Orioles have 4 International Players in the FCL top 20

[Roll Tide]

Only the Yankees have more…..Nice Article by Mewleski 

 

https://www.masnsports.com/blog/o-s-international-program-was-big-as-club-had-four-top-prospects-in-the-fcl

[Sports Guy]

De Leon is at or near the top of my list of guys to watch next year. 

[RZNJ]

I used to be happy to see one player on the FCL top 20.   3 of those players are from the 2022 class as was Aron Estrada who was our best DSL performer in 2022 and injured much of the 2023 season.   I expect to see Tavera, Sosa, Arias, and Estrada all starting next year in Delmarva.   

[baltfan]

This definitely is hopeful. Will be even better when they start having guys near the top of the list. 

[Frobby]

Now that is impressive, because it’s not just Orioles writers and fans dreaming on a guy, it’s an objective third party source.  That’s by far the best showing we’ve had for international prospects at the FCL prospects, even if nobody is a Basallo-level prospect.   

The article also mevtons that the O’s had 7 international prospects drafted in the Dominican Winter League, tied for the most of any team.  
 

[RZNJ]

per Baseball America.   Only 5 prospects met the requirements 
 

Identifying future breakout prospects using stats in the Dominican Summer League and domestic complex leagues more often than not proves to be a fool’s errand. Physically mature hitters take advantage of less advanced pitching at lower levels and can put up eye-catching numbers that don’t necessarily translate to success when they matriculate to full-season levels. 

However, with growing access to minor league statcast data through sources, we’ve begun to refine our ability to identify worthy follows and targets at the minor league’s lowest levels. In 2021, my first season with access to advanced data, I identified a pair of standout complex league hitters with outlier underlying hitting traits. Those two players were the Rockies’ Adael Amador and, at the time, a young power-hitting infielder in the Guardians’ system named Junior Caminero. 
 

To identify similar players, we need to set a baseline of performance across a variety of metrics. In order to perform this exercise properly, we need to blend contact, power and approach. 

Our baseline benchmarks are as follows:

Contact rate above 75%

90th Percentile Exit Velocity above 102 mph

An average exit velocity above 86 mph

A chase rate below 30%

 

Thomas Sosa, OF, Orioles: Sosa was signed by the Orioles out of the Dominican Republic in January of 2022 for $400,000. After debuting in the Dominican Summer League in 2022, with a well below–average showing, Sosa took a sizable step forward in 2023. He hit .290/.385/.492 in the Florida Complex League and ranked 20th overall in our FCL rankings. Sosa shows the most high-end power of the group (104.3 mph 90% – 110 mph max EV), while displaying strong contact skills and an ability to do damage in-zone. 

 

[RZNJ]

12. Braylin Tavera, OF, Orioles

Age: 18. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 175. Acquired: Dominican Republic, 2022.

Tavera was signed in 2022 and posted a so-so season in the DSL. His production improved this year in the FCL, and scouts see a player with the potential to be a five-tool prospect in center field. He’s got the plus speed and instincts—as well as an average arm—to stick up the middle and at least have some defensive impact. He hits the ball hard when he makes contact but will have to shore up his hit tool just a little bit. He has sound swing decisions but parts of his swing will have to be improved to continue making quality contact as he climbs the ladder.

[RZNJ]

14. Luis De Leon, LHP, Orioles

Age: 20. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-3. Wt.: 168. Acquired: Dominican Republic, 2021.

De Leon signed in Dec. 2021 and was limited by injuries in his debut season in the DSL. This season, he’s raised his stock tremendously to the point where he was targeted by clubs in trades during the summer. The southpaw has big-time arm speed that he uses to sling heavy fastballs in the mid-90s that helped him induce grounders by the bushel in both the FCL and at Low-A Delmarva. He pairs the fastball with a changeup and slider that each could be fringe-average. There are some mechanical inconsistencies to iron out, but the Orioles have proved in recent years that they can get the best out of their pitchers.

[RZNJ]

18. Leandro Arias, 2B, Orioles

Age: 18. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 155. Acquired: Dominican Republic, 2022.

