2027 West Indies Short League Stars and Disappointments
Mar 18, 2022 12:40:31 GMT -5
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Post by Commissioner Erick on Mar 18, 2022 12:40:31 GMT -5
The West Indies Short League saw an offensive explosion with teams running .400+ BABIPs in an already juiced offensive environment. Some of the offensive numbers were astounding. Let’s take a look.
3B: Joe Kelley—Brewers
Last year’s champs, and winners of three of the last four titles, the Dominica Parrots were paced by Joe Kelley and his league-leading .449 average. Kelley hit 23 doubles, drove in 71, and walked 25 times compared to 29 strikeouts. He was the runner up for the league’s MVP.
The 2021 sixth rounder had been in the league since 2024, but always as a bit player. Two of the four seasons, he didn’t start a game. He doesn’t have a big league future, but his contact and speed are good, even if his lack of a position on the field and lack of power limit him. He’d be best served as a backup in A-Ball next year.
1B: Danny Hernandez—Royals
An eighth round pick in 2028, Hernandez had a rough first pro year in the Pioneer League, hitting .173. He bossted that to .397 in Puerto Rico, clubbing 39 home runs, driving in 96, and walked 58 times to 62 strikeouts. The home run total shattered Eddie Vogler’s previous high of 26 set in 2023, and already has him third all-time in home runs in the league despite spending one season in the West Indies.
Hernandez’ power is real, and he has a good approach too. Both OSA and Bill Schmidt see him playing in High-A next year. Given the lack of defense, OSA sees him topping out as a Double-A slugger, or Triple-A backup, but Schmidt sees enough home run power and a difference-making approach that could at least get him to start at Triple-A. The hit tool will determine what happens to Hernandez after that, but he looks like a strong pickup as an eighth-rounder.
RF: Bryan Hoffman—Brewers
Hoffman set a league record with 111 RBIs, hitting 25 home runs, clubbing 20 doubles, and hitting .383 in the process. Hoffman also played a decent Right Field and had four outfield assists.
Hoffman was a 14th round pick in 2024, but he’s hit throughout the minors and is ready for full-season ball. Neither Bill Schmidt nor OSA love Hoffman’s future, and see a Double-A player. With his power and arm, he’d be a pretty good one though.
SS: Justice Thomas—Brewers
Thomas was a third round pick in 2026 who has impressed for Milwaukee. His .615 OPS in the 2026 Arizona Rookie League somehow qualified for a 119 OPS+, and good Shortstop defense gave him 1.8 WAR. This year in Dominica, the defense remained good, he upped his steals to 12 (albeit with nine times thrown out), and he hit .358 with more walks than strikeouts, culminating in a .489 OBP. With all the times on base, he led the league with 101 runs, the first time the 100 run barrier was crossed in the West Indies.
Thomas has a chance at the pros, but it’s not an automatic. Scouts don’t love his actions at Short, and eventually see a move to Second Base. He also doesn’t have a great hit tool. He runs well though, which always helps. OSA sees good power and a very good eye for a middle infielder, which may be enough for Triple-A. Bill Schmidt sees a tremendous eye at the plate and good gap power. He’s likely a Triple-A upside player for now, but Milwaukee has an excellent development system. If the hit tool jumps a little, Thomas is a likely major leaguer.
CF: Austin Scriven—Reds
Scriven’s surface numbers look better than they are as the run environment isn’t that jazzed over an .826 OPS. Scriven did hit .307 with a .396 OBP, but he also struck out 61 times. He was awful defensively, with a -4.0 Zone Rating as well. What he did do was run. He stole 33 bases in 43 attempts to lead the league, plus he had five triples. These were all career highs for his three years in Cuba.
Scriven was once drafted in the 14th round by the Cardinals and immediately cut after the 2022 draft. He’s been nice for the Reds, but doesn’t have much upside. He probably shouldn’t be called up, and should see if he can improve his OPS+ next year. Wherever Scriven does play next year—he should do so in Left Field.
SS: Randy Morello—Reds
Morello had a nice year with a 7.6 Zone Rating at Shortstop and a 2.0 rating in Center Field combining to be the best Zone Rating in the league. The sixth rounder from Arizona State also hit decently with a .333 average and .403 on-base percentage. Morello didn’t have power, but a great glove and an ability to get on base is a good toolset.
