DSL Orioles 2023

[Frobby]

Jesús Palacios had a dominant day for Black today, throwing 6 shutout innings and striking out 10, against 2 hits and a walk.  The 18-year old is carrying a 1.01 ERA and an 0.83 WHIP and has thrown 5.0, 5.0, 4.2, 6.0 and 6.0 innings in his five outings.   After walking 13 batters in 13.1 innings in 2022, Palacios has walked only 5 in 26.2 this year.  

It seems to take a lot of DSL pitchers a year or two to get going.  The average DSL pitcher age is 18.7, while the batters average 17.7.
 

[Frobby]

I’m trying to sort out who are the most interesting of our pitchers in the DSL.

Orange

17-year old Cesar Espinal has thrown a team-leading 22.2 IP, to a 3.18 ERA, 1.015 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 4.4 K/BB.

17-year old Javier Gonzalez has thrown 17.2 IP, 4.58 ERA, 1.302 WHIP, 12.2 K/9, 3.0 K/BB

17-year old Ledwin Gonzalez has thrown 15.2 IP, mostly in relief, to a 1.15 ERA, 1.085 WHiP, 7.2 K/9, 2.2 K/BB

18-year old Elias Moscoso has thrown 16.1 IP, 3.31 ERA, 1.531 WHIP, 12.1 K/9, 2.0 K/BB

Black

18-year old Jesús Palacios has thrown a league leading 26.2 IP, to a 1.01 ERA, 0.825 WHIP, 9.5 K/9, 5.6 K/BB

17-year old Francisco Marao has thrown 17.0 IP, 3.18 ERA, 1.235 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 2.4 K/BB

Keep in mind the context of this league.  The average stats in the DSL are 5.24 ERA, 1.586 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 1.6 K/BB.  The average age of the pitchers is 18.7.  

Nobody here has a crazy good K rate, but their other numbers look pretty good  when you consider how hitter-friendly the league has been.  

[Frobby]

Another nice start for Espinal today, 4 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K’s.  

[scarey1999]

I try to find time to review the DSL box scores (and FCL too for that matter) 2-3 days out of the week as time permits. I check out main clubs more frequently, checking in on Mayo, Holliday, Basallo, etc.

Anyhow, I think I’ve noticed something when looking at the amount of innings they are letting the pitchers throw in the DR.  I was curious to know if others had seen this too.  This is purely anecdotal as I do not have the data to back this up with so I’ll qualify this by saying it sure seems like an uptick in the number of innings per start guys are allowed to throw. I’ve seen many 5 inning outings (and I think 6 ish a time or two) which is pretty unusual based on what I recall seeing over the years from our DSL pitchers. Even relievers are coming in and throwing 3 or 4 innings. Again, it seems to be happening fairly regularly when pitchers are throwing more innings than I can ever recall seeing. 2-3 innings was much more common in years past, especially this early in the DR season.

Here’s where I’m going with this. Seeing as this is the youngest group of players we have, I wonder if there is some sort of test being conducted or developmental shift in letting the young kids actually throw as opposed to coddling and protective methods we typically see with young pitchers in effort to shield them from injury - which is largely an unproven practice. Maybe the Os have found something or decided to have these young guys throw more and see how it works out long term.

Anyone else notice this too? Thoughts?

[btdart20]

6 hours ago, scarey1999 said:

I try to find time to review the DSL box scores (and FCL too for that matter) 2-3 days out of the week as time permits. I check out main clubs more frequently, checking in on Mayo, Holliday, Basallo, etc.

Anyhow, I think I’ve noticed something when looking at the amount of innings they are letting the pitchers throw in the DR.  I was curious to know if others had seen this too.  This is purely anecdotal as I do not have the data to back this up with so I’ll qualify this by saying it sure seems like an uptick in the number of innings per start guys are allowed to throw. I’ve seen many 5 inning outings (and I think 6 ish a time or two) which is pretty unusual based on what I recall seeing over the years from our DSL pitchers. Even relievers are coming in and throwing 3 or 4 innings. Again, it seems to be happening fairly regularly when pitchers are throwing more innings than I can ever recall seeing. 2-3 innings was much more common in years past, especially this early in the DR season.

