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Dominican Republic Top Ten July 2nd Prospects

By Blake Bentley | May 28, 2010 at 9:45am CDT

After spending the last four months in the Dominican Republic attending numerous tryouts and speaking with MLB executives and scouts, I have compiled a top ten list for this year's July 2nd class.  These rankings provide a reflection of the industry's perspective.  Before we delve into the top ten, here's a brief explanation about the Latin American market. 

Scouting Latin Americans is starkly different than scouting players for the MLB amateur draft in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Since the vast majority of Dominican prospects do not play in organized leagues, teams frequently host private tryouts at their respective complexes to judge these players.  The goal of these workouts is to showcase and evaluate the players' five tools.  A typical tryout consists of running the 60 (speed), throwing and fielding from their position (arm and defense), a few rounds of batting practice (bat and power), and maybe a simulated or live game.  These workouts usually last for less than half a day and players can easily be evaluated incorrectly with a stronger or weaker-than-usual showing. Sometimes prospects are invited to stay and work out with the team for up to a month, but the highest-profile players are usually in too high demand to stay in one place for more than a day or two.

Because there is no draft in the international market, every player is a free agent. Mix identity issues with six or seven-figure bonuses, and rumors and name changes abound.  My goal is to deliver accurate information on the top Dominican players for July 2nd, with more detail to come.

1. Vicmal De La Cruz, OF.  Has the best toolset of any player in this class. Upside as high as anyone.

2. Martin Steylon Peguero, SS.  Hands down the best shortstop of this year's class.

3. Ariel Ovando, OF. – When two different scouts drop Darryl Strawberry comps, you take notice.

4. Phillips Castillo, OF.  This outfielder is a lock for seven figures.

5. Wilmer Romero, OF.  Still a bit of an unknown, but has the potential to move up on this list.

6. Eskarlin Vazquez, OF.  Perhaps the most publicized player in this year's class. At 6'3", Vazquez has a projectable frame with good pop.

7. Jorge Feliz, RHP.  A 92 mph fastball and feel for a curve earns him the highest pitcher’s spot.

8. Alberto Triunfel, SS.  Little brother to Carlos Triunfel, Alberto also has Scott Boras as his agent.

9. Elvis Sanchez, 3B.  His body has improved tremendously over the past year, allowing the possibility of sticking at third base for the long haul.  If he continues to show off-the-charts power, it may be irrelevant.

T-10. Edwin Moreno, OF.  Left-handed outfielder with pop and a strong body.

T-10. Luis Abad, RHP.  Hitting 92 mph and weighing 160 pounds soaking wet, the 6'3" Abad is one of the most projectable pitchers you'll see.

T-10. Javier Pimentel, SS.  A wide-shouldered shortstop with a solid bat and plenty of room for improvement.

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  1. bigpat

    11 years ago

    Interesting stuff! Hopefully the Pirates will sign at least one of these guys.

    Like
    Reply
    • Justin P

      11 years ago

      Vicmal De La Cruz is seen wearing Pirates gear see this video:

      youtube.com/watch?v=r-SL7vWDvEk

      Like
      Reply
      • bigpat

        11 years ago

        That’s pretty awesome. He seems in touch with American culture already, he still has the new era sticker on his hat, lol.

        Like
        Reply
      • Maverick60

        10 years ago

        How do he Pirates attract any of these types of players? Why doesnt another team start a smear campaign against them by informing these kids that the Pirates have not put even a decent team on a field since well before some of them were born? It would only take showing them the season standings from 93 – to current. I feel like they are being suckered by the Pirates, even more than the rest of us.

        Like
        Reply
  2. 55saveslives

    11 years ago

    From a previous MLBtraderumors thread…

    mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/05/17/two-dozen-internationa…

    Eskralin Vasquez would be a nice pick up. OF with power…what a concept :)

    Like
    Reply
  3. GeronimoJansen

    11 years ago

    Darryl Strawberry he’s a 5-tool player comps, or Darryl Strawberry he’s on crack comps?

    Like
    Reply
    • damnitsderek

      11 years ago

      Both!

      Like
      Reply
  4. Garafraxaguy

    11 years ago

    Anyone know which teams these prospects have been linked to?

    Like
    Reply
  5. Yankees420

    11 years ago

    The Yankees should use their financial prowess and grab an OF prospect or two, maybe even a SS to start looking for Jeter’s heir.

    Like
    Reply
    • bj82

      11 years ago

      Yeah the Yanks need to sign something more than the best Latin catchers. I really wanted them to sign Sano.

      Like
      Reply
    • oleosmirf

      11 years ago

      why dont the Yankees just sign all 10?

      Like
      Reply
      • Yankees420

        11 years ago

        Haha, you assume that because I’m a Yankee fan I must have a misplaced sense of entitlement to every player/prospect in the game….how cute.

        Like
        Reply
      • Yankees420

        11 years ago

        Haha, you assume that because I’m a Yankee fan I must have a misplaced sense of entitlement to every player/prospect in the game….how cute.

        Like
        Reply
    • oleosmirf

      11 years ago

      why dont the Yankees just sign all 10?

      Like
      Reply
  6. jwredsox

    11 years ago

    I wouldn’t mind the Sox going after 1 or 2 high upside projects. Can never have too many minor leaguers

    Like
    Reply
  7. souldrummer

    11 years ago

    For all the hoopla about the Nationals getting better, they have been awful in the international market. They talk about how they’re recovering since the Smiley fiasco that cost Jim Bowden his job, but unless they start sticking their necks out to get some of these guys, they are not marshalling their resources effectively.

    Like
    Reply
  8. diehardmets

    11 years ago

    Mets should look at the SS prospects to maybe move to 2B. Another good OF would be nice too. And definately look into a pitcher.

    Like
    Reply
  9. Pseudonymus Bosch

    11 years ago

    I’m curious about the author of this post. Who is Blake Bentley and where did he get the finances to spend four months scouting guys in the DR, unless he is a scout and/or baseball professional, in which case – what’s his day job?

    Like
    Reply
    • Rev or just monaco

      10 years ago

      hes a scouting coordinator in the DR for the Toronto Blue Jays. He also worked for the Gwinnett Braves

      Like
      Reply
  10. Brian

    10 years ago

    Any chance this is Blake Bentley from Matewan??

    Like
    Reply
  11. Brian

    10 years ago

    Any chance this is Blake Bentley from Matewan??

    Like
    Reply

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