OSA likes Morello’s defense, but doesn’t like his bat, seeing a low-minors player only. Bill Schmidt doesn’t see a dynamic bat either, but really likes the approach to go with the defense. He’ll likely top out in Double-A, and may repeat Short-A next year to work on his power, but Morello is more intriguing than most light-bat/no-power prospects.
P: Jose Espada—Brewers
Espada led the league in ERA, Wins, Strikeouts, Innings, and WAR—which makes sense as he was 30-years-old and nearly a decade older tan most of his competition. He dominated with an 11-1 mark and a 2.92 ERA because he was more advanced than his competition. Despite pitching in Double-A most of the early part of the decade—and pitching well, the Brewers placed him short-season ball where he dominated the competition.
Espada should likely be pitching in a Triple-A bullpen or an International League rotation. Anything else is a waste of everyone’s time.
P: Joel Huertas—Brewers
Huertas was second in the league in WAR, which makes sense considering he pitched in the league as a 31-year-old. More physically developed than his opponents, he allowed just eight walks and five home runs to hitters nearly a decade younger than him. Huertas was a Midwest League All-Star the year prior, and two years ago was the second best reliever in the Midwest League, yet Luke Grimmelbein saw fit to have him start in Short-A.
Huertas has a 4.40 PBA ERA, with two Saves, plus he’s pitched well in international competition in the WBC. He should be starting in Triple-A Next year, instead of wasting his time in Short-A.
P: Luke Brueggeman—Royals
A 12th round pick by Kansas City in 2025, Brueggeman has showed an ability to keep the ball in the park and to strike out hitters. He whiffed 36 in 27.1 innings this past year, allowing just one home run to tie for the league lead in Saves with 12.
Brueggeman throws four pitches, but a lack of stamina, and changeup that hasn’t developed, likely limits him to the bullpen. He doesn’t have more than High-A upside, but it might be worth testing him in a-ball next year.
P: Franklin Zubiate—Dodgers
A discovery out of the Dominican Republic in 2024, Zubiate has pitched in Jamaica since 2025, mostly quite badly. This was his first year with a positive WAR has he led the league with 12 holds. He gave up four homers in 33 innings, and walked 14, slightly elevated marks. He did strike out 37 though, to finish with positive WAR despite an 8.45 ERA.
Zubiate still needs a lot of development time for his command, and will pitch next year as a 20-year old. He’s been challenged in A-ball in his career, but has struggled in two stints. Though he doesn’t touch higher than the low 90s, the arm action is real allowing his changeup to play up. Bill Schmidt sees a Double-A arm. OSA sees a Triple-A arm. With his 21st birthday still ahead of him, Zubiate sees the PBA.
P: Alex Luvianos—Royals
Luvianos was a 23rd round pick in 2023 and just had the third best WAR in the West Indies. The surface level numbers weren’t great with a BABIP-aided 5.83 ERA, but he went 5-5 allowing only three homers and walking seven versus 62 strikeouts.
Neither OSA nor Bill Schmidt see much there with his stuff or movement, but Bill Schmidt likes his control. He’ll likely see A-ball next year, but it’s not a guarantee.
P: Alfonso Acevedo—Dodgers
Dodgers was brutalized in Rancho Cucamonga in the California League, with a 7.22 ERA and a 0-5 record. He was great in Jamaica though, with a 3.34 ERA that was second in the league, 72 strikeouts in 64.2 innings, and decent walk numbers. His four pitch combo and excellent changeup was too good for the league, though he hangs pitches all the time.
High-A was too advanced for him, but Acevedo clearly is no match for the West Indies Short League. Expect a call to the Great Lakes Loons as a goldilocks level for the 20-year-old.
CF: Jared Lawless—Brewers
Lawless, known around his friends and teammates as Duffman—OHHHHHHH YEEEAAAAAAHHHH!—likely partied too much for Dominica’s coaches, cause he rarely played and wasn’t effective when he did. Regarded as the league’s most talented player, Lawless only had 38 at bats, slugged .342, didn’t homer, and couldn’t get on the field. This was after being an All-Star with 3.0 WAR in the Pioneer League the season prior.
OSA likes Duffman’s speed, defense, and approach, but sees a middling player probably trapped in A-ball. Bill Schmidt likes the approach a bit more, but still sees a backup outfielder in High-A. Lawless will need to play next year—and play well—to get his career back on track.
