LAD had two teams in the DSL. Both teams reached the playoffs, with LAD DSL Bautista becoming the DSL Champion for 2023.
Over the last several years (Since 2015) the Dodgers have had some promising names signed as International Free Agents (IFA) come out of the Dominican Summer League (DSL), but thus far, none have even been a fixture at the MLB level, much less be a star. There has been a lot of lost money spent in this arena.
The Dodgers are still holding out hope for both Miguel Vargas (signed September 2017) and Diego Cartaya (July 2018). The luster on their stars have certainly tarnished, but they are both young and very capable. I am still holding out for Jerming Rosario (signed with Cartaya). But time is running out for SS Wilman Diaz and OF Luis Rodriguez, two highly considered IFA prospects signed by LAD.
Earlier in the year, I wrote about Josue De Paula who will find himself on multiple Top 100 prospect lists going into his age 19 season (turns 19 on May 24, 2024).
But 2023 could be a very good year for LAD DSL prospects. I recently wrote the following on two of the best young prospects whose names everyone should become very familiar with over the next few years. SS Joendry Vargas and CF Eduardo Quintero. After being signed, Quintero was immediately converted from catcher to CF.
As a summary:
CF Eduardo Quintero (as a 17 year old) – 170 AB – .359/.472/.618/1.090. 32 BB and 34 K. 15 doubles, 7 triples, and 5 HR with 42 RBI. In the DSL:
- OPS – #2
- BA – #3
- SLG – #3
- OBP – #10
SS Joendry Vargas (as a 17 year old) – 174 AB – .328/.423/.529/.952 – 30 BB and 31 K. 12 doubles, 1 triples, and 7 HR with 31 RBI. Vargas was #16 in the DSL in BA, SLG, and OPS.
https://ladodgerchronicles.com/two-lad-dsl-prospects-to-look-forward-to/
There were others that I am certainly going to follow and report on. The Dodgers have yet another catcher to monitor:
C Angel Diaz (as a 19 year old) – In 133 AB – .353/.457/.586/1.043 – 23 BB and 21 K. 10 doubles, 0 triples, and 7 HR and 33 RBI.
- BA – #4
- SLG – #4
- OPS – #5
- OBP – #14
He may be a little bit older, and this was his 2nd year in the DSL, but his 1st year was very good as well – 100 AB, .310/.402/.490/.892. He also plays 1B and DH. He could break with Rancho in 2024.
SS Alexander Albertus (as a 18 year old) – After a good first year in the DSL as a 17 year old, he was assigned back in the DSL and continued to produce. He played almost equally at SS, 3B, and 2B. Alexander was one of my “need to follow” prospects from the DSL last year.
In 94 DSL AB, Albertus – .309/.447/.479/.926, 4 doubles, 4 HR, 24 BB, 15 K
After 31 games, Albertus was assigned to the Dodgers ACL team. In 14 ACL games, 32 AB, Albertus hit – .313/.532/.438/.970, 1 double, 1 HR, 14 BB, 4 K
It sure looks like Albertus has a keen eye, plate discipline, and good bat to ball skills. I will be monitoring the Rancho roster for 2024 and hope to see Albertus’ name.
INF Elias Medina (as a 17 year old) – Played mostly 3B, but also SS and 2B. In 150 AB, Medina batted .313/.381/.553/.934, 9 doubles, 3 triples, 7 HR, 16 BB, 37 K. He was #12 in the DSL in SLG and #24 in OPS. He turns 18 next month, so I expect to see him in the Arizona Complex League to start 2024. I do not see Medina passing ACL as did Josue De Paula.
C Victor Rodriguez (as an 18 year old) – Another DSL player starting the season in the DSL and reaching the US in the LAD ACL. In 30 games and 96 AB in the DSL, .292/.407/.406/.813, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 19 BB and 11K.
Once he reached the ACL, in 17 games and 46 AB, .217/.379/.304/.683, 4 doubles, 12 BB and 13 K. Victor will undoubtedly begin the 2024 season in the ACL.
