Here are the top prospects to follow in winter ball this year
Josh Jackson
@JoshJacksonMiLBAs a quiet chill settles across the ballparks of the United States and Canada for the next few months, baseball is just getting started at stadiums across Latin America.
From now through the Caribbean Series in February, winter leagues feature some of the world's top talent -- with rosters already including ranked prospects from 16 Major League organizations.
The Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM), Venezuelan Winter League (VWL), Mexican Pacific League (LMP) and Puerto Rican Winter League (LBPRC) -- which begins play Nov. 3 -- offer plenty of ways to survive until pitchers and catchers report. They're all must-follows for any fan who wants to see some of the most promising prospects in baseball compete alongside veterans and get developmental opportunities beyond the possibilities available during the Minor League season.
As a reminder, Dominican Winter League games are included as part of MLB.TV's Postseason Package, which is available for $24.99. LIDOM games will be broadcast exclusively in Spanish. The games will be live-streamed but not archived. There will be TV broadcasts, but no radio broadcasts.
You can watch the games on the MLB app or online at MLB.com. You can find the full streaming schedule for the 2023 LIDOM season here.
Here are the top prospects to watch:
Jackson Chourio, OF, ?Aguilas del Zulia (VWL), MIL No. 1, MLB No. 2
Beginning the season as the youngest player at the Double-A level, the 19-year-old Chourio finished it with the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate in Nashville. After slugging 22 homers and stealing 44 bases across the two levels, Chourio returns for his third season playing winter ball in his home country. He played for Zulia in 12 games during the 2021-22 campaign and 21 games last year.
Junior Caminero, 3B/SS, Leones del Escogido (LIDOM), TB No. 1, MLB No. 6
Caminero turned 20 on July 5, by which point he'd already proved too much for the High-A level (.356/.409/.685 over 36 games) and begun tormenting Double-A pitchers (.305/.370/.505 over his first 29 games). He finished the year with seven games in the bigs (also getting into two postseason games) -- and logged his first MLB home run to go with the 31 dingers he crushed during the Minor League season. His only pro winter ball experience before now came in the Australian Baseball League last year, when he helped the Perth Heat reach the Championship Series.
Marco Luciano, SS, Leones del Escogido (LIDOM), SF No. 2, MLB No. 26
Having broken through to the Major Leagues for 14 games this year, Luciano joins Caminero on the Santo Domingo-based Leones. The Giants' shortstop played for the Estrellas Orientales club last winter and was a solid performer for Scottsdale in the 2021 Arizona Fall League.
Orelvis Martinez, SS, Tigres del Licey (LIDOM), TOR No. 2, MLB No. 88
Some folks might have thought they had Martinez's profile figured out when, after hitting 30 home runs but posting a .286 OBP for Double-A New Hampshire in 2022, he returned to the level and had 11 homers but only 21 total hits through May 2023. From June 1 on, though, the Toronto phenom posted a .272 batting average while slugging 14 more homers over 84 games -- 55 of them with Triple-A Buffalo. He'll look to continue to put it all together with Licey.
Carlos De La Cruz, OF, Gigantes del Cibao (LIDOM), PHI No. 6
The 6-foot-8 product of New York City's George Washington High belted 24 homers and collected 25 doubles for Double-A Reading in the regular season. He was also a standout in the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League in 2022.
Juan Brito, INF, Toros del Este (LIDOM), CLE No. 6
Brito raked over three seasons in the Rockies' system, and he's hit well in the Cleveland organization after coming to the Guardians in the trade for Nolan Jones last November. The 22-year-old put up a .271/.377/.434 line while climbing to Triple-A Columbus this year, also.
Jonatan Clase, OF, Toros del Este (LIDOM), SEA No. 8
The 21-year-old speed demon put up a flat-out historic season with 79 stolen bases and 20 home runs over 129 Minor League games -- 108 with Double-A Arkansas. Look for him to flash that power-speed combo with the Toros.
Willy Vasquez, INF, Estrellas Orientales (LIDOM), TB No. 10
Relatively unheralded as an amateur, Vasquez has separated himself since signing with the Rays in 2019. He's shown he has the potential to become a competent defender at third base at the Major League level while also getting reps at shortstop and second base, and his ability to drive the ball and swipe bags has shown up in the Minors. Vasquez was 13-for-37 (.351) for Australia's Perth team in winter ball last year.
Angel Mart¨ªnez, INF, Estrellas Orientales (LIDOM), CLE No. 10
Known for a baseball IQ that helped him reach the Double-A level at age 20 in 2022, Mart¨ªnez drilled 14 homers, five triples and 23 doubles while playing his way up to Triple-A this season. He also played in 21 games in the AFL last autumn.
More prospects to keep an eye on:
Dane Myers, OF/3B/1B, Gigantes del Cibao (LIDOM), MIA No. 13
Alexander Canario, OF, Aguilas Cibaenas (LIDOM), CHC No. 14
Eguy Rosario, 2B/SS/3B, Estrellas Orientales (LIDOM), SD No. 14
C¨¦sar Prieto, INF, Aguilas Cibaenas (LIDOM), STL No. 14
Jos¨¦ Tena, SS, Estrellas Orientales (LIDOM), CLE No. 14
Diego Hernandez, OF, Gigantes del Cibao (LIDOM), KC No. 15
Hector Rodriguez, OF, Leones del Escogido (LIDOM), CIN No. 16
Jose Salas, INF, Aguilas del Zulia (VWL), MIN No. 17
Jared Serna, 2B/SS, Charros de Jalisco (LMP), NYY No. 20
Wilfred Veras, OF, Estrellas Orientales (LIDOM), CWS No. 21
Jadher Areinamo, INF, Tiburones de La Guaira (VWL), MIL No. 21
Tirso Ornelas, OF, Mayos de Navojoa (LMP), SD No. 30
Tristin English, 1B/OF, Tigres del Licey (LIDOM), ARI No. 30