Here’s where I’m going with this. Seeing as this is the youngest group of players we have, I wonder if there is some sort of test being conducted or developmental shift in letting the young kids actually throw as opposed to coddling and protective methods we typically see with young pitchers in effort to shield them from injury - which is largely an unproven practice. Maybe the Os have found something or decided to have these young guys throw more and see how it works out long term.

Anyone else notice this too? Thoughts?

Only to add a potential "reason" to the speculation:  Given the age of these guys, they are still gaining muscle/arm strength.  It really makes sense to have them throwing more innings per outing to begin with.  Then developing the arm care disciplines/routines needed to maintain that strength and health on their off days.

[Tony-OH]

9 hours ago, scarey1999 said:

I try to find time to review the DSL box scores (and FCL too for that matter) 2-3 days out of the week as time permits. I check out main clubs more frequently, checking in on Mayo, Holliday, Basallo, etc.

Anyhow, I think I’ve noticed something when looking at the amount of innings they are letting the pitchers throw in the DR.  I was curious to know if others had seen this too.  This is purely anecdotal as I do not have the data to back this up with so I’ll qualify this by saying it sure seems like an uptick in the number of innings per start guys are allowed to throw. I’ve seen many 5 inning outings (and I think 6 ish a time or two) which is pretty unusual based on what I recall seeing over the years from our DSL pitchers. Even relievers are coming in and throwing 3 or 4 innings. Again, it seems to be happening fairly regularly when pitchers are throwing more innings than I can ever recall seeing. 2-3 innings was much more common in years past, especially this early in the DR season.

Here’s where I’m going with this. Seeing as this is the youngest group of players we have, I wonder if there is some sort of test being conducted or developmental shift in letting the young kids actually throw as opposed to coddling and protective methods we typically see with young pitchers in effort to shield them from injury - which is largely an unproven practice. Maybe the Os have found something or decided to have these young guys throw more and see how it works out long term.

Anyone else notice this too? Thoughts?

Interesting observation. I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks.

[Frobby]

The DSL O's Orange team continues to play well, at 23-14, while Black has slipped a bit to 16-21.

For Orange, the top hitter has been 18-year old 2B/SS Fernando Peguero, now hitting .359/.443/.523 with a homer and 19 RBI.  Peguero is a 2022 signee who is repeating the DSL and finding it much easier the second time around (.552 OPS last year).   Same story for Elis Cuevas, a 3B/1B who is hitting .346/.428/.496 with 2 homers and 19 RBI, after posting a .782 OPS last year.  Our top signee, SS Ayden Almeyda, missed some time with injuries and is struggling a bit, hitting .190/.290/.310.

Black has been led by 20-year old 1B Luis Vicioso, a late bloomer who didn't play previously in the DSL.   He's hitting .355/.412/.505 with a homer and 23 RBI.  17-year old catcher Miguel Rodriguez is hitting .303/.483/.364 with no homers and 10 RBI.  18-year old C Andres Nolaya is hitting .316/.402/.434 with no homers and 10 RBI, after posting a .567 OPS last year.  18 year old OF Yirber Ruiz has a .262/.430/.459 slash line with 2 HR and 11 RBI after posting a .524 OPS last year.

You can see from this that a lot of players struggle in their first DSL season and have to repeat the league.  So, in that context, some of the guys who Tony wrote up in January aren't doing too badly.  Black's  youngest player, 16 year old  3B Josh Liranzo has a .657 OPS, while 17-year old OF Abraham Cohen has a .796 OPS in limited action, having missed time with an injury.  Orange's 17-year old 2B/SS Luis Guevara has a .795 OPS.  Two 16-year olds not mentioned in Tony's January write-ups also have done pretty well: Black's OF Junior Aybar (.688 OPS) and Orange's C Adriander Mejia (.772).

Of course, all I'm doing here is scouting the stat line, always dangerous and especially with DSL players.  But, I'd guess the dozen guys I've mentioned here will make it to the FCL next summer, along with some other position players.   (I'll update the pitchers some other time, but the 6 guys I mentioned in my July 7 post continue to pitch well, and 17-year old Ezequiel Bonilla has come on strong for Orange, posting an 0.55 ERA in July and 2.66 overall.)

 

 

Edited July 28, 2023 by Frobby

[RZNJ]

DSL Black today.
 

17 yo Francisco Morao.  LHP 6’2 165.
 

