8/3/25 : Reviewing the DSL

The Dominican Summer League regular season concludes for the two Phillies clubs on August 19th. The win/loss records this year are lacking - Phillies Red 20-24, Phillies White 13-30 - however the teams are both on the young side of the ledger in comparison to the balance of the league.  The league average age for position players is 17.7 (Phillies Red is 17.5, Phillies White 17.2) and for pitchers 18.5 (Phillies Red is 18.2, Phillies White 18.8). Of the eighteen position players who’ve seen action this year for Phillies Red ten are seventeen year olds and eight are eighteen year olds - twenty pitchers have taken the mound for them - one sixteen year old, three seventeen year olds, seven eighteen year olds, six nineteen year olds and three twenty year olds.  For Phillies White sixteen position players have played - twelve current seventeen year olds and four eighteen year olds - there has been twenty-one pitchers for team white - two seventeen year olds, nine eighteen year olds, five nineteen year olds, four twenty year olds and one twenty-two year old.

Here’s a look at a few standout players :

Phillies Red  :

Position Players :

Catcher Anderson Araujo - 17 years old - RH hitter and thrower - 5’11” 177 - signed 1/15/25 - Barquisimeto, Venezuela

Considered by many to be amongst the top three Phillies position player prospects this year at the Dominican Academy he had a breakout and outstanding month of July (player of the month worthy) - in 16 games posted a .373/.431/.814 slash line and 1.245 OPS in 65 Plate Appearances with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs, 15 RBIs, 5 walks, 4 stolen bases and 17 runs scored - 48 total bases. For the season he’s posted a .286/.377/.548 slash line with a .925 OPS in 36 games (146 PA’s) with 29 runs scored, 8 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs and 25 RBIs - he’s stolen 10 bases in 14 attempts and has 16 walks against 29 strikeouts. Defensively Anderson has played 19 games at first base and 16 behind the dish where he’s thrown out 13 of 51 base stealers (25%) and has a .994 fielding percentage with one error and four passed balls. He was selected to the DSL All-Star game as a member of the National League squad.  Wasn’t a big bonus signee but has earned  2026 stateside assignment consideration.

Catcher Anderson Navas  - 18 years old - RH hitter and thrower - 6’4” 180  - signed 1/15/24  - El Tigre, Venezuela

Another catcher who’s considered by many as a top three Phillies position player prospect at the Dominican Academy this year - he’s had a much better offensive showing this season as compared to last. Navas has an outstanding throwing arm - in the 15 games he has caught this summer he’s thrown out 8 of 33 runners (24%) and has a two year rate of 23% (28 of 121). He’s a noticeable presence when I watch the game videos both at catcher and as a hitter - big frame that’s angular and athletic. He’s split the catching duties with Araujo this year and has played 16 games at first base as well. Last season he hit just .181 in 166 AB’s but this year has a respectable .258 average in 128 AB’s - he’s a power bat who’s driven 9 doubles, 2 triples and 3 home runs with 16 RBIs - doesn’t walk much (6 BB) but the old adage is you can’t walk off the island 🤓.  It’s easy to project that more power will come as he fills out his tall frame. Was a six figure bonus signing (reportedly $250K) who’s shown himself to be very coachable - should also garner 2026 stateside assignment consideration.

Outfielder Eduardo Guillen - 17 years old - LH hitter and thrower - 5’11” 182 - signed 1/15/25 - Havana, Cuba

When he signed for $60K it was noted that the strength of his game were his quick hands, ability to drive the baseball and speed from the left side of the plate. In his initial year of pro ball he’s shown glimpses of all of that - a .236 batting average doesn’t reflect the skillset but his .352 OBP is a better indication - in 125 plate appearances he’s posted 5 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs and 10 RBIs along with 15 stolen bases in 19 attempts. Defensively he’s played all three outfield positions (mostly LF) and first base. Defense is not his strong suit but with continued hard work and more offensive prowess can certainly project as a stateside left fielder. Might require another year in the DSL beyond this one but has skills that could eventually bring him to Clearwater.

3B Domingo Moria - 17 years old - RH hitter and thrower - 6’1” 200 - signed 1/15/25 - San Cristobal, Dominican Republic

The surface numbers are not good (.171/.243/.293 in 136 PA’s) but there’s something about this young player that intrigues me - perhaps I’m not the only one 🧐 - his ability to drive the baseball and produce runs. Of his 21 hits nine are for extra bases (6 doubles and 3 home runs) and he’s driven in 18 runs while scoring 16 -  strikeouts (43) are his pitfall and it will be a significant development pursuit to cut them back but the frame and power that we’ve seen in glimpses are certainly things to build on - defense has also been a struggle (13 errors) but again he’s just 17 years old. Just sayin - sometimes it takes a little time to develop but he has the tools to do so in my opinion.

Note that 18 year old outfielder Josueth Quinonez who was traded to the Tigers on 7/31/25 was considered one of the top five Phillies position player prospects at the Dominican Academy this season - we wish him well with the Detroit organization.

