2030 West Indies Short League Stars And Disappointments
Jul 9, 2023 8:51:35 GMT -5
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Post by Commissioner Erick on Jul 9, 2023 8:51:35 GMT -5
The West Indies Short League so statistical stability for the first time in a long while, with similar numbers to the 2029 season. There was generally better hitting talent in the league than pitching, though the league was dominated by a 25-year-old veteran of the league.
SS: Philip MacDonald—Braves
MacDonald had a huge year for Barbados, leading the West Indies in RBIs, Zone Rating, and WAR, as a complete player. His WAR at Second Base lapped the league, and his .296 average, 20 doubles, and 14 homers made him an offensive weapon. He even went 6-6 on steals.
MacDonald has played for the Tridents each of his five seasons since being drafted in the fifth round in 2026. He had two decent years to begin his career, two excellent ones to follow, and this year’s MVP-worthy campaign. Neither OSA, nor Eddy Rodriguez, envision MacDonald has more than a mid-minors backup, but he deserves a chance to play full season baseball.
CF: Orlando Castillo—Reds
The Libre’s Center Fielder had a huge year, leading the league in hits, triples, and speed, making great use of his fantastic wheels for Cuba. Big Dumb Orlando Castillo hit .336 with 29 steals and 10 triples, though he was also caught stealing 14 times to lead the league. He also had eight homers, giving him a touch of power to his game.
Castillo can fly, but he’s not great at making reads in the outfield, holding him back. He also trusts his raw speed more than getting good, fast jumps when trying to steal. Scouting services see an upper minors slap hitter, who’ll make contact and hit for a high average, but whose lack of refinement limits him. After two good seasons in Arizona and a great year in the Caribbean, Castillo should move to A-ball next year.
3B: Hai-Feng Lau—Brewers
A scouting discovery out of China in 2026, Lau tore up Milwaukee’s Dominican League team last year, earning a call up to Dominica in 2030. There, he hit .336, third in the league, with 16 home runs to tie for the West Indies lead. He was also strong defensively, leading to 4.4 WAR. Lau also has a taste of international play, though he’s just 6-41 for China’s national team in two WBC trips.
Lau is well developed for a 21-year-old. He has very good power for the low minors, and is strong defensively. He has Triple-A upside, but should be strong in High-A next year. Lau is a good bet to end up in the DAHL when he gets older.
LF: Jaime Johns—Royals
Johns tied for the league lead in homers with Lau at 16. He also hit .309 with a .439 OBP since he walked 51 times to his 61 strikeouts. Johns had a 1.058 OPS and was a serviceable outfielder as well. On the negative side, he only stole four bases in 15 attempts.
Johns looks like a future Triple-A starting Left Fielder. He had a good year in Puerto Rico last year, but struggled in full-season play. After this year’s results, there’s more of a baseline to imagine he’ll succeed in Lexington. His patience and gap power are too good for short-season ball.
3B: Edwin Quiroz—Royals
A 20 year old discovered back in 2016 from the Dominican Republic, Quiroz has made steady progress in the low minors. He played well in the Arizona League and Burlington in 2028, and had a strong full year Burlington campaign in 2029 where he hit .311 with 35 homers. This year, he led the league with 29 doubles and 66 runs, hitting .315 with six triples and six homers. His 29 steals tied Castillo for the league lead.
While he played a lot of Shortstop unimpressively, Ratchet Quiroz is likely a Third Baseman long term. Scouts think it’s possible he has a PBA future. His hit tool is quick, he runs extremely well for a Third Baseman, and he should hustle his away into a ton of doubles. He’ll likely never be a huge power hitter, but the speed makes up for it a bit. His hit tool, gap power, and speed make him a candidate for full season ball, but he still has some pitch recognition issues to work out before jumping to High-A.
SS: Matt Wright—Braves
A member of this section last year, Wright had another massive season, hitting .350 and leading the West Indies Short League with a .452 OBP. With plus defense and some pop, that was good for 4.0 WAR.
