Last night was the annual Dominican Winter League (LIDOM) draft. Essentially, players born in the Dominican Republic (or, I believe, have a parent who was) are eligible to be drafted by one of the six teams in the league after they make a full-season roster by August 1st or earlier of the season, or players who are 23-years-old and have played in at least the Dominican Summer League. Simply being drafted does not mean a player will play in the upcoming winter league season, or even ever play in the winter league. It is simply a “we have the rights to this player if he chooses to play in the Dominican Winter League” situation.
Four players from the Cincinnati Reds farm system were eligible to be selected this year. Two of those players were taken. Right-handed pitchers Ovis Portes and Anyer Laureano were both selected in the draft. Outfielder Malvin Valdez and infielder Carlos Sanchez were also eligible for the draft but went unselected among the 95 players who heard their names called on Wednesday night.
Licey used their 9th round selection to draft Ovis Portes. Cincinnati acquired Portes in July at the trade deadline when they sent reliever Lucas Sims to the Boston Red Sox. He had pitched in both the Florida Complex League with Boston this season and in the Carolina League with the Red Sox affiliate in Salem. He performed well in his 34.0 innings with the Red Sox farm system. After joining the Reds he only pitched in four games with Daytona and only threw 5.0 total innings before landing on the injured list three weeks ago. Between all three of his stops this season he posted a 3.69 ERA in 39.0 innings with 29 walks and 50 strikeouts.
Escogido used one of their 10th round picks to select Anyer Laureano. He’s spent his entire 2024 season with Daytona where he’s got a 3.00 ERA in 54.0 innings – all in relief. Laureano has given up just 30 hits, but he’s struggled to consistently throw strikes. That issue has led to him walking 37 batters and hitting four others. He’s got big stuff, though, which is why he’s racked up 81 strikeouts on the season. Like Portes, though, Laureano is on the injured list and has been since early August.
Playoffs tonight
Both the Daytona Tortugas and Dayton Dragons could see their seasons come to an end tonight. They lost the series opener at home in each of their series. After having Wednesday off the two clubs are now the visiting team in a must-win game tonight.
Daytona is in Palm Beach and down 1-0 in a best-of-three series. Tonight will have the two clubs take the field at 6:30pm ET. Dayton is in northern Ohio to take on Lake County. They are also down 1-0 in a best-of-three series. The Dragons and Captains game will begin at 6:35pm ET.