Enough time has passed from our latest appearance in the Dominican Republic that it’s time to start digging through the scouting reports and see who our staff thought were the true standouts from an ambitious, but successful three venues in three days event that saw us take a look at a whopping 12 different teams.
In the first installment of what should be several posts, here’s a look at a handful of names you need to know.
Manuel Perez (pictured)
A 16-year-old righty out of Marmolejos, Perez was one of the highest rated players at the event regardless of position. A 6-foot-2, 185-pounder, he pitched on the first day at the Hacienda Rancho Maravilla location in La Penda. Not set to turn 17 until September, he flashed a three-pitch mix that included a fastball (86-88), low 70’s curveball and changeup that sat between 76-79. In the usual abbreviated look we get at these type of things, he was consistent in throwing strikes with all three offerings and is able to work in and out of the zone. Our scouts see him as a “future starter with athleticism, strength and durability” but believe there’s a high ceiling here so long as he’s able to continue to develop shoulder strength to prevent injury thanks to a longer arm action out of a three-quarter slot.
Rohalby Mendoza
A 17-year-old righty out of Ray Academy, which is where we saw him on our second day on the island, Mendoza impressed quickly. He profiles “as a back end starter with swing versatility to be value mid relief guy” per our scouts and flashed a fastball that was up to 88 with a high 70’s slider and low 80’s change from a 6-foot-2 and 170-pound frame. He has “true feel of all three offerings that will tick up” and our scouts believe “he has pitch ability, arm talent, athletic ability and projection.”
Weilyn Garcia Baldera
Garcia Baldera was another arm we saw on the first day, this one pitching on the Catala squad. Another righty with a three-pitch selection that saw him mix in a mid 80’s fastball, low 70’s curve and low 80’s change, he showed a repeatable delivery and threw everything for strikes over his five-batter session. A “potential starter with a big fastball to come with time” per our scouts, he has “the arm speed and actions to really grow” and impressed with advanced feel to pitch at a younger age.
Adonis Luciano
With a name like Adonis, he’s got to be good. No worries in that department. This is our fourth look at the K&J outfielder, a 16-year-old righty bat who won’t turn 17 until October. The six-foot-three, 185-pounder debuted with the Future Stars Series in our October visit to the island and then made back-to-back signature event appearances at the World Combine and Caribbean Classic. Per scout grades, this was his best overall showing, with a glowing report coming out of this event that shows several future 60’s. Those include both power and running, with a stunning 6.75 60 to his name two weeks ago. Our scouts see a potential above average big league right or center fielder here. He “impacts baseball with bat speed and strength (and has a) lofted barrel path, accurate barrel…loud sound off bat with carry…projectable 30 HR guy.”
Shneider De La Cruz
A 15-year-old infielder out of Roy Gomez who we saw on our second day at Ray Academy, De La Cruz popped regardless of his young age. Scouts were talking about him often throughout the day, and high grades for the switch-hitting six-foot, 150-pounder came as no surprise. A 6.94 runner at the 60-yard dash, our scouts believe De La Cruz profiles as a potential every day big-league shortstop. They see a “looser stroke from left side” with “doubles type power” and saw him flash “true hands and smooth footwork on defense (with a) quick glove to transfer with matching footwork…throws from all slots and on the move with accuracy.”
Javier Artiaga
Artiaga was one of my personal favorites this trip, and wowed with a play from behind the plate where he reached to his backhand and threw a runner out from his knees with a 2.03 to second base. As you can see in the above video, it’s something he works on. This was our second look at the catcher out of Nelsy Brito, but we didn’t get to see a defensive workout in our March visit to the island given some rain. As such, his grades went up a a bit, with a stunning 70 attached to his future throwing after the display we saw. Better yet? He’s just 14 years old, with an August birthday for the 6-foot-1, 160-pound backstop. A 7.32 60 runner, our scouts see a “future everyday catcher with power and feel for the barrel” who has “the arm strength and accuracy to control the running game…his athleticism behind the plate plays and gives him the opportunity to be an impact defender.”
Gerlin Miliano
Miliano is another player we’re familiar with, but we hadn’t seen him for a while; he was in attendance at our first two visits back to the DR in August and October. An outfielder out of the Caraballo program, is a 14-year-old lefty bat outfielder with a multitude of tools. He put down a 6.87 60 and also showed “a loose easy arm that hits his targets with strength and will grow with time” per our scouts. He has a lean build with lots of projection left, and our scouts see a potential “future everyday outfielder with a chance to stay in center, and at least average tools across the board.”
Snow Del Rosario
Like Artiaga, Del Rosario was another player scouts were very eager to get a second look at after we first saw him in March, with his defensive work also getting washed out by rain. Out of Felix A. Aguero Mercedes’ program, the 15-year-old already has a 6-foot-4 and 175-pound frame with the power to match; our scouts put a future 55 on his power grade following yet another prolific display during BP on our last day on the island. Still a 7.18 runner at his size, there’s a “long projection on the body with athleticism and room to fill out and grow” per our scouts. They see an every day player with a chance to stick in center “with the ability to hit and stick in CF (and) his athleticism and frame leave a lot of natural upside.”
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.
Connect with New Balance Future Stars Series by visiting our website, www.futurestarsseries.com, by visiting our YouTube page, and by checking out the social media channels below.
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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.
