Dominican Summer League Update

The Dominican Summer League is well underway for the 2015 season and so far the Indians’ affiliate has played a bit like their namesake, exhibiting very poor hitting and defense, while pitching well. The Dominican Summer League consists of 38 teams, with many of the major league ball clubs having more than one team. Of these 38 teams, the Indians rank near the bottom in nearly every offensive category. They are 37th in batting average (.207), 36th in slugging (.279) as well as steals (25),  and 33rd in home runs (5). While, the pitching staff has posted a tremendous ERA that ranks 4th (2.70), they are 29th in strikeouts (227) and they’ve walked the 15th most batters (139). However, the staff has allowed the 4th fewest runs in the league at 124, while just 83 of them are earned, the second fewest in the league.

Elvis Perez

The Indians’ short stop has been the team’s best hitter thus far, posting a slash line of .279/.358/.394. He’s accumulated a team-leading 9 extra-base hits, including 3 triples, as well as 13 RBI, which is tied for the team lead.

Julio Medrano

Medrano has played a utility role for the Indians this season, making 9 starts at 3B, 8 in CF and 2 at 2B. He’s been the Indians’ second best hitter with a slash of .272/.330/.330, with 5 extra-base hits and a team high 10 steals.

Randy Marte

Marte has made 5 starts for the Indians this season, pitching 16.2 innings, while striking out 15 batters. He has a 1.08 ERA which is the lowest of any of the Indians’ starters. I also have a sneaky suspicion that this is simply Andy Marte trying to revitalize his career, Andy did pitch once for the Cleveland Indians in 2010 and surprise, surprise, he struck out Nick Swisher.

Francisco Perez

Perez leads the team with 6 starts this season, throwing 24.2 innings in those games. He’s struck out 22 batters and posted a 3.28 ERA.

Luis Araujo

Araujo has also made 5 starts this season, pitching 24.1 innings, while striking out a team-high 25 batters.

Ramon Tineo

Tineo has been one of the Indians’ best relievers thus far. He’s appeared in 8 games, pitched 10.2 innings and struck out 19 batters. Remarkably the lefty hasn’t allowed a single earned run this season and just 2 runs total.

Cesar Ventura

Ventura has also provided good relief out of the bullpen this year, his 10 appearances are tied for the team lead. Ventura is commonly used in long relief scenarios as just 1 appearance has lasted an inning. Ventura has a 2.38 ERA while striking out 14 batters in 22.2 innings.