Just like teams in MLB, teams in the Dominican Winter League have a preseason camp that helps them decide who is going to make the team and who isn’t (at least out of the gate). While the LIDOM season doesn’t begin until October 15th, their camps are now open and some of the guys are starting to show up in bunches. Among them are a handful of Cincinnati Reds prospects.
The Gigantes del Cibao have two prospects from the Reds already in camp. Victor Acosta showed up this past week and this weekend he was joined by his teammate in 2025 with the Dayton Dragons Carlos Jorge. Two years ago Cibao took Jorge with the 4th overall pick in the draft. He didn’t make the team following the 2023 season and last year was injured and couldn’t participate.
2025 was an interesting one for Carlos Jorge. He didn’t hit for much average in the first two months. Four of his six home runs on the season came in May – but he also hit .169 during the month and had 30 strikeouts. But at the end of May he put together a strong final five games and from May 27th through the end of the season he hit .288/.357/.403 with 27 walks and 47 strikeouts. With Jorge, though, it’s more than what he does in the batters box. He also stole 40 bases on the season and he’s a strong defensive center fielder.
The year for Victor Acosta was one full of struggles. The 21-year-old switch hitting infielder had a .619 OPS and just one home run in 88 games with Dayton. His season came to an end in early August when he was placed on the temporarily inactive list – where he remained for the rest of the year.
Francisco Urbaez is already in camp with Escogido. This will be hist 4th season playing with them. Urbaez spent all of 2025 in Triple-A with Louisville and he had the best season of his professional career. In his 97 games this year he hit .314/.381/.464 for the Bats. He had 32 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 38 walks, and just 40 strikeouts during the year.
Over in camp with Licey is Ovis Portes. Acquired from Boston in 2024 at the trade deadline in a deal for Lucas Sims, Portes has spent all of his time in the Reds organization in Single-A Daytona. In the 2025 season he made 15 starts and eight relief appearances for the Tortugas where he had a 5.87 ERA with 49 walks and 67 strikeouts.
Well, that’s a pretty encouraging perspective on Carlos Jorge, especially given his really good CF defense. At this point, he might have a 4th OF job at some point but runs the risk of not having enough pop. So his best shot might actually be as a Jose Siri type who can just hit 9th for a team that can absorb that. Not sure we will be able to do that but somebody may.
One thing noticeable in watching the Reds opponents this year is seeing the difference some of these really good CF make. Friedl is a gamer and very good leadoff hitter. His routes are top shelf and he is just so reliable, but his legs didn’t have quite the zip this year and his arm is pretty much just average. He has his three arbitration years beginning in 2026, so he’s here, unless they need to upgrade ie Friedl has an injury.
Many will argue that a LF has to be a big bat but I don’t feel bound by that, as the game has changed. For instance, if a team has a power bat in CF, such as Julio or the little brat on the Cubs, why can’t LF be a leadoff hitter? As long as a hitter is definitely bringing value to the lineup, it probably doesn’t matter where the HR’s come from or the Tito-required leadoff OBP comes from. The problem is finding those HRs and leadoff hits/walks. Which is a roundabout way of saying I can see Friedl moved to LF and hitting leadoff if we find a CF with some power. Mason Neville could be a player like that. Maybe even Rece Hinds, if he could just hit something like .240/.315/.435.
The OF in general was a big issue heading into 2025. They finally converted Marte, which I was begging for since the day he was suspended for roids, and that was a big step.
I agree Friedl to LF would be great if we can get a really good CF. I’m wondering if Robet Jr will take a prove it contract in 2026. He’d give us the defense we need, with a chance of a being a very good hitter if he is healthy.
Maybe also try and resign Andujar to split time at 3B/LF/DH.
We’re not likely to go get a big FA, so those 2 signings could be helpful.
Austin Hays is still in that mix unless the dual option is not exercised. Tyler Callahan and Blake Dunn also may factor.
As posted above, I think Rece Hinds will get extensive looks. Much cheaper for this team to pick up the option for Hays, and have a break out from one of those 3.
If I’m signing free agents, it is left handed power relievers (2 would be great)
We have lots of trinkets, a trade for LH relievers makes sense
The Hays option is a mutual option, which are fairly meaningless in practice. He may come back, but I think they will give Hinds a fair shot at being a regular outfielder next season.
The more interesting possibility to me for a return is Miguel Andujar; he’s a DH with limited defensive value, but he can hit and would be cheap for 2-3 years. Option A is Schwarber for a ton of money; Andujar as DH would be fine.
Tyler Stephenson is under control for one more season; Jose Trevino is under contract through 2027. Alfredo Duno has an ETA of maybe mid-season 2027 or else 2028. It would be nice to extend Stephenson for one more year past his free agency year (through 2027), but he may well want to sign a 3-4 year deal.