We are now through the five weeks of the Dominican Winer League (LIDOM). As always, let us take a look at the best and worst performances by players of note this past week!

Aguilas Cibaenas

Best:

Victor Robles (WSH) didn’t have a standout performance, but he did draw two walks, which is encouraging as he looks to improve his walk rate in a critical third season as the Nationals’ center fielder.
Currently a free agent, former White Sox and Royals righty Michael Ynoa pitched 2.2 scoreless innings this week.

Worst:

After being the star of the winter league, Ramon Rosso came back to earth this week, allowing six runs in two innings pitched on Wednesday. He still boasts a 31-6 K-BB ratio, however, so Phillies fans ought to be encouraged about his overall performance.
Looking to stick in the Cardinals’ rotation in 2021, Carlos Martinez’s debut with Aguilas wasn’t spectacular; he allowed seven hits and multiple runs in 3.1 innings, though he did not walk anyone and struck out four batters.
Speaking of pitchers in St.Louis, they are expecting Junior Fernandez to make an impact in their bullpen, but he continued his struggles (15.75 ERA) with a very poor performance on Saturday. He gave up four runs, walked two batters, and allowed a home run in just .1 innings, while his overall K-BB ratio is very alarming: 2-5.

Tigres del Licey

Best:

Few players demonstrated as tremendous plate discipline this week as Emilio Bonifacio. The free-agent utility player drew four walks in 13 plate appearances, and now has an on-base percentage of .384. It is likely he earns a Spring Training invite from an MLB team, given his versatility.
Erick Mejia appeared on this list last week, and the former Royal is back on it with three hits in the past two games.
In what has to be considered an excellent development for Yankees fans, former top prospect Albert Abreu stole the show on Tuesday with six scoreless innings pitched.
The Angels have stated that they won’t be desperate to add starting pitching, and another strong performance (1 ER in 5 IP) by Jamie Barria certainly helps.

Worst:

Speaking of the Angels, recently non-tendered reliever Hansel Robles got roughed up on Monday, allowing three runs while not recording a single out.
Returning to action this week, Rangers shortstop Anderson Tejada reached base three times in 15 plate appearances, and also struck out four times. His ability to make consistent contact should be monitored as he pushes for a role with Texas’ big-league team next year.
This was quite the difficult week for free-agent catcher Sandy Leon, who had just one hit in 13 at bats, and currently has an OPS of just .667.
Not only did Ramon Rosso struggle this week, but Adonis Medina allowed three runs in three innings, while striking out just one batter. Not a great week for young pitchers in the Phillies organization.

Leones del Escogido

Best:

Since debuting in the winter league this year, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) has absolutely dominated. He reached base 10 times in 24 plate appearances, had three extra-base hits, and boasts a 1.052 OPS.
This was a tremendous week for Yankees outfield prospect Estevan Florial. The 23-year-old reached base more times (seven) than he didn’t in thirteen plate appearances, and also hit a home run on Wednesday. It’ll be fun to see if he can work his way into New York’s crowded outfield mix.

Worst:

After being considered a top performer last week, 6-foot-7 righty David Paulino (TOR) got hit around hard to the tune of four runs and seven hits allowed in 2.2 innings pitched on Friday. On the bright side, he did strike out four batters, and still has a very encouraging 13.2 K/9.
The Royals have already added Michael A. Taylor to their outfield, and he could start over Franchy Cordero if the latter’s whiff issues continue to persist. This week, he struck out another four times, and is striking out in 25.7% of his plate appearances thus far.

Gigantes del Cibao

Best:

What a week for free-agent first baseman and LIDOM legend Juan Francisco! The lefty slugger has hit three home runs and five hits in his past two games. Still just 33 years old, it would be such pleasure to watch him back in the majors.
The addition of Nate Lowe has seemingly lit a fire for Ronald Guzman (TEX), who has reached base nine times in his last 19 plate appearances, including two home runs.
As he looks to potential start at third base for the Royals next season, Kelvin Gutierrez reached base five times in 11 plate appearances, and also totaled two extra-base hits, including a home run. This is his second-straight appearance on this list.
After struggling last week, Jose Siri (SF) got back on track by reaching base 12 times in 26 plate appearances. Yes, he continues to strike out at a high rate, but he has combatted that by drawing a lot of walks and making quality contact.

Worst:

Free-agent reliever Juan Minaya is on this list as a poor performer for another week after allowing an earned run in each of his appearances out of the bullpen this week.
Jose Cisnero is coming off of a fantastic season for the Tigers, but his first week in the winter league hasn’t gone as planned; he has hit hard to the tune of two runs, three hits, and a home run allowed in his 0.1 innings-pitched appearance on Thursday.

Toros del Este

Best:

After getting off to a brutal start, Jorge Mateo is now the Toros’ top performer. He had 10 hits in 21 at bats this week and all of a sudden is making a strong case to be the Padres’ top utility option this year.
Through his first two weeks in the winter league, Yasiel Puig has certainly displayed his plate discipline. He has drawn seven walks in 16 plate appearances thus far, which certainly will make him more appealing to teams in need of an outfielder.
This has been a great week for young players on the Yankees. It is unclear what Miguel Andujar’s future role with the team is, but he made his case by reaching base in half on his plate appearances this week.
Free-agent reliever Fernando Abad has been one the secret stars of the winter league, and he has now pushed his scoreless innings pitched streak to nine!

Worst:

With a .506 OPS in 32 plate appearances, it is safe to say Jeimer Candelario (DET) hasn’t built off of his impressive 2020 season thus far.
With four earned runs allowed in just 0.2 innings pitched, Domingo German saw his ERA rise to 7.16, which isn’t ideal as he fights for a spot in the Yankees’ rotation.
In his debut, young A’s reliever Miguel Diaz allowed four earned runs in a single inning pitched on Friday; he certainly was hoping to get off to a better start.

Estrellas Orientales

Best:

This was a productive week for young Astros shortstop prospect Jeremy Pena, who not only posted a .357 on-base percentage this week, but also demonstrated much-needed plate discipline with three walks on Wednesday.
By reaching on base in every game this week, Marlins first baseman Lewin Diaz was finally able to get his on-base percentage over .300.
Free-agent lefty Nestor Cortes continued to boost his stock with six strikeouts in four innings pitched on Friday.
Now with the A’s, tall righty Domingo Acevado extended his scoreless inning pitched streak to 11.

Worst:

The Padres are interested in signing Yadier Molina, which means Francisco Mejia’s time with the team could be coming to an end. He certainly didn’t help his case by seeing his OPS drop to .432 after reaching base just one time in 16 plate appearances.
If the Braves were hoping to start Cristian Pache in center field next season, they were certainly hoping for more than a .401 OPS in his first 28 plate appearances.

This was a very interesting week of action, as several of the league’s previous top performers struggled, and the same is true vice versa. Guerrero Jr.’s performance thus far has been incredibly exciting, while this was a very encouraging week overall for Yankees fans. As always, we will be next week to recap the best and worst performers! Will Guerrero Jr. keep this up? Can some key prospects get back on track? Find out next week!