The Arizona Complex League (ACL) and Dominican Summer League (DSL) both began their seasons on Monday, June 5 and the regular season will end August 22, and will consist of 63 games.
The ACL has 3 divisions, consisting of 17 teams of 15 organizations.
- ACL East (6) – LAA, DBacks (2), Giants (2), Rockies
- ACL Central (5) – A’s, Brewers, Cubs, Guardians, Reds
- ACL West (6) – LAD, Mariners, Padres, Rangers, Royals, ChiSox
The LAD ACL team will have Jair Fernandez as the manager again in 2023. Fernandez guided the ACL Dodgers to a 25-29 record last year.
The remaining staff:
Hitting coach: Danny Dorn
Hitting coach: Blake Gailen
Hitting coach: Johermyn Chavez
Pitching coach: Andres Urbina
Pitching coach: Luis Vasquez
Bench coach: Johan Garcia
Coach/complex coordinator: Fumi Ishibashi
Coach/baseball tech associate: Zoe Hicks
Athletic trainer: Alfredo Casillas
Assistant athletic trainer: Zoe Hicks
Performance coach: Jose Gutierrez
Performance associate: Irma Maldonado
Performance operations assistant: Marlon Cairo
Video/development associate: Jade Gortarez
Video/development associate: Joe Nadler
The LAD ACL roster consists of:
26 pitchers, 6 catchers, 11 infielders, and 2 outfielders. Although Samuel Muñoz is listed as an infielder is actually an OF/DH.
Pitchers of note – 20 RHP, 6 LHP:
- Ken Giles – MLB RHRP
- Ryan Brasier – MLB RHRP
- Kendall Williams (22) – RHSP – Traded from Toronto in the Ross Stripling trade in 2020. Pitched 110 innings in 2022, mostly at Great Lakes (A+).
- Jimmy Lewis (22) – 2019 draft pick 2C (Overall 78). In 2021, Lewis pitched 50.1 innings at RC. Pitched some at Rancho in 2022. Was injured early on in his career. Hopefully this will be a breakout year for Lewis.
- Maximo Martinus (19) – Total 4.2 IP in 2022 at ACL. Last pitched June 13. Highly regarded 2021 IFL signee from Caracas, Venezuela. Was in the US as an 18 year old.
- Alberluis Matos (21) – 2019 IFL signee from Santiago, DR. 0 IP in 2022 at LAD ACL.
- Darlin Pinales (20) – 2019 IFL signee from Santo Domingo, DR. – Has 21.0 IP this year at RC.
- Reynaldo Yean (19) – 2021 IFL signee from Sabana Grande de Moya, DR. – Pitched well in DSL in 2022. 24.1 IP. Strikeout pitcher, 41. One of the few IFL signees to reach the US in first year. Three innings last year at ACL.
- Callum Wallace (19) – 2022 IFL signee from Brisbane, Australia – 11.0 IP at ACL in 2022.
- Sean Linan (19) – 2022 IFL signee from Cartagena, Columbia – 26.0 IP in DSL, and pitched very well. Groundball pitcher with a 2.08 ERA and 0.96 WHIP.
Catchers of Note:
- Nelson Quiroz (21) – 2018 IFL signee from Navajoa, Sinaloa, Mexico – Played well at Rancho in 2022 with limited PA. 50 PA, .341/.420/.659/1.079, 6 BB, 5 K.
- Carlos Avila (19) – 2021 IFL signee from Barquisimeto, Venezuela – 2022 stats at DSL – 141 PA, .308/.411/.417/.828.
Infielders of Note:
- Wilman Diaz (19) – 2021 IFL signee from Maracay, Venezuela. One of the most highly regarded SS prospects to come out of Venezuela, who has had nothing but struggles since he signed. While not at the age for a make or break year, it is a critical year for the future of Diaz. Second year at ACL.
Three highly regarded 2022 IFL signees. They play all three SS, 2B, and 3B.
- Mairoshendrick Martinus (18) – Willemstad, Curaçao – 2022 at DSL, 211 PA, .264/.336/.467/.803, 6 doubles, 5 triples, 7 HRs, 38 RBI
- Oswaldo Osorio (18) – San Felipe, Venezuela – 2022 at DSL, 187 PA, .239/.428/.471/.899, 4 doubles, 5 triples, 6 HRs, 39 RBI
- Jerel Perez (18) – La Romana, DR – 2022 at DSL, 205 PA, .278/.371/.500/.871, 11 doubles, 2 triples, 8 HRs, 28 RBIs. Perez has started the year early at RC before being reassigned to ACL. 2023 at RC – 27 PA, .238/.407/.333/.740, 2 doubles.