Basically fully developed, Wright should have been playing full season ball by now. He’d comfortably hold his own in Double-A, and may even be able to hack it in Triple-A. He doesn’t quite hit it hard enough for a PBA future, but the 2023 17th rounder could tear up an international league if he gets bored with the minors.
SP Aaron Nabers—Royals
The 25-year old Nabers spent most of 2029 in full season ball, albeit working to a -1.1 WAR for Lexington in A-Ball. Kansas City sent him back to Puerto Rico, where he excelled, leading the league with a 1.38 ERA. He went 7-1, allowed just four homers, walked 10, and struck out 83. The lefty held same-side hitters to a .302 OPS.
A 30th round pick in 2026, Nabers is very hittable, particularly by righties, hence his full season struggles. He’s intelligent, outsmarting most teenagers and young 20-somethings in the low minors, but he doesn’t have a PBA future. Short-A may be his high-water mark.
SP: Nobuo Otsuki—Reds
Nobuo Otsuki was the best pitcher in the West Indies last year. He had a 3.2 WAR season to lead the league, with an exceptional 109 strikeouts in 75.1 innings. He had a 2.99 ERA, despite allowing a .356 BABIP. He dominated the Arizona Rookie League his prior two years.
Otsuki was drafted in 2026 by Yomiuri in the fourth round and cut soon after. He signed a contract with the Reds with a $109 dollar signing bonus, enough for his agent to celebrate at Wendys, and has dominated the low minors since. Much better against righties than lefties, Otsuki, doesn’t have much a future above A-ball, but he’s dominated short-season ball so it’s time for him to advance.
SP: Hugo Venegas—Royals
Despite pitching in relief, Venegas was tied for the league lead in wins with 10. He had a 2.70 ERA and whiffed 75 in 53.1 innings. He was okay as a starter in rookie ball in 2029 with a 5.56 ERA worth 0.4 WAR, but improved nicely in Short-A this year.
Neither OSA nor Eddy Rodriguez rate him highly. OSA doesn’t see him working above Double-A, and Rodriguez doesn’t even afford him that future. Even with a weak changeup, it may be worth it to see if he can start for Puerto Rico next year.
SP: Joey Kaye—Royals
Our fourth member of the Sol, Kaye led the West Indies Short League in innings. They were effective ones too—he fired 80 innings with a 2.48 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP. He had a rough 2028 in relief, but cut his home rate to improve last year to replacement level. This year showed he could be a plus arm.
Kaye is a 26th round pick out of South Alabama from 2025. He’s aging out of Short-Season play, but his homer suppressing ways in the sinking air of the Caribbean may not hold up in Lexington. Kaye will likely be in the bullpen in Kentucky next season.
CL: David Burrell—Reds
A 24th round draft pick in 2026, Burrell had his second straight strong year for Cuba, leading the league in saves. He’s gradually improved every year, and though homer prone, he has stellar control. He allowed six homers in 31.2 innings, but only four walks with 37 strikeouts.
He throws three pitches with good control that can miss bats. He should reach Double-A in his career, and may be able to pitch in High-A next year.
RP: Victor Banks—Brewers
A 23 rounder out of BYU in 2028, Banks continues to improve as a reliever for Dominica. He had an 8.03 ERA and -0.8 WAR in 2028. That improved to a 3.74 ERA and 0.5 WAR last year, and a 2.72 mark with 1.4 WAR this year. Banks led the league in holds.
He has good stuff, and Eddy Rodriguez thinks his movement is strong for the low-minors. He’s improved his control, but scouts wonder if that will hold at higher levels. He’s proven he can succeed in the lower levels, but his career will probably top out in A-ball.
LF: Dallas Banwell—White Sox
A Supplemental Round pick for Texas this year, and acquired in the Laurenti Baffi trade, Banwell struggled in his first test of pro ball. He whiffed 30 times, walked five times, and had just two homers in 118 at bats. Banwell did steal six based, but his .655 OPS resulted in a replacement level showing for Haiti.
