providing the best coverage from LIDOM, the Dominican Winter League. On Wednesday, you saw three games on the schedule despite an off day for Aquilas Cibaenas and Estrellas Orientales.
Tigres del Licey (1) vs Toros del Este (2) — 7 inn
Tigres del Licey (0) vs Toros del Este (2) — 7 inn
Tigres del Licey
The biggest bright spot in Game 1 was Ervin Santana. After failing to pitch in a big-league game last season, the 37-year-old righty tossed five innings of one-run ball, striking out five while walking two. He’s tallied 11 strikeouts over his 8.1 innings pitched this winter — far superior than his career 7.2 K/9 might suggest.
Sergio Alcantara (DET) and Pablo Reyes were the only members of the Tigres squad to record hits in each of the two games. Alcantara, having made his MLB debut on September 6, holds the No. 31 spot on our Detroit Tigers Prospect Board. The 24-year-old utility infielder has recorded five hits in his first 13 AB’s.
Luis Gil (NYY) started and was saddled with the loss after facing 14 batters in 2.2 innings. After recording two outs in the third inning, he gave up a run-scoring triple, then a subsequent wild pitch. The proceeding batters walked and singled, putting an end to his day.
Toros del Este
It seems like we are talking about Rays prospects on a daily basis here at Prospects Live. So who am I to rock the boat? Although he didn’t play in the late game, Vidal Brujan added two more hits on Wednesday afternoon — he now boasts a .471 OBP and has recorded five stolen bases in just nine games. I suppose if you were looking for a potential red flag, you could focus in on the fact that he has been caught-stealing three times. So, if you are desperate to point out a flaw, you’d like to see him pick his spots a bit better to help increase the success rate.
Getting the start in the early affair, Carlos Hernandez (KC) pitched five innings of two-hit ball, striking out two, without delivering a walk. He made his MLB debut last season, as a 23-year-old, appearing in five games for the Royals.
Trying to make a name for himself in the Astros organization, outfielder Bryan de la Cruz started the winter on a solid note, gathering seven hits in his first four games. He failed to add to that total on Wednesday, in the lone game he played, striking out in both of his at-bats.
Jesus Sanchez (MIA) provided an exciting end to the evening when his diving catch in right field put an end to the double-header. Which is only fitting since his triple gave them the lead, moments before he scored on the wild pitch from Gil. His two hits on the night doubled his winter output up until that point. He now has four hits in 20 plate appearances, walking once while striking out six times.
Gigantes del Cibao (1) vs Leones del Escogido (0) — 12 inn
Gigantes del Cibao
In terms of batting average, first baseman Ronald Guzman (TEX) finds himself atop the LIDOM leaderboard, among qualified hitters. His 3-for-5 performance on Wednesday now gives him 10 hit in 30 at-bats over seven games played.
After bouncing around the minors for six years, as a member of the Angels, Braves, and Cardinals organization, right-hander Chris Ellis (KC) made his MLB debut for the Royals in 2019 — he hasn’t seen a big-league mound since. In his first two appearances for los Gigantes, the former third round pick has yet to allow a run. On Wednesday, his first start, he pitched six innings of two-hit ball, striking out seven while not allowing a walk. It’s also worth noting, this is his second winter playing for LIDOM (2018) — he has zero earned runs allowed in 26.2 innings, and has a 24:4 K:BB ratio.
Leones del Escogido
There isn’t much to discuss in terms of offensive production. Taking a look at some of the recognizable names, Estevan Florial (NYY), Gregory Polanco (PIT), and Franchy Cordero (KC) combined to go 0-for-10 on the night, with four strikeouts.
Denyi Reyes (BOS) pitched well for the third consecutive outing. He’s now made three starts in LIDOM action and the Red Sox organization has to be thrilled that he has allowed only five hits over 13 innings, striking out 12 and allowing just one free pass. He didn’t crack our Red Sox Prospect Board, however the 24-year-old may find himself moving up the organizational ranks if this development continues.
(Photo Credit: Clinton Riddle)