LF: Jalen McMillian—Twins
A third round pick this year, McMillian struggled defensively in Grenada and didn’t hit for power, overriding the decent surface stats—.320 average, 10 doubles—in the high run environment. McMillian hit well in two Rookie League stops before getting the call for 25 games in the West Indies. A -1.7 Zone Rating on top of a -0.6 in the Gulf Coast League shows that he still has a lot of work to do in Left Field.
McMillian has a good bat and great gap power for the league. He also has a huge arm, but doesn’t take good routes or have a quick first step in the field. Improving that will be a priority for the Twins. He projects to be an impact bat as he has quick wrists that can get to anything. Without much power though, he’ll need to be adequate defensively to make it at the highest levels.
P: Jeremy Sprow—Braves
Sprow struggled in his first stop in pro ball as the Braves first rounder won just one game and had an 8.34 ERA. The stuff was good as he struck out 65 in 49.2 innings, but his command was way off. A .468 BABIP didn’t help, but he also allowed eight home runs, too many for 49.2 innings.
Sprow’s stuff is likely too good for the league, but his control isn’t. He’ll be 25 next year though after spending six years in college, so development is at a premium. He likely showed enough stuff to warrant a promotion to A-Ball. The stuff and movement project to be pretty good, and Sprow can be a number two in the majors according to OSA. If the control doesn’t get there, and the changeup doesn’t develop, he becomes a mid-level reliever according to Bill Schmidt though.
P: Chris Yera—Cardinals
Trixie Yera was awful for Grenada, going 0-3 with a 6.17 ERA in five starts and walking 10 hitters in 23.1 innings. Trixie was a big prospect who pitched well in the Rookie Leagues, and was traded midseason to the Cardinals where he went 5-1 with a 2.65 ERA in State College for the Cardinals’ Low-A affiliate. The biggest change is that Year stopped walking people in State College.
If the control improvement is real, Yera is a big prospect. A former 10th overall pick, he has front-line stuff according to OSA, and the control to pitch in the upper minors right now. Year doesn’t help himself with his stamina or his defense though, so he still needs to prove he can go deep into games. Bill Schmidt thinks Trixie has just enough stamina to stick as a starter, and therefore sees an ace. Expect to see Year jump past A-Ball next year.
3B: Joe Kelley—Brewers
Last year’s champs, and winners of three of the last four titles, the Dominica Parrots were paced by Joe Kelley and his league-leading .449 average. Kelley hit 23 doubles, drove in 71, and walked 25 times compared to 29 strikeouts. He was the runner up for the league’s MVP.
The 2021 sixth rounder had been in the league since 2024, but always as a bit player. Two of the four seasons, he didn’t start a game. He doesn’t have a big league future, but his contact and speed are good, even if his lack of a position on the field and lack of power limit him. He’d be best served as a backup in A-Ball next year.
1B: Danny Hernandez—Royals
An eighth round pick in 2028, Hernandez had a rough first pro year in the Pioneer League, hitting .173. He bossted that to .397 in Puerto Rico, clubbing 39 home runs, driving in 96, and walked 58 times to 62 strikeouts. The home run total shattered Eddie Vogler’s previous high of 26 set in 2023, and already has him third all-time in home runs in the league despite spending one season in the West Indies.
Hernandez’ power is real, and he has a good approach too. Both OSA and Bill Schmidt see him playing in High-A next year. Given the lack of defense, OSA sees him topping out as a Double-A slugger, or Triple-A backup, but Schmidt sees enough home run power and a difference-making approach that could at least get him to start at Triple-A. The hit tool will determine what happens to Hernandez after that, but he looks like a strong pickup as an eighth-rounder.
RF: Bryan Hoffman—Brewers
Hoffman set a league record with 111 RBIs, hitting 25 home runs, clubbing 20 doubles, and hitting .383 in the process. Hoffman also played a decent Right Field and had four outfield assists.
Hoffman was a 14th round pick in 2024, but he’s hit throughout the minors and is ready for full-season ball. Neither Bill Schmidt nor OSA love Hoffman’s future, and see a Double-A player. With his power and arm, he’d be a pretty good one though.
