SF Giants prospects: 2023 Dominican Summer League season review
After more than two months of action, the SF Giants' Felipe Alou Academy in the Dominican Republic has closed its doors for the 2023 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season. Unfortunately, both Giants' DSL affiliates failed to reach the playoffs. Still, there were plenty of highlights from the season, and both affiliates finished above .500.
SF Giants prospects season recap: Rayner Arias' scorching start
The biggest story of the 2023 DSL Giants season is the white-hot start from 2023 top international signing Rayner Arias (Giants #6 prospect). Arias only played in 16 games, but they were memorable. In that short time, he racked up six doubles, two triples, four home runs, four stolen bases, a .414 batting average, a 1.332 OPS, and a 230 wRC+. He was as advertised, if not better, as he's showed an advanced feel for hitting coupled with burgeoning power potential.
Unfortunately, his season ended before the calendar flipped to July after spraining his wrist while attempting to make a diving catch in the outfield. The Giants erred on the side of caution and had him flown to the United States to get treated. The precocious outfielder should be fully healthy come offseason instructs and should continue to show the exciting potential that he has. He could follow in the footsteps of Marco Luciano as the organization's next great power-hitting Giants prospect.
SF Giants prospects season recap: DSL All-Stars
Two Giants prospects played in the DSL All-Star game on July 30. They were outfielder Moises de la Rosa and catcher Anyelo Gonzalez. Both were teammates with the Giants Black team and Gonzalez drove in a run as he went 1-2 while de la Rosa did not have an official at-bat.
de la Rosa was one of the best-performing prospects for the Giants in the DSL this season with seven doubles, two triples, a team-leading five home runs, a .873 OPS, and a .286 batting average. The outfielder repeated the DSL this year and posted identical walk and strikeout rates as last season.
Like de la Rosa, Gonzalez was also one of the best-performing Giants prospects in the Dominican with five doubles, two triples, three home runs, three stolen bases, a .291 batting average, and a .781 OPS. Aside from being the primary catcher, Gonzalez also spent time at first base, second base, left field, and in center field. That versatility could prove to be incredibly valuable when he presumably continues his pro journey stateside next season.
SF Giants prospects season recap: Orange no-no
On July 27th, DSL Giants Orange pitchers Jose Rengel and Ken Salas combined to throw a seven-inning no-hitter against the DSL Phillies Red. Rengel threw five hitless innings with four strikeouts and a walk, while Salas finished the game with two perfect innings with a couple of strikeouts.
Rengel has been one of the better pitchers in an otherwise disappointing corps for both Giants affiliates with 38 strikeouts in 38.2 innings of work. Even though he finished the season with a 4.42 ERA, he was excellent in the latter stages of the season with a 0.95 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 19 innings of work across his last five outings.
Already 22 years old, Salas might be considered old for the level but he's had a solid run to finish his 2023 season with 10 strikeouts and three saves in his final seven appearances. Expect both pitchers to be in Arizona next year.
SF Giants prospects season recap: Other DSL standouts
For the hitting side, Luis Frias had a .301 batting average, 15 doubles, a triple, three home runs, and 18 steals in his repeat of the level this season. He has a lead-off profile if he can control his strikeouts (22.3%). Angel Guzman hit four home runs as well as 11 doubles, two triples, and also stole six bases. Dario Reynoso was one of the more interesting infielders with eight doubles, a triple, three home runs, and a perfect 12-12 in stolen base opportunities while playing all over the infield. Jose Astudillo might be the most interesting of all the prospects with a .363 batting average, six doubles, two triples, and 10 stolen bases, though he's already in his third season in the DSL.
On the pitching side, 21-year-old Jorge Martinez continued to improve in terms of performance with a 1.69 ERA, two saves, and 37 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched. Jose Bello is one of the more interesting pitchers in the academy, with a 1.69 ERA and 39 strikeouts against just 10 walks in 33 innings pitched. Ankeily Feliz had a much better second stint in the DSL with a 2.14 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 33.2 innings pitched.
