The Dominican Summer League regular season concludes for the two Phillies clubs on August 20th. The win/loss records this year aren’t as dominant as in the most recent years however Team White after a slow start has went 15-11 since July 4th.
The clubs are both on the younger side with multiple seventeen year olds and even a few sixteen year olds seeing significant time. I am posting a two part review on each club’s standouts as I’ve seen them, my reviews are never solely based on stats but rather upon the streaming feeds I’ve watched of DSL games, pitch data both from Phillies Minor Thoughts Matt Winkelman (he does a great job tracking info) along with what I’ve personally gathered and a review of the stats along with some input from coaches.
Here’s part one - pitchers. The second part will follow - position players.
Phillies Red :
LH Raymon Rosario - 19 years old - 6’2” 198 - signed 6/13/23 - Santiago, Dominican Republic - In his last three appearances has thrown twelve scoreless innings allowing eight hits and three walks - struck out nine batters. Throws a Fastball (89-93 mph), change-up, slider and curve. Comes from a three quarter slot, a lot a moving parts in his delivery, I’d like to see more compact approach but that’s just me 🤓. Has been a strike thrower this season (70%) in his 10 starts (39.2 IP) but struggled early with location, the last three starts have shown the results when he’s throwing quality strikes. Second season in DSL albeit limited to five appearances in 2023.
RH Eligio Arias - 21 years old - 6’7” 230 - signed 12/2/23 - Salcedo, Dominican Republic - Has posted 40 K’s in 28.2 IP - big arm - fastball - 93-96 mph, touched 97, change-up, slider and curve. Big fella who is a power pitcher - I’m sure efforts have been to make delivery more consistent as it seems release point wanes a bit - ball comes out quick including a hard slider. He needs to sharpen command - can be dominate yet also has been hit hard at times, a work in progress, has both started and relieved this year however last five appearances of eleven made have been out of the bullpen.
RH Darling Reyes - 19 years old - 6’1” 175 - signed 3/13/24 - Los Llanos, Dominican Republic - originally signed by the Miami Marlins on 1/15/23. Big arm - fastball has reached 97 mph, slider and curve. Has appeared in twelve games - all in relief - fits the mold as a power reliever - fastball/slider combination. Has a four game scoreless streak going covering seven inning in which he’s struck out eleven batters and issued just two walks.
RH Alexander De Los Santos - 17 years old - 6’1” 160 - signed 1/15/23 - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Fastball in the 88 to 93 mph range, touches 94 -95, curve and slider. Has pitched really well in his second DSL season appearing in ten games (nine starts) posting a 2.31 ERA in 35 IP - throws strikes at a 65 % clip however struggled with walks in June and July - has a four game scoreless streak going (15 IP) with three hits allowed, four walks and fourteen strikeouts. Lean build but just 17 so plenty of time to add muscle weight and grow into his body. Has compact and consistent delivery - slightly above 3/4 arm slot, good action on breaking pitches - is one to watch.
RH Pedro Peralta - 18 years old - 5’11” 185 - signed 1/15/23 - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - Big arm - 93-96 mph fastball, touches 98, curve. In his second DSL season - he’s a strikeout pitcher - 26 K’s in 22.2 IP - control and command has been an issue - 34 walks in 37.2 career IP. Stuff plays - if can harness the command is a stateside candidate. Comes over the top with his delivery - looks strong in his build.
RH Fernando Ramos - 21 years old - 6’0” 164 - signed 6/15/24 - Ciudad, Cuba. - left Cuba in August 2023 bound for the Dominican Republic, where he signed with the Phillies. When in Cuba he was a reliever in 25 games with a record of 5-3, 2.84 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 44.1 innings. Fastball - 90 to 93 mph - reaches 94-95, change up(splitter), cutter, slider. We’ve seen some dominant outings - has posted a 1.73 ERA in 11 DSL appearances (26 IP) with 22 K’s and 7 walks throwing strikes at a 78 % clip. Has a 0.85 WHIP and .174 BAA. Was outstanding in July - a 0.84 ERA in five outings (10.2 IP)
RH Brad Pacheco - 19 years old - 6’0” 175 - signed 5/18/23 - Bejuma, Venezuela. - did not pitch in 2023 - the early part of 2024 was spent in Clearwater working with the rehab team. He’s got a mid nineties fastball with ability to go higher - secondaries are a change up and slider. Could be a hidden gem. Has made four starts this season - didn’t allow a run in his last two covering seven innings. Overall he’s posted a 2.25 ERA in twelve innings of work with 17 K’s and just two walks. Comments from Pitching Coordinator Travis Hergert - “Tons of arm speed, live, riding fastball. Has feel for the change up and has made strides with his slider. He’s a very exciting prospect and our academy staff has done a nice job getting him back on the field after some offseason health setbacks.”
Phillies White :
RH Enderson Jean - 19 years old - 6’3” 175 - signed 3/12/23 - Mao, Dominican Republic - fastball 90-94 mph, slider and curve. Easy motion, hides the ball well, just above a 3/4 slot - brings from behind his ear, full arm swing without exaggeration. Gets really good break on curve, slider is sharp. Was named to the DSL National League All-Star team. Has great numbers - 1.71 ERA in 14 relief appearances - 21 IP - 27 K’s - too many walks with 19 - 58 % strike thrower. A .149 BAA is evident the stuff is quality.
RH Joel Heredia - 20 years old - 6’6” 190 - signed 7/29/22 - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - fastball 92-95 mph, has reached 97, change up, sweeping slider and curve. Has had a very effective season - in ten appearances (nine starts) has posted a 3.00 ERA in 39 IP with 28 K’s and 14 walks - throws strikes at a 73 % clip. Big frame with quality stuff with strong control/command - that should be worth a stateside ticket next spring.
RH Hanfermin Vargas - 19 years old - 6’3” 158 - signed 12/2/23 - Nizao, Dominican Republic - fastball 89-94 mph, slider and curve. Decent numbers in ten starts - 3.26 ERA (38.2 IP) with 26 K’s and 22 walks (needs to cut those down obviously), a .214 BAA and 63 % strike percentage. His first season as a pro - very lean young man - wide arm swing and release point. Has pitched six innings in two of his outings including his last one on 8/8 when he allowed just one earned run and walked only one batter. Looks like he’s a battler - gotta like that.
RH Julio Polanco - 17 years old - 6’3” 195 - signed 1/15/24 - San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic - fastball 90-92 mph, touches 94, change-up, curve. Switched to pitching after training initially as a third baseman in his amateur academy days. According to Baseball America “he shows feel for a slider that’s ahead of his changeup, but his secondaries and pitchability are still understandably a development focus given his lack of time on the mound.” Has made ten appearances (nine starts) posting a 61 % strike ratio. Has a powerful build, still learning how to pitch. Results and numbers don’t stand out to date but as he progresses that may reverse - work in progress.
Another to Note :
Seventeen year old LH Angel Liranzo impressed last season in the DSL but has spent the majority of this season in Clearwater with the rehab team - he recently made a one inning appearance on Friday in a Bridge League game. Coach Hergert remarked last summer that “Liranzo has a Ranger Suarez type delivery and build. Fills up the strike zone with three to four pitches. Change up is solid. Exciting young arm.” Lower level minor league pitching coordinator Victor Diaz stated last summer that Liranzo is a “young arm with pitch ability, fastball up to 91 mph. Has been impressive.” I’ve seen him in a live BP session - velocity is as described - attacks the zone - perhaps a name to keep an eye on.
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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