Pitchers :

RH Deiry Gonzalez - 17 years old - 6’1” 172 - signed 1/15/25 - San Cristobal, Dominican Republic

Along with recently traded RH Geremy Viloria (sent to Twins 7/31 as part of the Harrison Bader acquisition) Gonzalez is considered by many as one of the two top Phillies pitching prospects at the Dominican Academy this year. In eight starts he’s posted a 1.06 ERA in 34 IP with 31 K’s and 5 walks, a WHIP of 0.88. His K/BB ratio is a very strong 6.2. According to Matt Winkleman’s (Phillies Minor Thoughts) pitch data tracker (thank you Matt for the excellent work) he’s generally in the 90-92 range with his fastball and has also shown a slider, change up and curve. He had an outstanding month of June - in three starts he posted a 0.00 ERA in 13 IP with 13 K’s and 1 BB - a .196 BAA and 0.77 WHIP. Has a tall frame with room to add strength so at least theoretically can add more velocity as well.  Will likely get consideration for 2026 stateside assignment. Was selected to the 2025 DSL All-Star game representing the National League.

LH Yordanis Guerra - 18 years old - 6’3” 210 - signed 1/15/25 - San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic

The lefty has carved out a nice roll in his first pro season pitching extended innings in relief - he’s appeared in ten games (26.2 IP) making one start and generally pitches three or four innings.  Had a stellar month of July posting a 0.69 ERA in four games (13 IP) with 11 K’s and 5 walks and has continued his hot streak by throwing three scoreless frames on 8/2. For the season he’s posted a 2.70 ERA with 25 K’s and 11 BB. Generally in the 90 to 92 mph range with his fastball and has three off-speed deliveries (slider, change-up and curve).

Heat 🔥 out of control  :

Just a note that RHP Rene Yrish (18 years old) - signed 1/15/24 - San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic - has thrown the baseball consistently in the 96 to 99 mph range and has even registered triple digits however he’s had great difficulties throwing strikes (27 BB and 4 HB in 12.2 IP) - has a terrible ERA of 19.18 but you can’t teach 100 mph - likely will get a long leash to see if can figure it out mechanically and mentally to garner command.

Phillies White  :

Position Players :

Shortstop Romeli Espinosa - 17 years old - RH hitter and thrower - 6’4” 169 - signed 1/15/25 - Tamayo, Dominican Republic

A tall slender young man who’s considered by many as one of the top three Phillies position player prospects at the Dominican Academy this season. He reportedly received a $250K signing bonus and is noted for his athleticism, tools and physical upside. Is a plus runner who possesses a very strong arm who is more than capable of staying at the shortstop position throughout his career - has had some struggles defensively thus far with 13 errors but is also very young with a willingness to learn having just turned 17 on 6/5/25. He’s shown a power bat with 5 doubles, 3 triples and 2 home runs in 129 plate appearances along with producing a respectable slash line of .270/.349/.417 and a .766 OPS. Had an outstanding month of June hitting .323/.364/.419 with a .783 OPS in 16 games (62 AB’s). Can get long in his swing and tends to get heavy on the back leg which is reflected in 26 K’s, also will have to learn more plate patience as has only walked 8 times but has also shown that he can be a run producer (has 10 RBIs and scored 24 runs). There’s both a current and projectable tool set and a big frame to work with in the weight room that indicates that he will eventually come stateside and have an opportunity to climb the ladder, might just be as soon as next season. Was selected to the 2025 DSL All-Star game representing the National League.

Outfielder Dayber Cruceta - 17 years old - LH hitter and thrower - 6’1” 147 - signed 1/15/25 - Sabaneta, Dominican Republic

He’s a patient hitter who’s known for his strike-zone judgment as evidenced by 27 walks in 135 plate appearances and a .430 OBP. Has scored 18 runs and knocked in 14 - of his 26 hits five are doubles and one is a triple - 11 stolen bases in 14 attempts. Defensively has played 16 games in center field and 15 in right field with an overall .976 fielding percentage - has decent wheels who likely projects as a center fielder. Is a candidate for stateside promotion next spring. Reportedly received a $300 K signing bonus.

Pitchers :

RH Pedro Peralta - 19 years old - 5’11” 185 - signed 1/15/23 - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

In his third DSL season - has “big arm” stuff - generally - 93-96 mph fastball, has touched 98 in prior years - slider, change up and curve as secondaries. Comes over the top with his delivery. In nine starts this season has posted a 3.34 ERA in 35 IP with 25 K’s but also 24 BB. It’s his best season to date however command and consistency in throwing strikes is what’s held him back.

RH Albertt Medina - 17 years old - 6’1” 162 - signed 1/20/25 - Caracas, Venezuela

Has pitched exclusively out of the bullpen with 12 appearances (22 IP) posting a 2.45 ERA with 15 K’s and 7 walks - pitches to contact - fastball generally 90 to 91 mph with a change up and curve ball. Had an outstanding month of June with a 0.71 ERA in 12.2 IP and a 0.79 WHIP and .163 BAA showing a glimpse of what he can do. Just turned 17 on 6/3/25 - likely returns to DSL in 2026 given his young age.

RH Joshue De La Cruz - 19 years old - 6’2” 193 - signed 12/5/23 - Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

In his second season of DSL play - posted a 4.54 ERA in 6 games (23.1 IP) last season - has a much better 2.35 ERA in 7 games (6 starts) this season in 23 IP with 17 K’s and 11 walks - June was a standout month - 0.79 ERA in three games (11.1 IP) and an 0.88 WHIP. Fastball is in the 91-94 mph range with a slider, curve and change up as secondaries. Has put himself in position for consideration towards stateside promotion in 2026.

Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️

2025 DSL All-Stars  Anderson Araujo, Deiry Gonzalez and Romeli Espinosa

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