Around the DSL: Young Yankees Struggle

Mandatory Credit: dsl.com

It was a mixed bag for the Baby Bombers south of the border this week. The Dominican Summer League Yankees 1 team plummeted, while the DSL Yankees 2 kept pace with the top of the pack. Here are the highs and the lows of the week that was as we go Around the DSL.

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE: BOCA CHICA SOUTH

The DSL Yankees 1 had a disastrous week. After sitting in first place for the first two weeks of the season, a 1-5 week dropped them to 15-11 overall, tied for second, and two games out of first. 19-year-old left fielder Pedro Urena continues to be the MVP on offense. The young slugger had five hits this week, including a home run and three RBI. He’s now batting .312 on the season. Catcher Jerry Seitz also had a big week for the DSL Yanks 1. He, too, amassed five hits and a home run, raising his season average to .329. The pitching staff has been a bit shaky, but 19-year old sensation Raudy Guzman has been phenomenal. Now at 2-0, the 6’1”, 211 pound, intimidating righty has a microscopic 0.72 ERA while striking out 28 and walking just one batter over 25 innings on the young season. 21-year old righty Daris Vargas has also been strong in the rotation. He sits at 3-2 with a 2.60 ERA and 23 strikeouts on the season.

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE BOCA CHICA NORTH

The DSL Yankees 2 continue to sit atop the leaderboard for the Boca Chica North division. A 3-3 week puts them at 16-10 on the season, alone in third place and six games out of first. 18-year old sensation center/left fielder Andy Diaz continues to pace the offense. He had 9 hits on the week, hitting in six of the seven games played. Amid a five game hitting streak, Diaz sits at .352 with three home runs and 24 RBI. Fellow 18-year old prospect LF Carlos Vidal had a scorching hot week. Vidal had 12 hits and four RBI on the week to raise his season average to .382. 20-year old Abel Duarte continues to be the “ace” of this young staff. As the DSL starters have yet to be stretched out, wins are hard to come by. Duarte sits at 0-0, with a 2.37 ERA and a 14 K/ 7 BB ratio over 19 innings. Rolando Calvo ad Rodrigo Cortez lead the staff with three wins a piece.