OF Abel Lorenzo (17) and INF Elio Campos (19), should reach the LAD ACL next year. One player that did not have as positive of a season as LAD hoped, OF Arnaldo Lantigua (17), showed some power, but his BA and OBP were sluggish. He hit .222/.345/.475/.820, 4 doubles, 7 HR, 18 BB and 26 K.
There were not many SP that merit close monitoring in 2024, but one SP deserves kudos for his season.
RHSP Jesus Tillero (17) – Jesus is 6’0” 190 pounds, and at 17 he still has time to sprout a bit. Jesus pitched 10 games (all starts), 30.2 IP, 1.47 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, .184 BAA, 34 strikeouts against only 6 BB. Only 30.2 IP and only 17. The Dodgers will take their time with him. I have to believe the Dodgers will bring him to Arizona for extended ST and ACL for 2024.
Other Starters:
LHSP Moises Brito (20) – 6’5” 215 pounds. Brito was came to the Dodgers from Toronto with Nick Frasso in the Mitch White and Alex De Jesus trade. In 12 games (11 starts), 42.0 IP, 2.36 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, .152 BAA, 54 K and 10 BB. Due to his age, Brito could be one to be pushed a bit once he gets to the States. I hope he gets to start at Rancho next season.
RHSP Javier Bartolozzi (18) – 6’4” 193 pounds – 13 games all starts – 39.1 IP, 3.66 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .252 BA, 42 K and 11 BB.
RHP Angel Cruz (18) – 6’1” 210 pounds – 18 games (5 starts) – 37.2 IP, 2.63 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .184 BAA, 56 K and 23 BB.
RHP Nicolas Cruz (19) – 5’11” 160 pounds – 11 games (6 starts) – 28.1 IP, 2.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, .268 BAA, 21 K and 8 BB.
I do not expect to see the last two become key starters for the Dodgers, but they do deserve to get a notice to see what happens next year.
Primarily Relievers:
RHRP Angel Tello (19) – 6’4” 165 pounds – Primary closer – 5 saves in 7 save opportunities. 17 games, 27.2 IP, 1.95 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, .175 BAA, 19 K and 11 BB. Not much of a swing and miss pitcher.
RHRP Domingo Geronimo (18) – 5’11” 150 pounds. A little undersized, but was used as a late inning reliever with 4 saves in 7 save opportunities. 19 games, 30.2 IP, 2.05 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, .202 BAA, 25 K and 11BB.
LHRP Peter Bonilla (18) – 6’3” 195 pounds – 19 games – 32.0 IP, 1.41 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .189 BAA, 38 K and 20 BB. A few too many BB. He was not a late inning high leverage reliever, but rather a multi inning reliever.
RHRP Dilan Figueredo (20) – 6’0” 174 pounds – 17 games – 29.2 IP, 2.12 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, .157 BAA, 25 K and 12 BB. He had 3 holds and 1 save, so he had more high leverage opportunities.
RHRP Jhonny Jimenez (19) – 3rd season in DSL – 6’5” 180 pounds – 17 games, 31.1 IP, 1.44 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, .143 BAA, 25 K and 13 BB.
RHRP Yoryi Simarra (18) – 6’1” 174 pounds – 17 games, 26.0 IP, 1.38 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, .159 BAA, 32 K and 18 BB
It is very difficult to label DSL prospects as true top prospects, but there was enough talent to merit strong consideration from multiple 2023 DSL prospects. Most are high school juniors when signed. My top five LAD DSL prospects (no specific order):
- CF Eduardo Quintero
- SS Joendry Vargas
- C Angel Cruz
- RHSP Jesus Tillero
- LHSP Moises Brito
Honorable Mention:
- SS Alexander Albertus
- INF Elias Medina
- Victor Rodriguez
This thread reminded me of my last trip to the Dominican Republic. IIRC, it was 1994 or 95. Ramon Martinez was all the rage and baseball was an easy way to communicate with the locals. Pretty place, and that’s about all the positives I have for that shithole.
Quintero is getting crazy hype right now.
Like De Paula this past season. I can see Quintero (and maybe Vargas) skip ACL rookie league and move right to Rancho. Like with De Paula, they would necessarily get extended ST until the ACL started (June) and then get assigned directly to Rancho.
