VSL Opening Day

1. VSL/DSL

May 14th is day one for the Venezuelan Summer League where the Phillies are defending champs.  The initial roster for the season has been posted at the minor league baseball web site:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ros&cid=661

New players on the roster include the following:

Raul Romero – RHP – age 20 – 6’2″ 165

Kirlian Campo – LHP – age 16 – 6’0″ 180

Jesus Pirela – RHP – age 18 – 6’0″ 152

Francisco Diaz – C (switch-hitter) – age 17 – 5’10” 158

Cesar Hernandez – SS (switch) – age 16 – 5’10” 166

Nelson Sosa – SS – age 17 – 5’11” 148

Luis Martinez – OF – age 17 – 6’5″ 183 – Big kid

Winder Torres – OF – age 16 – 5’11” 160

Not much is known of the new prospects.  In most years there have also been numerous additions to the roster over the course of the season.  A good sign is that most of these new prospects are young (age 16 or 17).  In years past the roster has had more 20+ year old players that are non-prospects.  That being said, some of the holdovers are most likely to be the top performers this year.  Carlos Medrano and Berman Espinoza are two projectible arms to watch.  Bruno Doi will be at the center of the offense along with holdovers like Harold Garcia, Yonderman Rodriguez and Benjamin Oviedo.

7 thoughts on “VSL Opening Day”

  1. Martinez looks interesting. 5’11, 160 as a 16 year old offers some projectability (think Jose Tabata), but the fact that Romero is 20 I guess makes him a bit less significant, but Martinez is already 6’5, 183 lbs as a 17 year old….hmmm, I like it. Campo being 6’0, 180 at age 16 is also pretty notable, and he’s a lefty…possible plus velocity there? Should be interesting to watch.

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  2. Yes, my impression too is that they are much younger than in
    years past. I hope that’s a good sign. It’ll be fun to follow
    once again. Thanks.

    When does the DSL get underway?

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  3. The DSL web site is under construction currently, but usually the season opens either the first or second weekend in June. I am also intrigued by Martinez. It seems every position prospect we sign is a smallish middle infielder or speedy outfielder. Hopefully this kid has enough speed to play in the OF long term.

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  4. Also noticed Torres led off and played CF (1-4, 3B, BB). He might be someone to watch as a 16-year-old.

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  5. Raul Romero played last year, but thats not significant. That a 16 year old hit a homer for the venezuela phils is something else- you can go weeks without seeing a homer from them in years past.

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  7. DSL starts on Saturday (June 2nd). I’ll post some updates as soon as we get a roster. Look for a VSL update shortly.

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