Dominican Summer League Dodgers: Pitchers

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Same awesome picture, this time with actual athletes!

Today, I will continue the 2011 season reviews for the Dodgers minor league affiliates, now with the hitters of the Dominican Summer League Dodgers.

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It’s worth noting that I’ll be picking the prospects for the 2012 Prospective Prospect Profiles list from these reviews, so it might be worth reading. Or not.

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Webster Rivas – C – 20

Webster Rivas Statistics

Rivas took steps forward in 2011, more than doubling his walk rate (5.0%|11.1%) and upping his wOBA from .329 to .363. Additionally, he continued his strong defensive performance, throwing out 49% of runners, up from 46% of runners last year.

On the basis of his 2011 and at his current age, the Dodgers essentially have to move him to America if they even think of him as future organizational depth.

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Josmar Cordero – C – 19

Josmar Cordero Statistics

Another catcher who showed progress in 2011, Cordero upped his wOBA from .340 to .385, bettered his walk rate (6.8%|7.1%), reduced his strikeout rate (13.6%|12.8%), and increased his ISO (.131/.138). The peripheral improvements are marginal, but still promising nonetheless.

At this level, scouting reports are what actually matter, but they’re unfortunately extremely rare to find, and casual observers such as myself have no way of obtaining video on them. Luckily, in the case of Cordero, Baseball America reported that he has good catch and throw skills (48%/39% CS) and solid power.

I would think this means the Dodgers will be on pace to move him to America in 2012.

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Leo Rodriguez – SS – 19

Leo Rodriguez Statistics

On the surface, Rodriguez took a step back in 2011, with his wOBA falling from .366 to .344, but he actually continued his progress. For one, he moved from a primary second baseman to a primary shortstop, and for another, he basically sustained his peripherals while facing a larger sample size (161/239 PA).

While his walk rate dropped (10.6%|8.8%), so did his strikeout rate (13.0%|9.6%), and his ISO almost doubled (.029/.057). As such, he ends 2011 as a solid candidate to move to America in 2012.

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Melvin Santana – 2B – 19

Melvin Santana Statistics

Yet another older Dominican Summer League product making his professional debut for the Dodgers, Santana made it count, putting up a .354 wOBA with a 10.9% walk rate, 12.2% strikeout rate, and a .099 ISO.

Moreover, he stole 10 bases and was caught 3 times, which makes me speculate that perhaps his .283 BABIP was a bit low considering his projected speed and the defense of the league.

I’m guessing he finds himself back in the DSL for 2012.

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Gregory Pena – OF – 19

Gregory Pena Statistics

Born in New York, New York, he wasn’t in the MLB draft, and the Dodgers signed him as an international free agent prior to 2010.

In 2010, he struggled a bit, posting a .317 wOBA and .028 ISO. He struck out at a marginally high rate (17.9%), but mitigated that a bit with solid plate discipline (11.5%) and good speed (14/19 SB/SBA).

2011 was a different story though, as it was a year that marked significant growth. Pena posted a .425 wOBA and his ISO jumped to .138, all while maintaining his walk rate (10.6%) and reducing strikeouts (14.2%). Oh and the speed took an uptick as well, swiping 23 bases in 29 attempts.

Pena was undoubtedly the best hitting prospect for the Dominican Summer League Dodgers, and he capped his season by being awarded the August version of the Dodger Pride Awards. I assume he will be given a shot in America in 2012, as I’m not sure what else he could do in this league.

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Arce Rodriguez – LF – 18

Arce Rodriguez Statistics

At 17, Rodriguez was terrible in the DSL, posting a .255 wOBA, walking just 1.9% of the time, and striking out 20.8% of the time while putting up no power (0 HR/.042 ISO).

At 18 though, he showed the progress that you want at this level, walking 6.2% of the time and reducing strikeouts (19.6%). Perhaps most importantly for his position though, he started mashing more, bombing 4 homers and almost tripling his ISO (.124). Unsurprisingly, this led to a 116 point increase in wOBA, up to .371.

He’s still young, so unless the Dodgers see him as a legitimate prospect, I’m not sure they move him to America, but we’ll see.

Do you like the picture? I hope so, because the Dominican Summer League doesn’t have a picture big enough.

Today, I will kick off the 2011 season reviews for the Dodgers minor league affiliates, and I’ll start at the bottom of the food chain with the pitchers of the Dominican Summer League Dodgers.