Two other IFL middle infielders to follow:
- Derlin Figueroa (19) – 2021 IFL signee from Santo Domingo, DR – 2022 at DSL – 169 PA, .296/.393/.535/.928, 5 doubles, 1 trouble, 9 HRs, 38 RBI
- Darol Garcia (20) – 2019 IFL signee from Santo Domingo, DR – 2022 at DSL – 126 PA, .359/.472/.427/.899, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 11 RBI
Three 2022 Rule 4 Amateur Draft Picks – All played some ACL in 2022.
- Sam McLain (22) – 5th round (165 overall) – Played mostly at RC in 2022
- Logan Wagner (19) – 6th round (195 overall)
- Cameron Decker (19) – 18th round (555 overall) – Has played at RC in 2023. 74 PA, .203/.297/.344/.641.
Outfielders of Note –
- Samuel Muñoz (18) – 2022 IFL signee from Santo Domingo, DR – I am including him as an OF even though listed as an infielder. Has played exclusively in OF. 2022 DSL – 210 PA, .347/.429/.491/.920, 12 doubles, 5 triples, 1 HR, 42 RBI
- German Tapia (19) – 2021 IFL signee from San Pedro de Macoris, DR by Toronto. Traded by Toronto to LAD for Garrett Cleavinger. 2022 DSL – 141 PA, .295/.461/.410/.871, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 2 HR, 16 RBI
Of special note, Ben Serunkuma and Umar Male are the first Ugandan-born players to sign a professional baseball contract with an MLB club. Both at ACL.
US Los Angeles Dodgers have signed Uganda Baseball players Ben Serunkuma & Umar Male as the first two Ugandan born to play professionally for a Major League Baseball (MLB) organization in USA.
1/6 pic.twitter.com/aNCI4J8IaW
— National Council of Sports -Uganda (@NCSUganda1) January 28, 2022
2023 Dominican Summer League (DSL) – The DSL season goes from June 5, 2023 to August 22, 2023. There will be a total of 56 games.
2023 International Free Agents Signed and Where Assigned.
- Joendry Vargas (SS) – Bautista – $2,180,000
- Arnaldo Lantigua (OF) – Mega – $700,000
- Daniel Mielcarek (SS) – Mega – $400,000
- Erick Batista (RHP) – Bautista
- Luis Carias (RHP) – Mega
- Harold Gonzalez (SS) – Bautista
- Javier Herrera (SS) – Mega
- Anderson Jerez (RHP) – Mega
- Elias Medina (SS) – Mega
- Samuel Sánchez (RHP) – Mega
- Jesus Tillero – (RHP) – Bautista
- Eduardo Quintero – (C) – Bautista
- Robinson Ventura – (RHP) – Mega
These are the original assignments. They do tend to change. Five of the above have been assigned to DSL LAD Bautista and eight have been assigned to DSL LAD Mega. The Dodgers are loathe to bring any current year IFA to USA in the same year they are signed. I would not expect to see any of the above players in Arizona in the ACL in 2023.
The lone catcher signed this period was Eduardo Quintero who reigns from Venezuela. The Dodgers have signed at least one Venezuelan catcher in each of the last nine international signing periods. But while signed as a catcher, Eduardo has been moved to CF, and that is where he started in Game 1.
Other Venezuelan catchers signed by LAD since 2014.
