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.
Puaelki Cuevas, RHP (pictured, Giron Group)
2027 eligible signing, 6-foot-4, 185 pounds
It was Cuevas who was the highest-graded pitcher of the nearly three dozen who got on the mound during our most recent trip to the Dominican Republic. “This kid is what they are supposed to look like” is how his report starts, one that projects him as a definite big league starter with the potential for some impact. It was a two-pitch mix over a brief look for Cuevas, who doesn’t turn 17 years old until August, and almost all fastballs; the pitch topped out at 90 miles per hour and “has a chance to be plus to above average with a very good path, late life, and some ride action” per his report. There’s a big projection element here given youth and the frame, with his “long levers, broad shoulders and a great amount of room to add physicality” noted.
Manuel Garcia, RHP (Premium Academy)
eligible, 6-0, 175
It’s a four-pitch mix for Garcia, who turns 21 in December. Of the fastball, curveball, slider and change, it’s the ol’ bola curva that grades out the best with a current 55 thanks to a 2611 spin rate and “really good shape with depth and power” per our scouts look at him. Pitching tends to stick around longer in the DR, but “kid is physical and has weapons as he learns how to maximize his arsenal with consistency and make that tempo under control,” per our scouts, and profiles as a pro starter.
Ricardo Morel, RHP
eligible, 6-2, 190
Morel is another advanced arm who stood out in March; like Garcia, he’s set to turn 21 in December. He popped 92 on the numerous radar guns behind the plate, good for second-best in the event, while also flashing a curveball and slider. Our scouts have him profiling as a “back end starter who is a quality innings eater” and someone we’d like to see again. His report reads, in part, “a strong follow to see vs even stronger competition…and if the body adds strength and the slider tightens, he could take a jump pretty quickly.”
Yeury Nunez, LHP
2027-28 eligible, 5-11, 163
The best lefty we saw out of a handful who got on the bump in El Naranjo, Nunez is an interesting name to keep an eye on, as he doesn’t turn 15 years old until this summer. Our scouts project him as someone who “has the look and feel that a good D-1 player has who turns into a pro with good performance and jumps.” Nunez threw four pitches — fastball, curve, slider, change — and impressed with his feel for spin, sitting in the 2600’s on both breakers.
Rayner Santana, RHP
eligible, 6-0, 175
Santana pitched twice in the DR, and truthfully impressed most on the second day. His 93 MPH fastball velo was good for best in the event, and he also flashed a four-pitch mix that showed a slider about 15 percent of the time and a curveball about ten percent. Our scouts have him “profiling as a back end starter if the secondary material ticks up who has value as a swing guy and can be a mid reliever,” and see some upside here with potential velo jumps as physical development continues. Santana turns 21 in October.
Farly Peralta, RHP (Catala)
eligible, 6-0, 180
Peralta truthfully was not one of the top five graded pitchers at the event, but popped for me in his brief outing. One of three pitchers to touch 92 or higher, his 2491 average fastball spin rate was the highest of any arm we saw in March, and he mixed his three offerings well, using a curveball and changeup for about half of his pitches in our look at him. His 2791 average spin rate on his curveball was also an event best. Peralta is still only 18 years old and turns 19 in September, there’s a lot to like here moving forward.
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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