Through 30+ games of action in the Dominican Winter League, here is a snapshot of some of the top players and how they are performing as well as their potential impact in fantasy baseball leagues in 2012.
Aguilas Cibaenas:
Wilin Roasrio (COL) – Rosario has flashed power in 113 at bats with six home runs and 28 runs batted in. He is going to need to cut down on his strikeouts however if he expects to have a chance to with the Colorado Rockies catching job with 35 strikeouts and only seven walks.
Brian Bogusevic (HOU) – a sleeper pick in NL-only formats in 2012 as he will see the majority of at bats as a left-handed platoon outfielder for the Houston Astros. He is hitting .301 in 103 at bats with four home runs and four stolen bases.
Estrellas de Oriente:
Brandon Allen (OAK) – the Oakland Athletics have a hole at first base and they are waiting for one of the candidates to take hold of the job but I am not sure Allen is going to be able to hit well enough to do that. He is struggling in winter ball with a .143 batting average and 17 strikeouts in 49 at bats. He still has power (two home runs, six RBI), but is not making enough contact to be a full-time starter yet.
Gigantes del Cibao:
Jimmy Paredes (HOU) – Paredes is hitting .289 with a home run and 15 RBI in 90 at bats this winter. He still has some work to do on his plate discipline with 23 strikeouts in 90 at bats and only six walks. On the plus side, he does have four stolen bases and could steal 10-15 bags in full-time action with the Astros this season.
Leones del Escogido:
Brandon Belt (SF) – Belt is hitting .300 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 100 at bats to go with four stolen bases. He has also drawn 16 walks while striking out 19 times. The Giants really need more punch in their lineup so I expect Belt to have a good shot to claim left field over Andres Torres.
Brett Wallace (HOU) – with Carlos Lee locked in at first base in Houston for another season, there is no room for Wallace in the lineup even if he was hitting at some point. Wallace is hitting just .173 in 52 at bats with two home runs and nine RBI.
Tigres del Licey:
Juan Francisco (CIN) – he is hitting .331 in 124 at bats with three home runs and 17 RBI. With Scott Rolen under contract for another season, he is going to have to wait for an injury or hope for a trade to see significant playing time in 2012.
Jerry Sands (LAD) – batting .250 in 72 at bats with two home runs and 12 RBI and 20 strikeouts. With Juan Rivera back in the fold and Tony Gwynn Jr. in the outfield, there is no room in the Dodgers outfield for Sands at the moment.
Toros del Este:
Matt Hague (PIT) – hitting .282 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 110 at bats. He is old for a prospect at 26, but has hit .302 for his career in the minor leagues with a combined 27 home runs over the last two seasons. Despite the fact that Pedro Alvarez and Josh Harrison are ahead of him on the Pirates depth chart, he is a name to keep in mind in NL-only leagues for the reserve part of the draft or auction.