- 2014 – Keibert Ruiz – Traded to Washington
- 2015 – Marco Hernandez – Released
- 2016 – Wladimir Chalo – Dodgers Development List
- 2017 – Jenderson Jardines – Released
- 2018 – Diego Cartaya – AA, Currently Dodgers #1 prospect
- 2019 – Yeiner Fernandez – High A Great Lakes, catcher/2B
- 2019 – Jefferson Valladares – ACL
- 2019 – Carlos Rojas – ACL
- 2020 – No signing period held
- 2021 – Jesus Galiz – Rancho Cucamonga
- 2021 – Carlos Avila – ACL
- 2022 – Victor Rodrigues – Currently assigned to DSL LAD Bautista
- 2023 – Eduardo Quintero – Currently assigned to DSL LAD Bautista
There is one other Venezuelan catchers that was on the DSL rosters in 2022, and is still in the organization:
- Angel Diaz (2021) – DSL LAD Mega
My last year’s watch list:
2022 Bautista:
- Mairoshendrick Martinus – SS – Curacao (Martinus is viewed by some as the best infielder from Curacao since Ozzie Albies signed with the Atlanta Braves.) Assigned to LAD ACL
- Accimias Morales – RHP – Venezuela – Assigned to Rancho Cucamonga
- Oswaldo Osorio – SS – Venezuela – Assigned to LAD ACL
- Josue De Paula – OF – Dominican Republic – Assigned to Rancho Cucamonga
- Jeral Perez – SS – Dominican Republic – Assigned to LAD ACL
- Alexander Albertus – SS – Aruba – Assigned to DSL ACL Bautista
- Yuliangel de la Cruz – RHP – Dominican Republic – Assigned to DSL LAD Bautista
- Peter Bonilla – LHP – Spain – Assigned to DSL LAD Bautista
- Víctor Rodrigues – C – Venezuela – Assigned to DSL LAD Bautista
2022 Mega:
- Samuel Muñoz (MLB Pipeline #7) – Infielder – Dominican Republic – Assigned to LAD ACL
- Raynerd Ortega – SS – Venezuela – Assigned to DSL LAD Bautista
- Javier Pena – C – Dominican Republic – Assigned to DSL LAD Bautista
- Domingo Geronimo – RHP – Dominican Republic – Assigned to DSL LAD Bautista
- Luciano Romero – RHP – Venezuela – Assigned to DSL LAD Mega
- Eduardo Guerrero – SS – Venezuela – Assigned to DSL LAD Mega
Five of the above have been assigned to the Dodgers ACL roster, while two have been assigned to Full Season A League at Rancho Cucamonga. Just a guess, but I suspect that Samuel Muñoz will find his way to Rancho before too long. It will be very interesting to see where the three SS end up playing on the field…Mairoshendrick Martinus, Oswaldo Osorio, and Jeral Perez.
Game 1 – ACL and DSL
DSL Game 1 – Featured the two LAD DSL teams facing off against each other. 2023 IFL signees who started:
DSL LAD Bautista 4 – DSL LAD Mega 3 – 7 innings
Bautista:
- Joendry Vargas SS – 0-3, 1 BB
- Eduardo Quintero CF – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 RBI
- Harold Gonzalez DH – 1-3, 1 BB
- Jesus Tillero – Starting Pitcher – 2.0 perfect innings, 2 K
Mega:
- Elias Medina 3B – 0-3
- Daniel Mielcarek SS – 0-3
- Arnaldo Lantigua LF – 1-3, 1 RBI
- Eduardo Guerrero DH – 1-3
- Javier Herrera 2B – 0-2, 1 RBI
- Samuel Sanchez – Starting Pitcher – 1.1 IP, 3 Runs (all earned), 4 hits, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR
- Luis Carias – Relief Pitcher – 1.1 IP, 1 Run (earned), 2 hits, 2 BB, 1 K
The big hit of the day came from Yorfran Medina (1B) – 2-3, HR (1), 3 RBI.
ACL Dodgers 7 – ACL Giants Black 6
What a way for a Dodgers team to start the season. Down 6-3 to the ACL Giants Black going into the 8th, the Dodgers come all the way back and win in a walk off in the 9th with a Derlin Figueroa HR (1).
Jeral Perez opened the 8th with a HR (1). Luis Guerra followed with a BB and a singles by Mairoshendrick Martinus put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Oswaldo Osorio singled and Guerra scored with Martinus moving to 3rd, with Osorio being thrown out at 2nd. A WP scored Martinus for the tying run.
Reynaldo Yean and Guillermo Arvizo were the two top ACL LAD pitchers in this one. Both pitched a scoreless/hitless inning with 2 Ks.
- Wilman Diaz – 2-4
- Samuel Muñoz – 1-4, triple (1), 2 RBI
- Jose Meza – 2-4, double (1), 1 RBI
- Jerel Perez – 1-4, HR (1), 1 RBI
- Derlin Figueroa – 1-4, HR (1), 1 RBI
Incredible content. Bravo!
I mean what are we looking for at this level? Just skill development (play time? OPS improvement??)
Specific attributes (secondary pitched, K rates? Hitting off-speed? Fb speed?)
is stat scouting enough? Or should we wait for feedback from the Keith Laws of the world?
Help me Obi Jeff, your my only hope
K/BB Rate is always a good number to watch. Both pitching and hitting.
