Post-Mortem: The 2018 DSL Giants

With two Arizona League (AZL) teams to fill, the Dominican Summer League (DSL) Giants were left without most of the productive core of the 2017 team. That was especially true on the pitching staff, where none of the top 13 IP leaders from the 2017 staff returned. Relying on a mostly young group of players, the team spent most of the year north of .500 but never making a sustained attack on the top of their division. Most of their success came on the offensive side, as they finished in the upper third of the DSL in HRs, Runs, SLG and OPS.

Season Summary: 37-35, 3rd in NorthEast division, 16 GB

Team Awards

MVP

Roger - Luis Toribio, 17 yrs old, 3B, .270/.423/.479

The 17 year old 3B ended up tied for 3rd in the DSL in Home Runs and led the Giants in homers, doubles, hits, Total Bases, SLG and OPS. His 10 HRs was the first double-digit total since Ray Duran hit 11 in 2009.

Kevin - Luis Toribio

There really isn’t a competition here. He wasn’t just the team leader in most stats, he was among the league leaders. He slumped a bit in getting hits in the season’s final month, his slugging stayed mostly consistent. There’s a lot to like in this young man’s debut.

Rookie Of The Year

Kevin - Toribio

Roger - Toribio

Best Returning Player

Roger - Ghordy Santos, 18 yrs old, SS, .220/.393/.330

Hard to call a .220 second season in the DSL a success, but Santos does offer some appeal as a guy with speed (18 SB), some pop (.110) and SS skills.

Kevin - Samuel Jorge, 18 yrs old, 1B, .274/.363/.363

There wasn’t a lot of returning players to consider here. Jorge has a high strikeout rate (49 in 179 at-bats, but showed an ability to square the ball up more in his second season.

Best Starting Pitcher

Kevin - Juan Sanchez, 17 yrs old, LHP, 3.39 ERA, 63 Ks, 13 BBs, 61 IP

The top three pitchers for the DSL Giants had very similar ERAs, but ERA of course matters little in the DSL. Sanchez, though, had significantly more strikeouts and less walks, two stats that matter a little more. He gives up a few more hits that one might like, however.

Roger - Juan Sanchez

There’s not much less meaningful than DSL pitching stats, but the lefty managed to find himself on Fangraphs recent Giants’ prospect list, as well as showing excellent control of the strike zone in the DSL.

Best Reliever

Roger - Jesus Gomez, 17 yrs old, LHP. 2.68 ERA, 60 K, 25 BB, 43.2IP

Slight cheat, as Gomez’ last three appearances were as a starter, but Gomez is a lefty who offers some projectibility. He was second on the team in Ks despite throwing nearly 20 fewer innings than Sanchez.

Kevin - Jesus Gomez

Gomez led the team in strikeout rate, striking out almost as many as team leader Sanchez in 18 less innings. Gomez also faired better in giving up hits, but he’ll have to continue that at the next level.

Other Interesting Players

Kevin - This squad had two catchers do well in limited time, with Rodolfo Bone (.317/.416/.429) and Cesar Gonzalez (.270/.438/.595) both putting up good numbers in short time in their first seasons. Ghordy Santos was the team’s leading speedster, and also in walks, two skills that go hand in hand.

Roger - Jean Peña showed power but with lots of swing and miss. Ismael Alcantara missed nearly all of his 17 year season, but is a projectable left-handed power bat. Rodolfo Bone hit .317 in part time Catcher duty.