DSL Diamondbacks

The Dominican Summer League affiliate for the Diamondbacks has some interesting young prospects, and I thought it'd be interesting if I took a look at a few of them today. These guys are all young(21 years old or younger), and in the lowest level of the minors, so these guys are all a ways off from really establishing themselves as prospects. They're more what-ifs than anything.

Yesterday, 20 year old Johan Jaime only allowed one run in 6.2 innings pitched for the DSL Diamondbacks, with seven strikeouts and three walks. A left handed start, Jaime has good numbers this year(4.37 ERA, no homeruns allowed, with 20 walks and a team leading 39 strikeouts in 35 IP), but at 5'11 and 185 LB he's a bit undersized for a starter.

Besides Johan Jamie, the DSL Diamondbacks have some intriguing pitchers having decent years. There's 20 year old right hander Yiomar Camacho, who's averaged 6.1 innings in his 7 starts, with a 3.48 ERA with 10 walks and 31 strikeouts, with one homerun allowed in 44IP. at 6'1 and 172 pounds(according to B-REF) he's got a little bit more of a projection-able build for a starter.

Then there's 21 year old lefty Francisco Guzman, who at 6'5 190 pounds, has an even better build than Jamie and Camacho. He's has a 3.76 ERA in 38.1 innings pitched, but he has a dreadful 22:24 BB:K ratio. If he could improve his control, he could end up being an interesting player to watch.

Oh, and of course, how could I not mention lefty reliever Jose Jose? He's got a solid 3.54 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched, and he's only just turning 20 next week, but he's got a 15:20 BB:K ratio.

On the hitting side of things, the conversation starts with 17 year old Wagner Mateo. Already 6'2 and 190 LBs, you have to imagine that Wagner has a lot of room to mature physically. A left handed outfielder, Wagner is already putting up extremely solid numbers for a player his age. In 133 ABs, he's hitting 241/353/398 with with 9 doubles, 3 triples, and 2 HRs, to go along with a 22:42 BB:K ratio. He's also stolen 11 bases in 15 chances. He's played center field, right field, and a couple games at DH. As I can't exactly watch Mateo play, I can't really say how his defense is, but the numbers suggest he's better in right field than in center. There were some questions about his vision, but I don't really see anything in his numbers that suggests that has been a problem for the young Dominican

Besides Mateo, the only offensive prospect i find interesting is 18 year old outfielder Michael Gonzales, who in 72 PA is hitting 259/403/414 with two doubles, two triples, and a homer, with 14:13 BB:K ratio.

So the DSL Diamondbacks have some interesting prospects, and a few names to keep an eye on, especially Wagner Mateo. Mateo is the most likely of these players to be in the states next season, and has the highest ceiling of all these players.

I'm not sure what I should look at next, so if you have any suggestions, send me an email or leave a comment.