There has been no current film thus far that I have access to at DSL or ACL. So, yes, we need to get feedback from Ben Badler (DSL), Kyle Glaser, and Carlos Collazo, Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callas, Eric Logenhagen, Kiley McDaniel, The Baseball Prospectus crew, and of course, Keith Law. I try to read as much of the scouting reports I can find, and if there is film, I try to look at it. Some publications rely a lot on metrics, while others rely on old fashioned scouting. Baseball America (Badler, Glazer, Collazo) and MLP Pipeline (Mayo and Callas) are more of the latter. Baseball Prospectus is more metrics, as they are more of a fantasy source, but they do pour over the prospects for their futures which is big in fantasy leagues. Logenhagen, McDaniel, and Law, are generally more of a cross in between. A little of this and a little of that. But they are all knowledgeable. And they do make mistakes, especially with the teenage crowd.
I think the biggest mistake fans make is that they glom onto what LAD personnel (or their favorite team) and beat columnists say and write, and think their word is gospel. Do the research as to how the scouting grades are determined (not that they are always accurate), but they will identify those that have the requisite skills, but not necessarily the drive, confidence, baseball IQ, desire, or any other internal factor.
If pitchers only have one plus pitch and one average to above average pitch, they are going to be relievers. Can they develop one along the way? Of course. Can control and command be taught? Yes. Do some teams do it better than others? Yes. But do not make the mistake in believing that the Dodgers are the only organization that can develop pitchers. Cleveland and Houston do an outstanding job in that regard.
Listen to the negatives as well as the positives. For instance, right now Dalton Rushing is looked upon as a potential catcher to perhaps open Cartaya up in a trade scenario. If you do the research, you will find that he is not a very good catcher right now. He has a ML bat projection, but will probably need to be moved to a corner position to become a regular in a lineup.
Miguel Vargas has always had good to great bat to ball skills, but many publications (FanGraphs until this year) who were down on him, because he was more destined for a 1B role, and he did not have the bat for it. They were measuring his exit velos, and did not think he would ever become the hitter necessary for 1B. Give the Dodgers credit. They also believed he was not going to be a good defensive 3B (a lot because of an inaccurate arm), but maybe 2B. While he is graded as one of the worst defensive 2B, the Dodgers are hopeful that he will get those bat to ball skills developed at a positive ML OPS+ level.
I will read everything I get my hands on, and report it if it is from a credible source by my standards (See the names above). But I will not sugar coat it. If there are negatives, I will report on those as well. There are enough sites that only talk about the positives and ignore the negatives.
I like many others touted Wilman Diaz. I have been disappointed. But this could be the year. I heard from sources that Kody Hoese’s bat was slow. I watched film, and came to the same conclusion. I made the comment, and was roundly criticized by someone near and dear to us, stating that I did not know what I was talking about. You know the guy who never makes mistakes with prospects.
Too long I know.
Not too long for me. These days when I read I look for two things – does it make me laugh, or does it help me learn something. Your stuff makes me feel smarter, though again I would probably flunk a test.
As for eye test or metrics, I’m a metrics guy now. Don’t see anybody, only the occasional film, but read metrics all the time. I look at it as scientific evidence.
Don’t get me wrong. I like metrics. I quote them all the time. I am a big fan of FanGraphs and Statcast. But that tells you what the player is doing, not why he may be doing it wrong. The eyes can see where the arm slot is. Video can tell whether the hitter is in the same stance (hands and feet) or swing mechanics. The computer can tell you what the spin rate is, but it will take the eye to tell whether the grip is correct. Is Marty Lamb more valuable in determining the value of a amateur prospect by observation, or should he just look at the metrics? Who would have a better amateur draft, a team that has scouts, and cross checkers across the country, or a room full of computer geeks?
Metrics told us that Michael Grove was not performing at his 2nd round level of expectations. But it took the development guys to see him on the mound and then tell him to go to short and make the throws. They saw that he needed to drop his arm slot a bit. And he suddenly became a pitcher.
The eye told me that Tayler Scott should have stayed in on Friday against NYY, and not bring in Victor Gonzalez because the metrics said so. I think this is the biggest mistake Dave Roberts makes in the playoffs.
They are best used in tandem, but when you actually see something working, don’t overthink it. Your eyes, and baseball gut, are often correct.
Geez, if the coaches can’t see all that they should be fired.
That is a lot of in depth detail. Hope there isn’t a test.
Times article this morning on how bad the bullpen is. Ranked 26th. Is that better than the starters? Yeah, probably.
I wonder if Cincinnati is jacked up to play us. Yeah, probably.
Wow Jeff. That’s an amazing amount of content to digest. There can’t be anyone more thorough in informing a fan base of every prospect their team has in their pipeline. I mean, talk about going deep on research. Like Badger I’m thankful for no test. The amount of staff and support these players have available to them at this stage of the development ladder is crazy. That could be the reason the Dodgers are so successful with their development.