Arias signed with Baltimore out of the Dominican Republic in 2022 and had a nondescript first pro season in the DSL. In his first season in the states, he upped his profile. Scouts reported a hitter with an excellent approach from both sides of the plate as well as the potential for plus raw power despite a smaller frame. Arias is likely to move off of shortstop, but his plus arm strength would fit well at either second or third base. He’s an aggressive hitter, which might get exploited at higher levels and could lead to a power-over-hit profile.

[RZNJ]

20. Thomas Sosa, OF, Orioles

Age: 18. B-T: L-L/. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 160. Acquired: Dominican Republic, 2022.

Sosa was part of a loaded Baltimore club and showed an intriguing mix of upside and production. Scouts saw a player with a solid approach and line-drive power that could amplify as he gets stronger. He saw time at all three outfield spots but mostly split his time between center field and right field. He’s a solid-average runner with the arm to fit in a corner if he has to move off center field permanently.

[RZNJ]

A “loaded” Baltimore club in the FCL?   Koby Perez appears to have been a great hire.  

[btdart20]

1 hour ago, RZNJ said:

per Baseball America.   Only 5 prospects met the requirements 
 

Identifying future breakout prospects using stats in the Dominican Summer League and domestic complex leagues more often than not proves to be a fool’s errand. Physically mature hitters take advantage of less advanced pitching at lower levels and can put up eye-catching numbers that don’t necessarily translate to success when they matriculate to full-season levels. 

However, with growing access to minor league statcast data through sources, we’ve begun to refine our ability to identify worthy follows and targets at the minor league’s lowest levels. In 2021, my first season with access to advanced data, I identified a pair of standout complex league hitters with outlier underlying hitting traits. Those two players were the Rockies’ Adael Amador and, at the time, a young power-hitting infielder in the Guardians’ system named Junior Caminero. 
 

To identify similar players, we need to set a baseline of performance across a variety of metrics. In order to perform this exercise properly, we need to blend contact, power and approach. 

Our baseline benchmarks are as follows:

Contact rate above 75%

90th Percentile Exit Velocity above 102 mph

An average exit velocity above 86 mph

A chase rate below 30%

 

Thomas Sosa, OF, Orioles: Sosa was signed by the Orioles out of the Dominican Republic in January of 2022 for $400,000. After debuting in the Dominican Summer League in 2022, with a well below–average showing, Sosa took a sizable step forward in 2023. He hit .290/.385/.492 in the Florida Complex League and ranked 20th overall in our FCL rankings. Sosa shows the most high-end power of the group (104.3 mph 90% – 110 mph max EV), while displaying strong contact skills and an ability to do damage in-zone. 

 

Am I understanding this correctly that BA identified Sosa as a future breakout candidate like they did with Amador and Caminero in 2021?  

[RZNJ]

1 hour ago, btdart20 said:

Am I understanding this correctly that BA identified Sosa as a future breakout candidate like they did with Amador and Caminero in 2021?  

Along with 4 other prospects from other organizations.  Yes.   A potential breakout candidate based on the criteria they mentioned.   

[RZNJ]

5 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

Along with 4 other prospects from other organizations.  Yes.   A potential breakout candidate based on the criteria they mentioned.   

We have Basallo and Bencosme but I believe the 2022 class was the real turning point.  3 of those players are on the FCL top 20 but there is also interesting players like Aron Estrada, Alfredo Velazquez, Raylin Ramos, and Edwin Amparo from that class.   It’s a tough act for the 2023 class of Almeyda to follow.

Edited October 17, 2023 by RZNJ

[btdart20]

3 hours ago, RZNJ said:

We have Basallo and Bencosme but I believe the 2022 class was the real turning point.  3 of those players are on the FCL top 20 but there is also interesting players like Aron Estrada, Alfredo Velazquez, Raylin Ramos, and Edwin Amparo from that class.   It’s a tough act for the 2023 class of Almeyda to follow.

Seems like the OFer field is pretty strong.  Praying for pitchers...