Banwell is young, just 21, and he’s raw. However, scouts see him as an upper minors hitter, not a major leaguer. OSA likes his pop and his speed, which combined with good corner outfield defense makes him a starter in Triple-A. Eddy Rodriguez is a bit less optimistic about the power, making Banwell more of a Double-A player. He should repeat the level next year in his quest for a major league future.
RF: Andres Perez—White Sox
The third overall pick in this year’s draft, and acquired in the same deal that sent Baffi to Texas, Perez struggled even worse. A Florida State University grad who struggled for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic earlier this year, Perez played in 34 games for Haiti, hit .183, walked seven times, struck out 49 times, hit just four homers, and struggled defensively. Eventually, he got moved to the Pioneer League in rookie ball as the West Indies didn’t suit him.
Perez has huge power potential that can make him a special player. OSA sees him selling for a bit more power than Eddy Rodriguez, who imagines Perez trading off a tough of pop for a shorter swing, but both see a star. Both find Perez reasonably developed, so he should escape rookie ball and repeat the level next year.
RP: Himmi Ipyana—Brewers
Ipyana was discovered back in 2023, was an All-Star for Dominica last year, and as a five-pitch pitcher, was one of the best arms in the league. Despite that, he was terrible this season. He pitched in just 15 games, started just three, and allowed seven home runs. He had a 6.87 ERA and had -0.5 WAR.
He has elite stuff for the low minors, and will be just 23 next year. He may repeat the level as a starter next year. He’s very homer prone and doesn’t have great control, so he may not advance past A-ball though.
RP: Candido Ferrreira—Angels
A scouting discovery out of Brazil in 2025, Ferreira had a brutal year for the Trinidad Dragons. He pitched in 27 games and had an 8.06 ERA. In 44.1 innings, he allowed 12 homers, nine to lefties, while righties hit .354 against him. He did pitch for Burlington late in the year, going 6 scoreless, fanning eight, and accumulating 0.3 WAR in three games there after picking up -1.4 WAR in 27 games for Trinidad.
Ferrereira looks like roster filler without much of a future, despite four pitches. He throws soft, and he throws straight, and he throws like he’ll be pitching internationally in the near future.
SS: Philip MacDonald—Braves
MacDonald had a huge year for Barbados, leading the West Indies in RBIs, Zone Rating, and WAR, as a complete player. His WAR at Second Base lapped the league, and his .296 average, 20 doubles, and 14 homers made him an offensive weapon. He even went 6-6 on steals.
MacDonald has played for the Tridents each of his five seasons since being drafted in the fifth round in 2026. He had two decent years to begin his career, two excellent ones to follow, and this year’s MVP-worthy campaign. Neither OSA, nor Eddy Rodriguez, envision MacDonald has more than a mid-minors backup, but he deserves a chance to play full season baseball.
CF: Orlando Castillo—Reds
The Libre’s Center Fielder had a huge year, leading the league in hits, triples, and speed, making great use of his fantastic wheels for Cuba. Big Dumb Orlando Castillo hit .336 with 29 steals and 10 triples, though he was also caught stealing 14 times to lead the league. He also had eight homers, giving him a touch of power to his game.
Castillo can fly, but he’s not great at making reads in the outfield, holding him back. He also trusts his raw speed more than getting good, fast jumps when trying to steal. Scouting services see an upper minors slap hitter, who’ll make contact and hit for a high average, but whose lack of refinement limits him. After two good seasons in Arizona and a great year in the Caribbean, Castillo should move to A-ball next year.
3B: Hai-Feng Lau—Brewers
A scouting discovery out of China in 2026, Lau tore up Milwaukee’s Dominican League team last year, earning a call up to Dominica in 2030. There, he hit .336, third in the league, with 16 home runs to tie for the West Indies lead. He was also strong defensively, leading to 4.4 WAR. Lau also has a taste of international play, though he’s just 6-41 for China’s national team in two WBC trips.