It looks like the infield, especially the SS position, has be emphasized recently by the front office as a spot that may need some depth in the organization.
I’m looking forward to this short road trip with Cincy and the Phils. With all the money the Mets and Phils spent this offseason I would think their fans aren’t very happy right now. Even with a four hit game yesterday, Trea Turner has a
.243/.286/.398/.684 line so far this season. Again, another example of a $300M contract that will probably be a $27M annual throw away in a 3-4 years. I was glad that AF passed on that signing. It would have been more validated if Lux had not gotten injured. I’m confident that Gavin could have exceeded TT current numbers. To have a player with TT’s speed with an OBP of less than .300 is not right. Oh well, not our problem.
Carry on.
Well it looks like the Reds have called up Elly De La Cruz just in time for the Dodgers series. I a looking forward to watching him at the MLB level. I watched a Louisville Bats game earlier this year just to watch him play. There was nothing significant where he impacted the game. He is a true five tool caliber player.
With De La Cruz at SS, Jonathan India at 2B, and Matt McLain at 3B the Reds will have a very formidable infield. Noelvi Marte, Cam Collier, and Edwin Arroyo are all infielders not too far behind, the Reds are set. Marte has been rumored to be a potential OF to take advantage of his bat sooner rather than later. He would take the Nick Senzel route. They also have ammunition to use in a trade package. It may not be this year, but they are getting very close to where trades will become a reality for them, and they will get quality in return.
Nick Robertson is finally getting his chance.
That explains the removal of Luke Williams from the 40-man yesterday.
Scott sent to OKC to make room for Robertson. He pitched well when they gave him a chance and was just a victim of numbers, I guess.
Personally, I would have sent Bazooka down so that he could learn how to throw to a base when picking up an infield dribbler.
Speak of players being optioned, the Jays optioned Manoah to the Florida Complex League today. I hope he re-discovers himself. He’s an interesting character.
I have been waiting for this day since he first arrived in Tulsa in 2021. He was a dark horse for me to make the 26 man last year. Alas, he had a horrible start to 2022, but bounced back fine at the end of the year at OKC, and has done extremely well this year at OKC. 25.1 IP, 2.13 ERA, 0.947 WHIP, 37 K, 7 BB (5.29 SO/BB), 1 HR (April 1 – his 1st game).
Nick has had 1 bad pitched game all season, April 29, where he allowed 5 hits and 4 runs (all earned) in 0.1 IP. Take out that game, and Nick’s ERA is .720 (2 earned runs in 25.0 IP) and his WHIP is .760. Yeah, he is deserving of a chance.
Welcome to LAD, Nick Robertson.
I saw that Manoah got sent down. It does make sense that he is going to Florida Complex League where most of their development guys are. He is a mountain of a man at 6’6″, 285 pounds. How much of it is mechanical and how much of it is psychological? He has lost his command and control. Control – 51 BB in 180 IP for 2022; 42 in 58 IP in 2023 (most in MLB). Command – .289/.408/.485/.893 – 39% increase in hard hit ball %, and almost double HR% (2% to 3.9%). He was an All Star in 2022 and was third in CY Award.
Dylan Cease (CWS) is also having a horrible year after coming in 2nd in CY vote last year. He is rumored to being a possible trade candidate. But with his FA year in 2026, he still has 2 years control, and he will cost.
In an all too NOT SURPRISING event – Jacob deGrom will be having his 2nd TJ surgery. He is out for 2023 and probably most if not all of 2024. Rangers overpaid for deGrom – 5 years $185MM. That is about a 23+ fWAR. Doesn’t look like he will get there. OTOH, they seem to be doing fine with Seager and Semien AND Bruce Bochy. Josh Jung has been a huge lift for that team. Heaney has pitched well for them. It is not a surprise that they are at the top of the AL West, but it is a surprise at just how good they are playing.
I’m gonna say it. 100 mph pitches. Stop it. You’re going to throw your arm out. Look around. 100 mph arms are dropping like 1’ putts. Keep it up, and you’re next.
Buehler and May. Back off 3-4 mph and learn how to put that pitch in the corner of the box. Also, learn the two seamer and a change and you might add 5 years to your career and $150 million to your bank account.
I was thinking the same thing. deGrom, Syndergaard, Buehler, May, Verlander, Stephen Strasburg, Kerry Wood. How did Randy Johnson, Nolan Ryan, and Felix Hernandez stay healthy for so long?
Little chocolate donuts
Just heard from an old friend. SLO Tim. He ain’t happy either.
This is our 2023 Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ooh, ooh, that smell,
Can’t you smell that smell.
Fraud Roberts