THE AUTHOR is a journalist. He resides in San Francisco de Macorís.
The Class A category, made up of the Midwest (MID), South Atlantic (SAL) and Northwest (NW) Leagues; introduces us to Santiago receiver Endy Rodríguez as the player who has caught my attention the most.
Regardless of the fact that he is not the best positioned player, the Pirates’ number five prospect, Rodríguez has been forged through blood and fire. Signed for $10,000 in 2018, he is hitting .293 in four seasons; last year he whipped Class A Low (.294-15.73), however the 2021 Lidom draw featured so much talent that he was not picked by anyone.
This year he started in Class A Advanced (.302-16-55), leading in OPS (.936), SLG (.544); fifth in batting, eighth in home runs in the SAL. He was promoted to Double-A last week (.316-2-4 in five games). One knows that Warming Bernabel and Adael Amador could be the first two selections of the Lidom 2022 Draw, but it would be absurd if any Lidom team let them through in the first round, especially Águilas and Gigantes.
Super prospects Marco Luciano and Noelvi Marte have put their rank to use in Class A Advanced. Luciano, MLB’s number 8 prospect, injured his back two months ago, is already in rehab at Rookie, was the NW home run leader (.288-8-17) and was one step away from Double A. Marte was the figure of the change that brought Luis Castillo to Seattle (.271-17-60), even in another league, he was fourth in batting, home runs and RBIs in the Northwest League.
Darel Gómez, the brother of noted journalist Héctor Gómez, with the EUG, SF (Choice, .215-21-51) leads the NW in home runs. His partner, Franco-Macorisano Luis Toribio (Stars, .211-20-52), supports him in HRS. Julio Carreras, SPO, CLE (undrafted .289-11-57), second in batting and SLG (.480); third in OPS (.835). Bladimir Reinstated, SPO, CLE (not drawn, .272-5-35).
The relievers, not selected in Lidom, Abel Adames, EUG, SF (8-3 4.89), leader in wins, and at his age (26), is ready to be part of a team in the DR. Jol Frank Concepción, Tor (4-3 4.53), 7 saves, are the most outstanding Creoles in the NW.
Prospect Elly De La Cruz, MLB number 46 (Licey, .298-25-70 between Class A and Double A). The mechanical city of Cincinnati was second in batting and home runs in the Midwest League, even a month ago that he was promoted to Double A. That jewel of the business received a measly bonus of 65 thousand dollars in 2018. Ángel Martínez, CLEV (Stars, .292-10-25); Jhonkensy Noel, CLEV, (Leones, .209-28-63 Between Double A and Class A).
José Hernández, LAD (1-2 2.14, 8 saves), started in Class A Low, went through Advanced and is in Double A. Elvis Alvarado, DET (5-2 1.57, 10 saves between Class A and Double A). Needless to say, the operational teams fo’ed (ignored) both pitchers in the Lidom 2021 big draw.
Apart from Endy Rodríguez in the South Atlantic, Heriberto Hernández, BG, TB (Giants, .251-20-73) stands out, leader in RBIs, second in home runs in his league. Dariel López, GBO, PITT (Giants, .291-19-54), third in home runs, seventh in RBIs. The undrafted Cristian Inoa, Tex (.290-9-49), batting eighth and Luis Mieses, WS, W.SOX (.283-11-69).
Roddery Munoz, ROM; ATLA (8-4 4.68), fourth in wins in the SAL. José Ferrer, WAS (2-1 2.29, 6 saves). Neither was selected last year in the rookie draft.
We are definitely full of talent in the Minors, with people like Marco Luciano, Noelvy Marte or Elly De La Cruz, who will be shining in the firmament of the Majors in a couple of years.
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