Phillies: Dominican League players not fairing well
Outside of one player, the Phillies prospects aren’t seeing success in the Dominican Winter League.
Phillies prospects are scattered across the globe preparing for spring training in Clearwater, Florida next month. Many have traveled down to the Dominican Republic to play in the winter league.
Unfortunately for nearly all of the players representing Philadelphia in the Dominican Republic, the success hasn’t been wide spread.
Ranfi Casimiro is practically perfect in his first two relief appearances, allowing just one hit in two innings. Signed by the organization as a teenager Casimiro started last season in Clearwater and worked his way up to Reading, spotting a 3.57 ERA in four starts and 16 relief appearances.
Philadelphia Phillies
Twenty-year-old pitcher Edgar Garcia hasn’t seen as much success in the Dominican Leauge with an 8.53 ERA in seven games. Allowing seven runs in six innings Garcia is still ways away from being an impact pitcher beyond Lakewood.
Catcher Logan Moore, who recently signed a minor league deal to remain in the Phillies organization, plays with Garcia and has seen limited success. Moore is hitting .148 with Estrellas Orientales with only one extra-base hit.
Gigantes del Cibao is stocked with players connected to Philadelphia, including former relievers Antonio Bastardo and Raul Valdes. Pitching prospect Seranthony Dominguez is 1-0 in seven relief appearances with a 4.91 ERA, certainly not what the Phillies wanted to see from their 30th overall prospect.
Heiker Meneses recently signed a minor league deal with Philadelphia, and it’s likely because of his performance in the Dominican Republic. Meneses is hitting .283 with a .725 OPS and 11 extra-base hits.
Maikel Franco was also with Gigantes del Cibao, but never recorded an at-bat before being sent home for being out at the bars.
After immense success with the IronPigs, last season the team retained veteran reliever Pedro Beato. Success hasn’t carried over for Beato with the Tigres del Licey with a 7.20 ERA in six innings of relief.
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While Odubel Herrera isn’t playing for Toros del Este infield prospect Malquin Canelo is as he looks to bounce back after a .226 batting average with Reading. Like Franco, Canelo hasn’t made an appearance in the Dominican League.