ESPN Digital takes a look at the most promising prospects that will be fighting for the top picks in the LIDOM Rookie Draft.
Just hours away from the first LIDOM Rookie Draft in the "Free Agency Era" of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM), nothing has been decided yet regarding who will be the overall first pick by the Leones del Escogido, who obtained that pick after finishing last in the standings in the previous winter baseball season in the Dominican Republic.
Due to the particularities of the LIDOM, it is difficult to predict with certainty the direction that teams will take in the draft, as factors such as the immediate or future availability of the prospect, the depth of the selecting team in certain positions, their relationship with Major League teams in the case of selecting a minor league player, are just some of the elements that come into consideration when choosing a player, especially in the early rounds of the draft.
However, there are standout names that have been mentioned as probable early selections. ESPN Digital has thoroughly analyzed the list of 304 eligible players to determine the top five prospects that are likely to be contending for the top picks.
JUNIOR CAMINERO
Caminero is the number one prospect of the Tampa Bay Rays (6th overall in MLB) and given the relationship the team has with the Leones del Escogido, he seems like a safe bet to be selected as the top overall pick in the 2023 LIDOM Draft.
The 20-year-old player is considered one of the elite hitters in the minor leagues, and his performance in 2023 is proof of that. In 113 games between Advanced-A and Double-A, the infielder batted .330 with a .997 OPS, 31 home runs, and 94 RBIs.
SAMUEL BASALLO
Samuel Basallo is the number five prospect of the Baltimore Orioles (46th in MLB). The young player is the highest international bonus the MLB team has given on the international market ($1.3 million), and in his first season in the minor leagues, he has shown impressive progress.
The catcher played his first 111 games between Class A (both levels) and Double-A, rewarding the Orioles' investment with a season in which he batted .306 with a .941 OPS, 222 total bases, 125 doubles, 20 home runs, and 84 RBIs. He has a good ability to control the strike zone, as shown by his 93 strikeouts and 60 walks.
THAYRON LIRANZO
Liranzo is another highly expected catcher in the 2023 LIDOM Draft. The player is the 18th prospect of the Los Angeles Dodgers and has shown improvements in each of the levels he has played so far.
During his first season in Class A, he played 94 games and achieved the best numbers of his young career with a .273 batting average, .962 OPS, 24 home runs, and 70 RBIs. Defensively, he has caught 31 percent of the runners who have attempted to steal bases against him, but his 11 errors in 678 innings and his inconsistency in blocking and framing pitches put him at a disadvantage compared to other catchers.
JOSUE DE PAULA
This outfielder is the seventh prospect of the Dodgers, and if there's one thing he showed in his first year in MiLB, it's that he knows how to hit. The Dominican player had a .284 average and a .794 OPS, but his greatest attribute, in addition to his contact hitting, is his speed on the bases, stealing 14 bags in 17 attempts.
At just 18 years old, he has a lot of room to grow and develop, making him a player who can contribute immediately to any team that chooses him.
AGUSTÍN RAMÍREZ
Another catcher makes it into the top five players in the 2023 LIDOM Draft, which is an unusual position for Dominican players. However, this year's group looks to be special.
Ramírez belongs to the New York Yankees, and during his 2023 season, he demonstrated offensive abilities, hitting 18 home runs with a .274 average and .826 OPS in 111 games. Additionally, he has shown above-average defense, making him an interesting piece for any team and one of the most intriguing prospects of this year.