As we typically do with the DSL guys, let’s review last year’s selections before discussing this year’s:
Wilmer Perez
2017: .313/.382/.464, .977 (C), +.055
2018: .310/.345/.400, .960 (C), +.015 (GCL)
2018: .476/.577/.619, 1.000 (C), +.129 (NYPL, 6G)
Adrian Liriano
2017: .237/.358/.325, .938 (2B), +.009
2018: DNP
Landerson Pena
2017: .261/.337/.369, 1.000 (RF), +.011
2018: .187/.267/.280, .980 (RF), -.050
Luis Aquino
2017: .270/.330/.365, .967 (LF), +.007
2018: .171/.250/.171, 959 (CF), -.085
Caldioli Sanfler
2017: .237/.348/.321, .984 (SS), +.004
2018: .221/.284/.302, .978 (CF), -.037
Wilmer Perez is the only hope from the 2018 DSL Guys, as the rest appear to be either hurt or on their way out of the organization. This is yet another reason to look at the 2019 guys with a great deal of skepticism…
Geraldi Diaz
POS: C/1B
JULY 1, 2019 AGE: 19
STATS: .244/.399/.375, .986 (C), +.039 GPA vs. DSL Lg. Avg. of .234
For the third straight year, a C/1B is atop the list of DSL Guys. Diaz, who is the only DSL guy repeating the level, cut his PB down to 7 from 15 but improved his OBP by nearly 60 points, though it was almost entirely due to more HBPs.
Andry Arias
POS: 1B/RF
JULY 1, 2019 AGE: 19
STATS: .270/.360/.412, .978 (1B) .914 (OF), +.031
Arias showed both power and patience in his DSL debut, though he was a shade older than lg. avg. He struggled in the OF (3E in 143⅔ IP) so it would appear that he’ll be at 1B in 2019.
Braian Fernandez
POS: CF/LF
JULY 1, 2019 AGE: 20
STATS: .313/.375/.388, .990 (OF), +.031
Fernandez is one of several Venezuelans making their way up the ladder and has all the statistical hallmarks of raw athleticism: a lot OF assists, a fair amount of SB’s, and just as many CS’s. Plus, he’s a switch-hitter.
Viandel Peña
POS: 2B/SS
JULY 1, 2019 AGE: 18
STATS: .250/.386/.358, .969 (2B), +.029
Peña is the youngest of this crew, and the second-youngest on the team. His calling card on offense was the BB – 47 in 65G (most games played on the team), which was 15th best in the league.
Jorge Hurtado
POS: RF/LF
JULY 1, 2019 AGE: 18
STATS: .277/.336/.436, .895 (RF), +.026
Hurtado led the team in whiffs (60), SLG% (.436), and OF errors (7). While the bat may be ready, the bet here is that he’ll repeat the level to work on his defense.