Now that the New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series most recent trip to the Dominican Republic is firmly in the rear-view mirror — with plans already in place for a return, of course — it’s time to look back to our March visit and take a quick look at some of the standout players on each of the five teams who played over the two-day event, including the Red pitching-only squad.
Luis Berroa, INF (pictured, Mayimbe)
6-foot-0, 155-pounds, R/R; 2027-28 eligible signing
Berroa was the highest graded player from a fairly loaded Black team, with some eye-popping numbers on his report that include a future 70. A 7.09 runner of the 60-yard-dash, the 15-year-old impressed mightily with his defensive ability, earning future 65’s for range, accuracy and throwing with a future 70 put on his fielding category as a whole. A “definite professional prospect and player who can end up in the big leagues with impact” according to his report, it isn’t a defense-only profile, however. Berroa “profiles as a potential everyday SS to a valuable versatile INF starter to backup,” and “has good timing and rhythm” at the plate with “hands (that) stay inside the ball with a line drive swing…kid is going to make a lot of contact and have the hit tool in the 40/45 range.” He doesn’t turn 16 until December and is eligible to sign in the 2027-28 period.
Christopher Romero, C (IPB)
6-0, 175, R/R; 2026 eligible
Well-rounded player here, with nothing lower than future 50’s on the board. In a country where there seems to be a surplus of quality backstops that are eligible to sign now, Romero still stands out; he may have put on the best power display of anyone in batting practice — the “ball jumps off his bat with impressive juice” per our scouts — and put down a 6.68 60-yard dash time that was stunning given his position, with our scouts thinking a move to the outfield may best suit his speed.
“This kid overall was one of the most impressive players at this event and I can see him being an instant farm system prospect and future big leaguer,” his report reads in part. “Very mature and high character kid.”
Daniel Arias, INF (IPB)
5-8, 135, R/R; 2029 signing
The youngest player on the Black team — he isn’t eligible to sign until 2029 and won’t turn 14 until August — Arias impressed from a smaller frame with a lot of natural ability on the dirt. Our scouts noticed a “good, quick stroke that produces some sneaky pop especially to the pull side” at the plate but the highest marks came in the field with a 50/55 arm that gives him platoon starting infielder upside as he matures physically.
Jean Matos, OF (Pro Baseball)
6-1, 180, R/R, 2029
Matos was a fun watch in the DR, and his 65 future raw power is among the event’s best. Not surprisingly, his 98.7 MPH max exit velo during BP was the best of the week and our scouts have him profiling “as a potential everyday RF/corner OF with real power potential and impact” who has some “physical power potential and will be a solid prospect for an MLB farm system.” A 6.94 60 runner at six-foot-one and 180 pounds, Matos is just 14 years old and not eligible to sign until 2029. Smooth actions in the outfield as well.
Jarold Fortunato, OF (Pro Baseball)
6-1, 160, L/R, 2028
I usually try to keep these to four players per team, but when our scouts say a kid “profiles as a potential extra OF with potential prospect value for an MLB team,” that can’t exactly be ignored. That’s part of the report on Fortunato, a left-handed hitting outfielder who has some projection to add to a longer, lean frame. There’s a “power, lofty stroke to him…kid shows present power with more in the tank as he continues to fill out and mature.” A 7.56 runner, Fortunato likely won’t impact the basepaths and presents a power over hit profile for now, but he’s a perfect prospect to keep an eye on down the road given the power now and the side it comes from.
About New Balance Future Stars Series
The New Balance Future Stars Series presented by Program 15 is a global platform for amateur baseball development and scouting, powered by a commitment to impact, integrity, and player-focused innovation. Its alumni can be found throughout professional baseball, and its events and partnerships have reshaped how talent is identified, nurtured, and celebrated.
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Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked eight Super Bowls, 12 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,300 games covered in his career.
An avid trading card enthusiast, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son, future No. 1 overall draft pick in 2042, William, their beloved dog, Bailey, and occasionally well-behaved cat, Smokey.
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