Lau is well developed for a 21-year-old. He has very good power for the low minors, and is strong defensively. He has Triple-A upside, but should be strong in High-A next year. Lau is a good bet to end up in the DAHL when he gets older.
LF: Jaime Johns—Royals
Johns tied for the league lead in homers with Lau at 16. He also hit .309 with a .439 OBP since he walked 51 times to his 61 strikeouts. Johns had a 1.058 OPS and was a serviceable outfielder as well. On the negative side, he only stole four bases in 15 attempts.
Johns looks like a future Triple-A starting Left Fielder. He had a good year in Puerto Rico last year, but struggled in full-season play. After this year’s results, there’s more of a baseline to imagine he’ll succeed in Lexington. His patience and gap power are too good for short-season ball.
3B: Edwin Quiroz—Royals
A 20 year old discovered back in 2016 from the Dominican Republic, Quiroz has made steady progress in the low minors. He played well in the Arizona League and Burlington in 2028, and had a strong full year Burlington campaign in 2029 where he hit .311 with 35 homers. This year, he led the league with 29 doubles and 66 runs, hitting .315 with six triples and six homers. His 29 steals tied Castillo for the league lead.
While he played a lot of Shortstop unimpressively, Ratchet Quiroz is likely a Third Baseman long term. Scouts think it’s possible he has a PBA future. His hit tool is quick, he runs extremely well for a Third Baseman, and he should hustle his away into a ton of doubles. He’ll likely never be a huge power hitter, but the speed makes up for it a bit. His hit tool, gap power, and speed make him a candidate for full season ball, but he still has some pitch recognition issues to work out before jumping to High-A.
SS: Matt Wright—Braves
A member of this section last year, Wright had another massive season, hitting .350 and leading the West Indies Short League with a .452 OBP. With plus defense and some pop, that was good for 4.0 WAR.
Basically fully developed, Wright should have been playing full season ball by now. He’d comfortably hold his own in Double-A, and may even be able to hack it in Triple-A. He doesn’t quite hit it hard enough for a PBA future, but the 2023 17th rounder could tear up an international league if he gets bored with the minors.
SP Aaron Nabers—Royals
The 25-year old Nabers spent most of 2029 in full season ball, albeit working to a -1.1 WAR for Lexington in A-Ball. Kansas City sent him back to Puerto Rico, where he excelled, leading the league with a 1.38 ERA. He went 7-1, allowed just four homers, walked 10, and struck out 83. The lefty held same-side hitters to a .302 OPS.
A 30th round pick in 2026, Nabers is very hittable, particularly by righties, hence his full season struggles. He’s intelligent, outsmarting most teenagers and young 20-somethings in the low minors, but he doesn’t have a PBA future. Short-A may be his high-water mark.
SP: Nobuo Otsuki—Reds
Nobuo Otsuki was the best pitcher in the West Indies last year. He had a 3.2 WAR season to lead the league, with an exceptional 109 strikeouts in 75.1 innings. He had a 2.99 ERA, despite allowing a .356 BABIP. He dominated the Arizona Rookie League his prior two years.
Otsuki was drafted in 2026 by Yomiuri in the fourth round and cut soon after. He signed a contract with the Reds with a $109 dollar signing bonus, enough for his agent to celebrate at Wendys, and has dominated the low minors since. Much better against righties than lefties, Otsuki, doesn’t have much a future above A-ball, but he’s dominated short-season ball so it’s time for him to advance.
SP: Hugo Venegas—Royals
Despite pitching in relief, Venegas was tied for the league lead in wins with 10. He had a 2.70 ERA and whiffed 75 in 53.1 innings. He was okay as a starter in rookie ball in 2029 with a 5.56 ERA worth 0.4 WAR, but improved nicely in Short-A this year.
Neither OSA nor Eddy Rodriguez rate him highly. OSA doesn’t see him working above Double-A, and Rodriguez doesn’t even afford him that future. Even with a weak changeup, it may be worth it to see if he can start for Puerto Rico next year.
