Updates of prospects, minor leaguers, and MLB players, participating in LIDOM (Dominican Professional Baseball League).
LIDOM Recap 12/23: Andy Otero, Vladimir Gutierrez continue to impress
On the final day before the holiday break, two games took place. Despite the limited action, several players stood out, including a couple that are still looking to sign contracts for the 2021 season. Plus, a couple highly regarded prospects continue to struggle.
Estrellas Orientales (1) vs Tigres del Licey (6)
Estrellas Orientales
Entering as a mid-game replacement, Oscar Gonzalez (CLE) recorded his first two hits of the winter. Although he didn’t land on our list of the top prospects in the Cleveland system, there’s certainly an argument that could be made to include the 22-year-old outfielder.
The last time Andy Otero pitched in a professional baseball game was for the Carolina Mudcats (former of the Atlanta Braves organization), five years ago. His performance on Wednesday would suggest that he’s not far away from earning a minor league deal. Listed at 5-foot-9-inches tall, size has always been an issue for the 28-year-old lefty. However, after allowing just one run over five innings of work, while striking out nine batters, it’s hard not to monitor his progression moving forward. In his five appearances (three starts), Otero has totaled 17 strikeouts over 16.1 innings, posted an ERA of 1.10, and stymied hitters with his 0.73 WHIP.
Entering in relief of Otero, Chester Pimentel (ARI) did not fare as well. This winter, he’s appeared in six games totaling 7.2 innings. The numbers for the 25-year-old aren’t good; he’s allowed six earned runs (nine total) and his 3:3 K:BB ratio is less than desirable.
Tigres del Licey
After his tremendous three-homer night on Tuesday, Narciso Crook had another solid outing on Wednesday by going 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.
Perhaps the biggest benefactors of Crook’s recent success, Anderson Tejeda (TEX) and Dennicher Carrasco (KC) were placed just ahead of him in the batting order. Both men tallied two hits and drove in two runs.
The Tigres were also helped by a standout performance from their starting pitcher, Cincinnati Reds No. 14 prospect, Vladimir Gutierrez. Wednesday was the best of his five starts this winter. The 25-year-old hurled five hitless innings while striking out eight batters. He’s now totaled 21 strikeouts over his 17 innings of work. While certainly this performance doesn’t suggest that the Reds should go and trade away the likes of Sonny Gray and Luis Castillo, it does provide a glimpse of what southern Ohio can expect from Gutierrez.
Gigantes del Cibao (4) vs Toros del Este (2)
Gigantes del Cibao
After his club went out and traded for first base prospect Nate Lowe, it remains to be seen what the future has in store for Ronald Guzman (TEX). Clearly, given his recent success, he’s out to prove that he’s capable of being an everyday player. Since the trade took place on December 11, Guzman is 20-for-52 with three home runs and six RBI over the 15-game stretch. Most notably, he’s in the middle of a six-game hit streak that has helped him post an impressive .360/.450/.523 slash line.
Oneil Cruz continues to struggle at the plate. In 14 games, he’s reaching base at a .260 clip, he’s struck out 14 times, and he’s only walked once. There is definitely some work still to be done before the Pirates will entertain the idea of bringing up the 22-year-old infielder.
Juan Francisco continues to pace LIDOM in both HR and RBI. He added a league-leading 26th RBI on Wednesday, pairing nicely with his seven home runs this winter.
If you’re looking to find the hottest player in LIDOM, look no further than Kelvin Gutierrez (KC). He’s in the midst of a five-game stretch that has seen him post 10 hits over his last 19 at-bats. At 26 years old, it stands to reason that the Royals might give him a shot to stick at the big-league level. The idea of trading away some veteran talent to get younger, controllable players while opening up playing time for guys like Gutierrez, seems like it could be the best approach for the Royals to get back to where they were five years ago.
Toros del Este
Heading into the 2021 season, Jeimer Candelario is drawing some buzz in fantasy circles. His 137 wRC+ has people excited, the idea of position flexibility (1B/3B) is also appealing to some, however, be prepared to go through several rough stretches during the season — just look at his LIDOM numbers this winter. Over the course of 11 games he has put together streaks of 0-for-7, followed by 3-for-8, then 1-for-16 led into 4-for-9. The good news? He went 3-for-4 last night and added a stolen base. The bad news? He has more hits in the last two days than he had all winter.
Yankees fans are likely growing more and more concerned with the progress of Miguel Andujar. He went 1-for-5 on Wednesday and is now batting .308 this winter, however, he isn’t drawing walks (.333 OBP), he is best suited in a DH role, and if he isn’t helping in the home run department, his time in New York may be short lived. The same could be said for Gary Sanchez’s time in the Empire State — there were rumors that he was going to be non-tendered before the team ultimately tendered a contract that will likely land around the $5.75MM mark. He went 0-for-5 on Wednesday and he’s striking out once every 3.5 times to the plate. After a five-game hit streak earlier this month, he’s now 2-for-his-last-20.
The curious case of Anthony Gose (CLE) continues. You may remember him as an outfielder, however, his performance as a pitcher may prove to be far more memorable. In 10 relief appearances, the 30-year-old lefty has a 0.90 ERA with a 0.80 WHIP. He has struck out 10 batters and the only run he has allowed was a solo-home run on December 12.
Photo Credit: Estrellas Orientales (Twitter Page)