SS: Justice Thomas—Brewers
Thomas was a third round pick in 2026 who has impressed for Milwaukee. His .615 OPS in the 2026 Arizona Rookie League somehow qualified for a 119 OPS+, and good Shortstop defense gave him 1.8 WAR. This year in Dominica, the defense remained good, he upped his steals to 12 (albeit with nine times thrown out), and he hit .358 with more walks than strikeouts, culminating in a .489 OBP. With all the times on base, he led the league with 101 runs, the first time the 100 run barrier was crossed in the West Indies.
Thomas has a chance at the pros, but it’s not an automatic. Scouts don’t love his actions at Short, and eventually see a move to Second Base. He also doesn’t have a great hit tool. He runs well though, which always helps. OSA sees good power and a very good eye for a middle infielder, which may be enough for Triple-A. Bill Schmidt sees a tremendous eye at the plate and good gap power. He’s likely a Triple-A upside player for now, but Milwaukee has an excellent development system. If the hit tool jumps a little, Thomas is a likely major leaguer.
CF: Austin Scriven—Reds
Scriven’s surface numbers look better than they are as the run environment isn’t that jazzed over an .826 OPS. Scriven did hit .307 with a .396 OBP, but he also struck out 61 times. He was awful defensively, with a -4.0 Zone Rating as well. What he did do was run. He stole 33 bases in 43 attempts to lead the league, plus he had five triples. These were all career highs for his three years in Cuba.
Scriven was once drafted in the 14th round by the Cardinals and immediately cut after the 2022 draft. He’s been nice for the Reds, but doesn’t have much upside. He probably shouldn’t be called up, and should see if he can improve his OPS+ next year. Wherever Scriven does play next year—he should do so in Left Field.
SS: Randy Morello—Reds
Morello had a nice year with a 7.6 Zone Rating at Shortstop and a 2.0 rating in Center Field combining to be the best Zone Rating in the league. The sixth rounder from Arizona State also hit decently with a .333 average and .403 on-base percentage. Morello didn’t have power, but a great glove and an ability to get on base is a good toolset.
OSA likes Morello’s defense, but doesn’t like his bat, seeing a low-minors player only. Bill Schmidt doesn’t see a dynamic bat either, but really likes the approach to go with the defense. He’ll likely top out in Double-A, and may repeat Short-A next year to work on his power, but Morello is more intriguing than most light-bat/no-power prospects.
P: Jose Espada—Brewers
Espada led the league in ERA, Wins, Strikeouts, Innings, and WAR—which makes sense as he was 30-years-old and nearly a decade older tan most of his competition. He dominated with an 11-1 mark and a 2.92 ERA because he was more advanced than his competition. Despite pitching in Double-A most of the early part of the decade—and pitching well, the Brewers placed him short-season ball where he dominated the competition.
Espada should likely be pitching in a Triple-A bullpen or an International League rotation. Anything else is a waste of everyone’s time.
P: Joel Huertas—Brewers
Huertas was second in the league in WAR, which makes sense considering he pitched in the league as a 31-year-old. More physically developed than his opponents, he allowed just eight walks and five home runs to hitters nearly a decade younger than him. Huertas was a Midwest League All-Star the year prior, and two years ago was the second best reliever in the Midwest League, yet Luke Grimmelbein saw fit to have him start in Short-A.
Huertas has a 4.40 PBA ERA, with two Saves, plus he’s pitched well in international competition in the WBC. He should be starting in Triple-A Next year, instead of wasting his time in Short-A.
P: Luke Brueggeman—Royals
A 12th round pick by Kansas City in 2025, Brueggeman has showed an ability to keep the ball in the park and to strike out hitters. He whiffed 36 in 27.1 innings this past year, allowing just one home run to tie for the league lead in Saves with 12.
Brueggeman throws four pitches, but a lack of stamina, and changeup that hasn’t developed, likely limits him to the bullpen. He doesn’t have more than High-A upside, but it might be worth testing him in a-ball next year.
P: Franklin Zubiate—Dodgers
A discovery out of the Dominican Republic in 2024, Zubiate has pitched in Jamaica since 2025, mostly quite badly. This was his first year with a positive WAR has he led the league with 12 holds. He gave up four homers in 33 innings, and walked 14, slightly elevated marks. He did strike out 37 though, to finish with positive WAR despite an 8.45 ERA.