3 IP, 2 hits, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts!

 

Jesus Liranzo, our 2nd highest bonus guy after Almeyda hit his 2nd homer this week and seems to be coming on a bit.    Almeyda plays for Orange and has missed a lot of time with injury and certainly not dominated when he has played.   

Edited August 5, 2023 by RZNJ

[Billy F-Face3]

I tip my cap to the Hangouters here in the community who have been compiling all this information and sharing where it's easy to find in one place. Really helps in keeping up with how things are going in the lower minors. Thanks!

[Frobby]

One week left in the season.   Orioles Orange is still playing well at 31-18, while Black is struggling at 18-32.   Orange is in 2nd place in their division, only 1.5 games behind the Padres Gold team.  Should be an interesting final week.  

[Frobby]

The Orange team had a dramatic win today.  The game was tied 7-7 after the scheduled 7 innings, and the DBacks team scored 4 runs in the top of the 8th, but Orange answered with 5 in the bottom of the frame to win 12-11.  

With only 2 games remaining on Monday and Tuesday, Orange (35-19) trails Padres Gold (37-17) by 2 games for the Baseball City Division lead.  The good news: Orange’s final two games are against their weaker sister, Orioles Black (20-34).   The bad news: Padres Gold’s final two games are against their weaker sister, Padres Black (16-37).   The DSL might want to reconsider the way they schedule intramural games for division title deciding games.  

I’ll update this thread with some thoughts about who stood out once the season ends on Tuesday.  
 

[Frobby]

On 8/19/2023 at 3:11 PM, Frobby said:

With only 2 games remaining on Monday and Tuesday, Orange (35-19) trails Padres Gold (37-17) by 2 games for the Baseball City Division lead.  The good news: Orange’s final two games are against their weaker sister, Orioles Black (20-34).   The bad news: Padres Gold’s final two games are against their weaker sister, Padres Black (16-37).   The DSL might want to reconsider the way they schedule intramural games for division title deciding games.  
 

Orange did its part today, slaughtering Black 17-3.  But Padres Gold squeezed by Padres Black, 5-4, to clinch the Baseball City Division title.  Final games tomorrow.

[Frobby]

The DSL season ended with a whimper today, as Orange and Black were rained out.  Here's a few players that caught my eye.  Top draftee Ayden Almeyda did not get to play much due to injury, so I did not include him.   

Orange - hitters

Fernando Peguero, 18, .333/.423/.475, 29 BB to 28 K's in 217 PA.  He was repeating the DSL  but put up a strong showing this time around.  Played 3B/SS/2B/OF.  $47.5 k bonus in 2022.

Elis Cuevas, 18, .305/.401/.455, 23 BB to 41 K's in 217 PA.  Also a repeater who did much better in 2023.  Played OF/1B/3B. $147.5 k bonus in 2022.

Luis Guevara, 17, .318/444/.380, 28 BB to 24 K's in 160 PA.  Played SS.  $200 k bonus in 2023.

Ariander Mejia, 16, .277/.381/.355, 19 BB to 27 K's in 178 PA.  Played C/1B and had a 45% CS%.  Desn't turn 17 until end of this month.  Not sure when we signed him.

Orange - pitchers

Cesar Espinal, 17, 34.0 IP, 3.18 ERA, 1.176 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 3.1 K/BB.  Espinal was leading the team in IP for a long time but was shut down for several weeks in late July, returning to toss an inning in Orange's final game.   He looks to me like the pick of the litter.  I'm not quite sure when we signed him.

Ezequiel Bonilla, 17, 41.1 IP, 3.48 ERA, 1.476 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 1.5 K/BB.  $27,500 bonus in 2022.

Ledwin Gonzalez, 17, 28.2 IP, 3.14 ERA, 1.605 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, 1.7 K/BB.  Not sure when we signed him.

Elias Moscoso, 18, 34.0 IP, 4.50 IP, 1.500 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 1.6 K/BB.  $10 k bonus in 2022.

Black - hitters

Joshua Liranzo, 16, .244/.393/.400, 31 BB vs. 48 K's in 201 PA.  Played 3B and was a bit shaky there, making 9 errors in 45 games.  $500 k bonus in 2023.