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It’s worth noting that I’ll be picking the prospects for the 2012 Prospective Prospect Profiles list from these reviews, so it might be worth reading. Or not.

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Victor Araujo – RHP – 21

Victor Araujo Statistics

After putting up solid numbers in 2010 over 14.2 innings in 8 relief appearances, with a 2.45 ERA/2.25 FIP and a 19/6 K/BB rate, Araujo made the transition to starting in 2011.

Over the course of the season, he started 11 games and relieved in 2, running up 60.0 innings in total. His ERA dropped to 1.80, and he sustained a solid 2.87 FIP along with a 61/13 K/BB rate.

In August, he won in the Dodger Pride Awards, so the organization is taking note of his performance, but at 22 next year, where they place him to start the season should give a clear indication on whether he’ll have even the smallest of impacts.

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Jose Agusto Diaz – RHP – 20

Jose Agusto Diaz Statistics

In his professional debut, Diaz pitched in 19 games and finished 10 of them, putting up a miniscule 0.67 ERA with a solid 3.05 FIP. In 27.0 innings, he struck out 23 and walked 11, and while he probably should be missing more bats to be a prospect, his sheer performance was notable. At the very least, it should be interesting to see where the Dodgers put him next year.

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Jonathan Martinez – RHP – 17

Jonathan Martinez Statistics

At such a young age, Martinez has a lot of time, but he hasn’t wasted any of it, getting his professional career off to a flying start. In primarily a relief role (2 GS/12 G), he pitched 32.1 innings of 1.67 ERA/2.98 FIP ball, including a 31/12 K/BB rate.

I’m guessing the Dodgers leave him in the DSL for another year unless they see him as a significant prospect, but he should be one to follow.

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Jackson Mateo – RHP – 18

Jackson Mateo Statistics

Appearing in 17 games and 22.0 innings in 2010, Mateo put up a 1.23 ERA and 3.06 FIP in his professional debut.

For 2011, he converted to a starting role and did not disappoint. In 15 games, he threw 72.1 innings of 1.62 ERA and 3.32 FIP ball with a 52/18 K/BB ratio. Furthermore, Mateo was the June recipient of the Dodger Pride Awards.

I figure the Dodgers almost have to move him to the AZL in 2012, as he has little to prove in the DSL, handling the role switch without a hitch. However, I have no idea what the developmental plan is with him, as far as adaptability and what not, so his assignment next year should say a lot.

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Miguel Sulbaran – LHP – 17

Miguel Sulbaran Statistics

Considering his age, handedness, experience, and performance, this might be the most impressive player on the list. In his professional debut, all Sulbaran did was throw 57.2 innings of 2.81 ERA/2.89 FIP ball over 13 appearances with 11 starts, and post a 52/18 K/BB rate.

Essentially, he has hit all the benchmarks that you would want to see out of a player in the DSL. The unknown factor is how ready he is for a transition to America, so a repeat isn’t out of the question. Additionally, he checks in at 5’10″ and 165 pounds, so the Dodgers might wait for him to mature further. Regardless, he’s off to a great start and should be on everybody’s radar.

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Abdiel Velasquez – RHP – 18

Abdiel Velasquez Statistics

After putting up a 2.53 ERA and 4.39 FIP in his professional debut last year, Velasquez started 6 more games and pitched 14.2 more innings in 2011.

Over 46.2 innings, he put up a 4.05 ERA and 4.08 FIP with a 38/18 K/BB rate, so despite the ERA spike, he actually took a step forward in development.

Where he lands in 2012 is anybody’s guess, but he seems like a decent candidate for the AZL.

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Luis Silverio – LHP – 20

Luis Silverio Statistics

Silverio is already 20, and in 17 relief appearances over 23 innings, he posted a terrible 7.04 ERA.

So why is he here?

Because he’s 6’3″, 190 pounds, and according to Baseball America, he throws 87-89 MPH with a curve and a cutter and has projection.

Furthermore, his 4.68 FIP reflects some bad luck, and his 24/21 K/BB ratio shows that if he can get his control down, he misses more than enough bats to qualify as a player to watch.

Granted, he’s old, so he’ll have to harness his stuff and cash in on that promise of projection soon, but if he does, there are always possibilities for big lefty pitchers.