Zubiate still needs a lot of development time for his command, and will pitch next year as a 20-year old. He’s been challenged in A-ball in his career, but has struggled in two stints. Though he doesn’t touch higher than the low 90s, the arm action is real allowing his changeup to play up. Bill Schmidt sees a Double-A arm. OSA sees a Triple-A arm. With his 21st birthday still ahead of him, Zubiate sees the PBA.
P: Alex Luvianos—Royals
Luvianos was a 23rd round pick in 2023 and just had the third best WAR in the West Indies. The surface level numbers weren’t great with a BABIP-aided 5.83 ERA, but he went 5-5 allowing only three homers and walking seven versus 62 strikeouts.
Neither OSA nor Bill Schmidt see much there with his stuff or movement, but Bill Schmidt likes his control. He’ll likely see A-ball next year, but it’s not a guarantee.
P: Alfonso Acevedo—Dodgers
Dodgers was brutalized in Rancho Cucamonga in the California League, with a 7.22 ERA and a 0-5 record. He was great in Jamaica though, with a 3.34 ERA that was second in the league, 72 strikeouts in 64.2 innings, and decent walk numbers. His four pitch combo and excellent changeup was too good for the league, though he hangs pitches all the time.
High-A was too advanced for him, but Acevedo clearly is no match for the West Indies Short League. Expect a call to the Great Lakes Loons as a goldilocks level for the 20-year-old.
CF: Jared Lawless—Brewers
Lawless, known around his friends and teammates as Duffman—OHHHHHHH YEEEAAAAAAHHHH!—likely partied too much for Dominica’s coaches, cause he rarely played and wasn’t effective when he did. Regarded as the league’s most talented player, Lawless only had 38 at bats, slugged .342, didn’t homer, and couldn’t get on the field. This was after being an All-Star with 3.0 WAR in the Pioneer League the season prior.
OSA likes Duffman’s speed, defense, and approach, but sees a middling player probably trapped in A-ball. Bill Schmidt likes the approach a bit more, but still sees a backup outfielder in High-A. Lawless will need to play next year—and play well—to get his career back on track.
LF: Jalen McMillian—Twins
A third round pick this year, McMillian struggled defensively in Grenada and didn’t hit for power, overriding the decent surface stats—.320 average, 10 doubles—in the high run environment. McMillian hit well in two Rookie League stops before getting the call for 25 games in the West Indies. A -1.7 Zone Rating on top of a -0.6 in the Gulf Coast League shows that he still has a lot of work to do in Left Field.
McMillian has a good bat and great gap power for the league. He also has a huge arm, but doesn’t take good routes or have a quick first step in the field. Improving that will be a priority for the Twins. He projects to be an impact bat as he has quick wrists that can get to anything. Without much power though, he’ll need to be adequate defensively to make it at the highest levels.
P: Jeremy Sprow—Braves
Sprow struggled in his first stop in pro ball as the Braves first rounder won just one game and had an 8.34 ERA. The stuff was good as he struck out 65 in 49.2 innings, but his command was way off. A .468 BABIP didn’t help, but he also allowed eight home runs, too many for 49.2 innings.
Sprow’s stuff is likely too good for the league, but his control isn’t. He’ll be 25 next year though after spending six years in college, so development is at a premium. He likely showed enough stuff to warrant a promotion to A-Ball. The stuff and movement project to be pretty good, and Sprow can be a number two in the majors according to OSA. If the control doesn’t get there, and the changeup doesn’t develop, he becomes a mid-level reliever according to Bill Schmidt though.
P: Chris Yera—Cardinals
Trixie Yera was awful for Grenada, going 0-3 with a 6.17 ERA in five starts and walking 10 hitters in 23.1 innings. Trixie was a big prospect who pitched well in the Rookie Leagues, and was traded midseason to the Cardinals where he went 5-1 with a 2.65 ERA in State College for the Cardinals’ Low-A affiliate. The biggest change is that Year stopped walking people in State College.
If the control improvement is real, Yera is a big prospect. A former 10th overall pick, he has front-line stuff according to OSA, and the control to pitch in the upper minors right now. Year doesn’t help himself with his stamina or his defense though, so he still needs to prove he can go deep into games. Bill Schmidt thinks Trixie has just enough stamina to stick as a starter, and therefore sees an ace. Expect to see Year jump past A-Ball next year.
