After a long baseball season, Philadelphia Phillies prospects and minor leaguers are now scattered. Some are at home, while others continue playing, whether it's in the Arizona Fall League or elsewhere like Australia or the Dominican Republic. Phillies minor leaguer Rafael Lantigua is one of those players and just joined the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM).
Lantigua, who just completed his first season in the Phillies organization, made his 2025 LIDOM debut this past weekend and quickly made his presence felt. Suiting up for the Toros del Este for the third straight winter, the 27-year-old infielder announced his arrival with a two-run home run in the seventh inning on Sunday.
The blast extended the Toros' lead to 5-1 over the Estrellas Orientales. Lantigua finished his first game of the winter going 1-for-3 with the two RBIs and a walk.
¡Jonrón de Rafael Lantigua!
— LIDOM (@LIDOMRD) November 2, 2025
2 carreras impulsadas que amplían la ventaja de los @TorosdelEste #LIDOM #CopaBanreservas pic.twitter.com/gqxtbOFsnp
Phillies minor leaguer Rafael Lantigua not known for power despite display in Dominican Winter League
If the name sounds vaguely familiar, Lantigua was called up by the Phillies in mid-September when Edmundo Sosa went on the injured list. He briefly joined the Phillies during their road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers but never saw game action despite being able to play second base, third and shortstop. He was only up for three days before being optioned back to Triple-A.
Lantigua signed a minor league deal with the Phillies last November after spending eight years in the Toronto Blue Jays system. Ironically, he isn't necessarily known for his power.
He slashed .230/.356/.330 with just seven home runs in 125 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year. He drove in 56 while scoring 82 runs and stealing 17 bags for the IronPigs. His career high in home runs came in 2023 when he hit 12 in 129 games for Toronto's Triple-A team.
Other notable Phillies who are playing in LIDOM this year include prospect Felix Reyes and outfielder Johan Rojas.
Reyes, one of the Phillies' rising prospects, joins Lantigua on the Toros roster. Reyes had an epic season in the Double-A Reading this year. He got off to a hot start to his winter league season as well, going 2-for-4 and hitting his first LIDOM homer on Saturday.
One year after setting an impressive stolen base record, Rojas is off to a torrid start for the Gigantes del Cibao. He is slashing .429/.529/.714 with a home run, a double, four RBIs and one steal through five games.