Dominican Winter League Finals: A Look at the Top MLB Prospects Eyeing Their First Trophy of the Season

With the conclusion of the Dominican Winter League season, the names of a few MLB prospects have come to light. These names will be looking to get their hands on the season’s first trophy. Although the weather has been changing in several parts of the United States and Canada, baseball doesn’t seem to be going away in Latin America.

While going through the Caribbean Series, slated to commence in February, the Dominican Winter League features some of the best talents who have been included in the roster of the 12 Major League Baseball organizations. A few notable top prospects include Jordan Lawlar, Orelvis Martinez, and Luis Campusano, to name a few.

Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido make it big with the new prospects

The Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League [Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana], or LIDOM, has brought out the best of many new talents, identifying the major prospects that could leave a similar mark in MLB. While the Winter League season has been a massive hit with six teams competing against each other, the Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido will face each other in the final match on January 28.

On January 27, a Dominican-born, Boston-raised fan, Pacman072286, said, “We got a game 7, folks!!! Tigres del Licey vs. Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League Baseball Finals!! Tomorrow Night!!! Winning team goes to the Caribbean Series in Mexico to represent Team Dominican Republic!!” He seems very excited for the final showdown, and the winning team will make it to the Caribbean Series that will be held in Mexico.

So with the Winter League season ending soon, one prospect’s name that comes at the top is Tigres del Licey’s Jordan Lawlar. He was one of the picks during the 2021 Draft who managed to reach the Majors at just 21 years of age. He was a part of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ World Series run in 2023; however, he couldn’t play much in 2024 due to an injury in his right thumb.

Another top prospect is second baseman Orelvis Martinez, who played only one game with the Toronto Blue Jays. Although he was suspended for the illegal substance Clomiphene; he played 10 games for the Tigres del Licey. Martinez would be looking to make a comeback in his second appearance in this Winter League season. But there are a few other prospects who should be named as well.

Dominican Winter League finals main prospects

With the final game happening tomorrow, one of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ top prospects, Jordan Lawlar would like to make it big after his rough 18 months. Despite having a productive 2022 and 2023, Lawlar was out of the game due to an injury; however, in his 14 MLB games, he slashed .129/.206/.129 batting averages. Given his performance and good health, the Tigres would gain a boost while competing against their rival in the finals. Orelvis Martinez, on the other hand, made 16 home runs and 14 doubles.

He played 73 games for the Triple-A Buffalo in 2024, which helped in his MLB debut against Cleveland. But after his suspension from 80 games, he has a .304 batting average and managed to score one home run and five doubles in just 11 games. Thus, both these prospects—Lawrar and Martinez—would like to replicate the same magic in the upcoming MLB seasons. But that’s not all!

Roderick Arias has been another major prospect who made it big by batting an average of . 172, having a 38.7% strikeout at Class-A Tampa. He even hit seven homers and 11 doubles while lowering his strikeout to 30%, which hints at his potential in the Winter League final. Then there’s Jonatan Clase, who made a flying start in his early days, having 55 and 79 steals in 2022 and 2023, respectively. He even batted an average of .244 with a 30% strikeout rate and 12 steals, which makes him an essential prospect who could make a significant mark in the MLB.

So, we all await the Winter League final tomorrow. Before that, however, can you name some more prospects who can make it big in the MLB? Let us know in the comment section below.