The Dominican Winter League had their annual prospect draft last night and it was no surprise to see Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres organization go first overall to the Estrellas Orientales.
In total, 119 players were selected by the six Dominican teams with two of them coming from the New York Mets organization.
Right-handed reliever Adonis Uceta was taken in the eighth round by the Leones del Escogido.
Uceta, 23, went 6-0 this year with 14 saves, 1.51 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 59.2 combined innings between the Columbia Fireflies, St. Lucie Mets and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.
He will join Rafael Montero and Luis Mateo on the Leones del Escogido squad that is also led by Rumble Ponies manager Luis Rojas.
Right-handed starter Harol Gonzalez was drafted in the eleventh round by the Gigantes del Cibao.
Gonzalez, 22, went 9-9 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 100 strikeouts in 137.2 combined innings between the Columbia Fireflies and the St. Lucie Mets this year.
Jeurys Familia pitched for the Gigantes last season and their new manager is Pedro Lopez. Lopez spent the 2017 as the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s manager.
Hey Michael do you think if the Mets offered a package of Dom Smith, Justin Dunn, and Jose Medina they could pry Michael Fulmer away from the Tigers…. I know it would be tough… If not that package any other you think would be more attractive for the Tiger (not including Rosario or Gimenez)?
Michael, this is great stuff and much appreciated. Any idea what date(s) the other winter leagues hold their drafts? I’d love to follow this more closely if I can.