We are officially through the third week of the Dominican Winer League (LIDOM). Fortunately, every team was able to play their full slates of games after last week’s slate was limited due to COVID-19 concerns. Meanwhile, several notable players made their respective debuts this week, which only adds to the overall intrigue. Let us take a look at the best/worst performers of the week!
Aguilas Cibaenas
Best:
After being on this article as a poor performer last week, Cardinals first baseman Rangel Ravelo got back on track, notching a hit in each of Aguilas’ four games this week.
Expectations continue to be high for right-hander Ramon Rosso, and he continues to deliver. In 10 innings of work this week, he totaled 12 strikeouts, compared to just one walk allowed and one earned run allowed. With an overall ERA of 0.47, he is pitching his way into the Phillies bullpen next season.
After struggling early on, Marcos Diplan (DET) has been able to lower his ERA to 1.54; he pitched six scoreless innings this week.
Worst:
After being let go by the Nationals, Wilmer Difo is looking to latch on to a new team as a utility player, but a 1-for-9 showing that lowered his overall OPS to .529 won’t help his cause.
Veteran outfielders Juan Lagares and Melky Cabrera each still have an OPS under .550.
Mariners reliever Yohan Ramirez had been performing well, but on Saturday, he was roughed up to the tune of two runs allowed in just 0.1 innings.
After being the losing pitcher in Aguilas’ first game of the year, Junior Fernandez (STL) made his next appearance on Tuesday, but didn’t fare much better two walks and one hit allowed in 0.2 innings.
Tigres del Licey
Best:
The White Sox have a lot of designated hitter options, but Yermin Mercedes made his case this week with a home run, though his on-base percentage still was below-average at .304.
Currently a free agent, Jorge Bonifacio certainly boosted his stock by going 7-21 with three walks
Veteran right-hander Ervin Santana remains committed to playing, and his performance on Wednesday, in which he struck out five batters and allowed just one run in five innings, illustrates that he may have some juice left in the tank.
Once considered a top prospect, Albert Abreu (NYY) showcased his raw talent with four strikeouts in 3.2 innings, though he did walk three batters.
With the Reds likely to lose Trevor Bauer in free agency and also shopping Sonny Gray, they need any help they get for their pitching staff, so Vladimir Gutierrez's excellent showing on Monday (7 strikeouts, 0 runs allowed, 4 IP) had to be encouraging.
Speaking of teams that need pitching, the Angels certainly qualify, and Jaime Barria gave them reason for optimism with five strikeouts and just one run allowed in four innings pitched on Saturday.
Worst:
After another poor performance this week, former Pirate Pablo Reyes now has an on-base percentage of .189 — far from ideal.
Whereas Albert Abreu performed solid, the same cannot be said for the Yankees’ other impact pitcher on this roster, Luis Gil. He allowed two runs, two walks, and four hits in his 2.2-inning outing on Wednesday.
Not a great start for young Phillies pitching prospect Adonis Medina, who let up two runs and two walks in three innings this week.
Leones del Escogido
Best:
After trading for Jose Iglesias, the Angels won’t be asking Luis Rengifo to be an everyday player for him, but I’m sure they are happy to see him with a triple and a home run over his first ten at bats of the winter league.
In need of pitching depth, the Red Sox may want to take a closer look at Denyi Reyes, who pitched five scoreless innings on Wednesday. He has yet to allow a run through 13 innings pitched.
Worst:
The Yankees already have a crowded outfield., and are now rumored to be interested in left-handed outfielders Michael Brantley and Kyle Schwarber. That isn’t a great sign for Estevan Florial, who had just one hit in 11 at bats this week and still hasn’t lived up to his hype of a couple of years ago.
Speaking of left-handed hitting outfielders, Gregory Polanco’s future with the Pirates is in question, and striking out ten times in 17 at bats this week won’t exactly create extra optimism.
Gigantes del Cibao
Best:
Jose Siri (SF) has been cut loose by multiple teams recently, but could he work his way into the Giants’ outfield puzzle? He not only had six hits and 20 at bats this week, but he also continued to impress with his plate discipline with a couple of walks.
Young Pirates reliever Miguel Del Pozo has produced with six strikeouts in 3.1 innings.
Speaking of lefty relievers, Randy Rosario, previously of the Cubs and Royals, struck out three batters in 2.2 scoreless innings this week.
Worst:
Once acquired by the Giants from the Yankees for Andrew McCutchen, Abiatal Avelino (CHC) did not record a hit in 21 at bats this week.
After performing well in his first appearance of the winter league, former Astro righty Rogelio Armenteros (ARI) came back to earth with two earned runs allowed and five hits allowed in 1.2 innings, though his defense played a role in that.
In his debut this week, Marlins’ flame throwing righty Jorge Guzman remained wild with one HBP, one wild pitch, one walk, and a home run allowed in his lone inning of work. He still projects as a bullpen arm.
Pirates reliever Edgar Santana allowed a walk, two hits, and an earned run in his lone appearance on Tuesday.
Toros del Este
Best:
The main buzz around the Toros right now has to be the debut of Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez. The 28-year-old reached base in four of his nine plate appearances, and also slugged a very powerful home run.
Vidal Brujan (TB) may not be hitting for power, but with another three walks this week, he sports a .409 on-base percentage. He’ll form a terrific double-play duo with top prospect Wander Franco in Tampa Bay for years to come.
Free agent lefty reliever Fernando Abad has boosted his stock with six scoreless innings (including three this week) and zero walks allowed.
Worst:
Former Rockies and Giants utility player Christian Adames is currently a free agent, and he has disappointed with a .521 OPS thus far.
After dominating in his first outing, Domingo German (NYY) has regressed dramatically. He allowed eight earned runs in 6.2 innings this week, and now has an ERA over 5.00. We’ll see if the Yankees expect him to play a role in their rotation next season.
Now a member of the Giants organization, Rodolfo Martinez allowed an earned run and a walk in his lone inning of work. Overall, he now has a 10.80 ERA and four walks in his 1.2 innings pitched.
Estrellas Orientales
Best:
Looking to work his way onto the Diamondbacks roster as a utility player, Domingo Leyba was able to keep his OPS (1.028) over 1.000. He has been one of the most impressive players thus far.
Considered one of the better position player prospects for the Astros, shortstop Jeremy Pena was performed extremely well. He had two hits in each of his four games played this week, and has an on-base percentage of .367 for the season.
Free agent lefty Nestor Cortes continued to make waves in the winter league with six strikeouts and just one earned run allowed in four innings pitched.
Could Joel Payamps pitch his way into a big-league role for the Red Sox? The 26-year-old has a 1.80 ERA in 10 innings of work, including five scoreless innings this week.
Worst:
Cristian Pache (ATL) was a late addition for the Estrellas, which was supposed to propel them over the top. Unfortunately, he was hitless in ten at bats this week, though he did draw three walks.
Although Rays relived Edgar Garcia has yet to allow a run, he also has walked four batters in his last 0.2 innings pitched, and that is something Tampa Bay does not want to continue.
This was certainly an exciting week for the Dominican Winter League. Gary Sanchez’s debut is a major storyline, considering that he has a lot to prove this upcoming season, while Ramon Rosso and other young pitchers continued to flourish. Prospects Live will continue to update you daily on what is going on with LIDOM, in addition to another weekly recap next Monday!