Miguel Rodriguez, 17, .323/.489/.385, 24 BB vs. 13 K's in 131 PA.  Played C/1B and threw out 34% of runners.

Black - pitchers

Jesus Palacios, 18, 1.95 ERA, 0.987 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 4.7 K/BB in 50.2 IP.   Was repeating the league, which is quite normal in the DSL, especially for pitchers.  $87,500 bonus in 2022.

Francisco Morao, 17, 3.89 ERA, 1.347 WHIP, 11.9 K/BB, 2.5 K/9 in 39.1 IP.  $200 k bonus in 2023.

Hopefully, we see all these guys in the FCL next summer.

@Tony-OH, if you have any intel on these guys other than their numbers and pre-season write-ups, I would love to hear it.   There are three guys listed above,  Ariander Mejia, Cesar Espinal, and Ledwin Gonzalez, who didn't appear on the Jan. 15 list.

 

 

[Tony-OH]

1 hour ago, Frobby said:

The DSL season ended with a whimper today, as Orange and Black were rained out.  Here's a few players that caught my eye.  Top draftee Ayden Almeyda did not get to play much due to injury, so I did not include him.   

Orange - hitters

Fernando Peguero, 18, .333/.423/.475, 29 BB to 28 K's in 217 PA.  He was repeating the DSL  but put up a strong showing this time around.  Played 3B/SS/2B/OF.  $47.5 k bonus in 2022.

Elis Cuevas, 18, .305/.401/.455, 23 BB to 41 K's in 217 PA.  Also a repeater who did much better in 2023.  Played OF/1B/3B. $147.5 k bonus in 2022.

Luis Guevara, 17, .318/444/.380, 28 BB to 24 K's in 160 PA.  Played SS.  $200 k bonus in 2023.

Ariander Mejia, 16, .277/.381/.355, 19 BB to 27 K's in 178 PA.  Played C/1B and had a 45% CS%.  Desn't turn 17 until end of this month.  Not sure when we signed him.

Orange - pitchers

Cesar Espinal, 17, 34.0 IP, 3.18 ERA, 1.176 WHIP, 9.0 K/9, 3.1 K/BB.  Espinal was leading the team in IP for a long time but was shut down for several weeks in late July, returning to toss an inning in Orange's final game.   He looks to me like the pick of the litter.  I'm not quite sure when we signed him.

Ezequiel Bonilla, 17, 41.1 IP, 3.48 ERA, 1.476 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 1.5 K/BB.  $27,500 bonus in 2022.

Ledwin Gonzalez, 17, 28.2 IP, 3.14 ERA, 1.605 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, 1.7 K/BB.  Not sure when we signed him.

Elias Moscoso, 18, 34.0 IP, 4.50 IP, 1.500 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 1.6 K/BB.  $10 k bonus in 2022.

Black - hitters

Joshua Liranzo, 16, .244/.393/.400, 31 BB vs. 48 K's in 201 PA.  Played 3B and was a bit shaky there, making 9 errors in 45 games.  $500 k bonus in 2023.

Miguel Rodriguez, 17, .323/.489/.385, 24 BB vs. 13 K's in 131 PA.  Played C/1B and threw out 34% of runners.

Black - pitchers

Jesus Palacios, 18, 1.95 ERA, 0.987 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 4.7 K/BB in 50.2 IP.   Was repeating the league, which is quite normal in the DSL, especially for pitchers.  $87,500 bonus in 2022.

Francisco Morao, 17, 3.89 ERA, 1.347 WHIP, 11.9 K/BB, 2.5 K/9 in 39.1 IP.  $200 k bonus in 2023.

Hopefully, we see all these guys in the FCL next summer.

@Tony-OH, if you have any intel on these guys other than their numbers and pre-season write-ups, I would love to hear it.   There are three guys listed above,  Ariander Mejia, Cesar Espinal, and Ledwin Gonzalez, who didn't appear on the Jan. 15 list.

 

 

I'll get more on them soon. I don't have much else on them right now besides what I've already put out. 

[Chaka Garcia]

I couldn’t find the FCL thread. Can anyone provide an evaluation on Braylin Tavera and the other DSL graduates? Tavera seems to have decent numbers with steals/homeruns/OBP. Curious, if he’s a projectable impact bat next year.

Edited August 23, 2023 by Chaka Garcia