Scouting the Short-Season Leagues

Short-season leagues around Minor League Baseball are in full swing now. Some leagues – like the Dominican Summer League – have played more than 20 games, while others – like the Gulf Coast League – have managed just two games so far. Let’s have a look at some of the interesting names found within these low-level leagues. Small sample size warning clearly applies.

Dominga Santana, OF, Philadelphia
Considered by FanGraphs as the Phillies’ 12th best prospect entering 2010 (and ninth by Baseball America), Santana had a solid debut season in the Gulf Coast League in ’09. The outfielder hit .288/.388/.508 at the age of just 16(!). Well, five games into the New York Penn League season he’s third in the league in hitting at .471 (17 at-bats). Santana is a potential five-tool player, with a strong arm, although the 6’5” outfielder projects to lose speed as he fills out.

Michael Ynoa, RHP, Oakland
Signed for more than $4 million in ’08, Ynoa had yet to throw a pitch in pro ball until the 2010 season. Injury concerns caused the organization to go slow with the big right-hander but he’s still just 18 years old. The Dominican Republic native faced the Angels’ rookie league club on June 21 and he allowed just one hit (no walks) in three innings and struck out four batters. The organization will continue to be cautious with Ynoa, so he’ll likely be a slow mover through the system.

Carlos Perez, C, Toronto
Another international find, Perez made his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in ’08 as a 17-year-old catcher and he showed an outstanding approach at the plate for his age, with a line of .306/.459/.378. He also walked 52 times with just 28 strikeouts in a league where most of the hitters are extremely aggressive. Last season in rookie ball, Perez hit .291/.364/.433 in 141 at-bats and showed solid defensive skills behind the plate. Toronto continues to go slow with the talented catcher as he’s currently playing in the New York Penn League and has a 1.150 OPS and has scored a league-leading eight runs through five games. Toronto has impressive catching depth in the minors with J.P. Arencibia, Travis d’Arnaud, A.J. Jimenez, and Perez.

Kolbrin Vitek, 3B, Boston
I love to see draft prospects sign quickly and get on with their pro careers. Vitek is one of nine first-round picks from 2010 that have jumped at the chance to play pro ball. He’s hitting .333 through five games and has been playing third base. Fellow third baseman Jedd Gyorko had an outside shot of going in the first round in 2010, but he slid to the Padres in the second round. He has a 1.350 OPS and the league lead with two homers through five games in the Northwest League.

Miguel Sano, SS, Minnesota
One of the top 2009 international free agents ($3.15 million), Sano was left in the Dominican Summer League this season by the Twins and he’s hitting like he wants a ticket north. The recently turned 17-year-old infielder is currently hitting .341/.444/.636 through 44 at-bats. He’s struck out 14 times, but he’s also taken eight free passes through 14 games.

Yeicok Calderon, OF, New York AL
New York shelled out cash to a number of talented international free agents in ’08 and Calderon was one of the them, although he was not considered the top player in the group. In fact, he did not even make Baseball America’s Top 30 prospects list for the organization. After a solid debut in ’09 in which he hit .321/.440/.415 in 193 at-bats in the Dominican Summer League, Calderon is making a statement in 2010 and he clearly wants to move stateside in 2011. He’s leading the DSL in homers with five (he hit three in 55 games last year) and he has a .956 OPS through 18 games.