SP: Joey Kaye—Royals
Our fourth member of the Sol, Kaye led the West Indies Short League in innings. They were effective ones too—he fired 80 innings with a 2.48 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP. He had a rough 2028 in relief, but cut his home rate to improve last year to replacement level. This year showed he could be a plus arm.
Kaye is a 26th round pick out of South Alabama from 2025. He’s aging out of Short-Season play, but his homer suppressing ways in the sinking air of the Caribbean may not hold up in Lexington. Kaye will likely be in the bullpen in Kentucky next season.
CL: David Burrell—Reds
A 24th round draft pick in 2026, Burrell had his second straight strong year for Cuba, leading the league in saves. He’s gradually improved every year, and though homer prone, he has stellar control. He allowed six homers in 31.2 innings, but only four walks with 37 strikeouts.
He throws three pitches with good control that can miss bats. He should reach Double-A in his career, and may be able to pitch in High-A next year.
RP: Victor Banks—Brewers
A 23 rounder out of BYU in 2028, Banks continues to improve as a reliever for Dominica. He had an 8.03 ERA and -0.8 WAR in 2028. That improved to a 3.74 ERA and 0.5 WAR last year, and a 2.72 mark with 1.4 WAR this year. Banks led the league in holds.
He has good stuff, and Eddy Rodriguez thinks his movement is strong for the low-minors. He’s improved his control, but scouts wonder if that will hold at higher levels. He’s proven he can succeed in the lower levels, but his career will probably top out in A-ball.
LF: Dallas Banwell—White Sox
A Supplemental Round pick for Texas this year, and acquired in the Laurenti Baffi trade, Banwell struggled in his first test of pro ball. He whiffed 30 times, walked five times, and had just two homers in 118 at bats. Banwell did steal six based, but his .655 OPS resulted in a replacement level showing for Haiti.
Banwell is young, just 21, and he’s raw. However, scouts see him as an upper minors hitter, not a major leaguer. OSA likes his pop and his speed, which combined with good corner outfield defense makes him a starter in Triple-A. Eddy Rodriguez is a bit less optimistic about the power, making Banwell more of a Double-A player. He should repeat the level next year in his quest for a major league future.
RF: Andres Perez—White Sox
The third overall pick in this year’s draft, and acquired in the same deal that sent Baffi to Texas, Perez struggled even worse. A Florida State University grad who struggled for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic earlier this year, Perez played in 34 games for Haiti, hit .183, walked seven times, struck out 49 times, hit just four homers, and struggled defensively. Eventually, he got moved to the Pioneer League in rookie ball as the West Indies didn’t suit him.
Perez has huge power potential that can make him a special player. OSA sees him selling for a bit more power than Eddy Rodriguez, who imagines Perez trading off a tough of pop for a shorter swing, but both see a star. Both find Perez reasonably developed, so he should escape rookie ball and repeat the level next year.
RP: Himmi Ipyana—Brewers
Ipyana was discovered back in 2023, was an All-Star for Dominica last year, and as a five-pitch pitcher, was one of the best arms in the league. Despite that, he was terrible this season. He pitched in just 15 games, started just three, and allowed seven home runs. He had a 6.87 ERA and had -0.5 WAR.
He has elite stuff for the low minors, and will be just 23 next year. He may repeat the level as a starter next year. He’s very homer prone and doesn’t have great control, so he may not advance past A-ball though.
RP: Candido Ferrreira—Angels
A scouting discovery out of Brazil in 2025, Ferreira had a brutal year for the Trinidad Dragons. He pitched in 27 games and had an 8.06 ERA. In 44.1 innings, he allowed 12 homers, nine to lefties, while righties hit .354 against him. He did pitch for Burlington late in the year, going 6 scoreless, fanning eight, and accumulating 0.3 WAR in three games there after picking up -1.4 WAR in 27 games for Trinidad.
Ferrereira looks like roster filler without much of a future, despite four pitches. He throws soft, and he throws straight, and he throws like he’ll be pitching internationally in the near future.