Ever feel overwhelmed by the amount of prospects that you need to keep up with? With so many levels, it can be hard at times, but the Pitcher List dynasty team has you covered. With content from prospect breakdowns to rankings, to deep dives, we cover it all. Following up on my last article breaking down Dominican Summer League Hitters, this article takes a look at four pitchers from the DSL last season that need to be on dynasty manager’s radars.
Redinson Gomez, RHP, COL
2023 DSL: 45.2 IP | 2.56 ERA | 0.96 WHIP | 27.1 K% | 5.0 BB%
Gomez has been in the Rockies’ organization since he signed in the 2021 International Class. This season, he posted a 2.56 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP. His 27.1% strikeout rate was his best as a professional, and he held hitters to a .193 average against. Gomez also generated a 43.0% CSW and 34.8% swinging-strike rate. 2023 was his third stint in the DSL and his most effective. After all, Gomez debuted in the DSL as a 16-year-old, finishing with a 3.38 ERA in 26 2/3 innings in 2021.
Gomez is a lean 6’2″, 170lb right-hander from Venezuela. Gomez split time in the rotation and out of the bullpen in 2021 and 2023 while exclusively starting in 2022. He has a three-pitch mix consisting of a mid-90s fastball, sinking changeup, and slider. His delivery is smooth and repeatable with an athletic finish. 2024 should be the year that Gomez arrives stateside to play in Complex ball.
Enniel Cortez, RHP, MIL
2023 DSL: 45.2 IP | 1.58 ERA |0.88 WHIP | 27.8 K% | 2.8 BB%
Cortez made his DSL debut this summer as a newly turned 17-year-old. He dominated DSL hitters, producing a 25.0% strikeout-minus-walk rate, and limited hitters to a .199 average against. His 45.7% CSW and 40.4% swinging-strike rate are also impressive, especially when you consider an 83.2% swing rate against him. He walked just five hitters and allowed one home run, two impressive stats for a kid barely old enough to drive. Due to his age, Cortez will likely spend at least one more year in the DSL before coming stateside to make his domestic debut.
At 6’0″, 180 lbs., the young right-hander has plenty of room to grow into his projectable frame. Cortez primarily throws three pitches: his four-seam fastball, a devastating slider, and a fading changeup. He deploys the slider at the backfoot of left-handed hitters and away from righties. The change fades away from lefties, while the fastball works best up in the zone. With another dominating effort in the DSL next summer, Cortez may be a big riser in the Brewers organization.
Enniel Cortez keeps dominating the DSL 💪
• Best K/BB rate in the DSL (9.8, next best 6.7)
• 4th-lowest BB% (3%)
• Has allowed 8 ER in 54.2 IP with 49 Ks / 5 BBs#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/2EbY1wuYtv— Brewers Player Development (@BrewersPD) August 23, 2023
Adrian Acosta, RHP, LAA
2023 DSL: 46.1 IP | 2.33 ERA | 1.08 WHIP | 34.0 K% | 11.7 BB%
Acosta was part of the Angels’ 2022 International signees, joining Top 150 prospect outfielder Nelson Rada. As a 17-year-old, Acosta debuted in the DSL with a 6.25 ERA and 15% walk rate. This summer, Acosta took a significant step forward, improving his command and cutting his walk rate by 4%. In 46 1/3 innings, Acosta held hitters to a .174 average against and a minuscule .224 SLG. He led the league in ERA (1.17) and finished 3rd in strikeout rate (34%) and strand rate (80.2%). Acosta’s most impressive stat was a 61.0% whiff rate, which rated among the highest in the Complex.
Acosta is a two-pitch pitcher featuring a mid-90s fastball and a curve. The latter has the potential to be a plus offering, while his fastball relies on pinpoint command and control. If Acosta can improve on his control, he has an outside shot at remaining a starter. However, there is an obvious reliever risk with Acosta considering he lacks a usable third option.
Emmanuel Martinez, LHP, TEX
2023 DSL: 45.2 IP | 2.17 ERA | 0.99 WHIP | 35.9 K% | 9.4 BB%
Emmanuel Martinez signed with the Rangers as an undrafted free agent in December 2021 at age 18. 2023 was the second trip to the DSL for the 6’1″ southpaw after he posted a 6.49 ERA in 26 1/3 innings last season. This time around was much smoother for Martinez. He improved in every statistical category, including cutting his hits-per-nine and walks-per-nine rates in half without sacrificing his strikeouts. Martinez produced a 63.2% whiff rate, a 40.5% swinging-strike rate, and a 50.6% CSW. Even as a repeating player, all of these stats are indicative of his dominance. In addition, Martinez gained experience working out of the bullpen, which may suit him better in the long run.
Adapted by Aaron Polcare (@bearydoesgfx on X)