I prefer to see some of the better prospects moved quicker. I do not think the push of De Paula hurt his development.
Interesting post Jeff.
I like to read about our prospects progress, but with so many it’s hard to know who we can look forward to seeing on the Dodgers roster. I’m most interested in who is considered hands off (Vargas and Quintero listed in linked article here) and who’s ready now.
At the moment my favorite prospect is Jonny DeLuca. But at 25 I wonder what LA has planned for him.
Since I don’t know those young pitchers, I’m drawn to the taller, stronger ones who are striking people out.
It is hard to know which ones are dominant. Even with the strikeouts. The Dominican Summer League is filled with free hackers. So how much chase? We just do not know unless you are there scouting. I asked the owner of the site to see if I could have had a trip to watch some games in the DR and she said NO!!!
Even with the older relievers. Many relievers take a bit longer to emerge.
What’s that old expression about it being easier to ask forgiveness than permission?
Have a great trip! 😂
If you need someone to carry your bags and taste test your food Jeff…. all I ask is airfare, room and board.
Interesting stuff Jefe. I like reading about the kids. I know so little about the players in the system except the guys at AA and AAA.
Yeah, I agree. And I count on you Jeff to keep me informed. And I might repeat myself here as my attention span and memory retention are getting shorter every month.
I still anticipate Cartaya and Vargas to be regulars. I still think Busch will be moved. As I said I really like Deluca, maybe as a left fielder as center appears to be taken. The pitchers we’ve seen all look to me like they have Major League stuff, though defining roles is still, well, undefined.
As for the lower level minor leagues I have only what I read here, and you may have to continue to update the prospectus on them. I count on you to keep me informed. And forgive me if I repeat myself here but my attention span and memory retention are getting shorter every month.
I picked out 7 DSL players that I will monitor over the next couple of years to see if they make that AA or AAA roster that most fans follow. I have no real idea if any of the 7 will make it, or if someone I did not name will somehow develop and make the LAD MLB roster. It is easy when the AA team has five future MLB pitchers and some of them make top 100 lists. But I like to pick up on the younger ones with promise. RHSP Jesus Tillero is such a name that fans should remember. Has he developed faster than those in his age group or will he continue to develop and dominate? I am guessing the latter, but that is from a great distance.
When was the last time LAD had DSL players play at the level of Eduardo Quintero or Joendry Vargas? Teams with players that were that productive were pushed through their systems. Vlad Jr., Tatis Jr., Acuña Jr., Julio Rodriguez, Elly De La Cruz, Luis Robert Jr., Ozzie Albies, Gleyber Torres (that one is for you Bums). Will the Dodgers? Josue De Paula got a bit of a push last year. Will it continue?
For me these kids are fun to follow. Sometimes it is fun to build for elite rather than depth.
Just read an Atlantic article on why baseball shouldn’t be shortened. It’s eternal, that’s why.
Among the response letters written were these thoughts:
“*Sports fans have shown themselves to be willing to forgive a lot—but not necessarily boredom. Of all the sports, baseball is uniquely slow.
*for every hour of elapsed time, one would see just three minutes of action. Professional football and basketball have far more action per hour than baseball under the same definition, which I think explains their relative popularity.
*The cheating that has gone on for decades has put off many fans, and the lack of any meaningful accountability has surely only made it worse. Players who were known to use banned substances—Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa—still lead the league’s counts for most home runs in a single season, accolades that should have been expunged from the books. And Leibovich barely touches on perhaps the worst of these scofflaw violations: The Houston Astros were caught cheating in the 2017 and 2018 seasons, including the 2017 postseason, which netted the team a World Series victory. Nonetheless, they were permitted to keep the championship title, and none of the players who cheated was disciplined—they are still playing now. When several Chicago White Sox players conspired to throw the 1919 World Series, by contrast, they were barred from baseball forever. For some fans, these problems are more serious than the length of games.”
Food for thought. Hungry anyone?
Thoughts?
The Atlantic is awesome.
That’s true.
Thanks for your response.
Im gona buy a Garcia jersey and wear it in Houston
Don’t let Bryan Abreu find you.