MuchO GustO: The DSL Orioles

The Dominican Summer League Orioles were front runners most of the season, finishing the regular season 46-24, and losing in the LCS equivalent.  Looking at the numbers in the DSL is a fools errand, as these kids are on average 18 years old, but I guess we will do it anyway.  I took the approach of looking at age versus competition and comparing those numbers to league average figures.  The average OPS in the DSL is 661 (so too was the Orioles average OPS), and the average ERA was 3.59 (the Orioles fielded a 3.38).  The average team committed 125 errors in 70 games (Orioles committed 117 in 70 games).

The good:

Alexander Mercedes: The 19 year old right handed 6'0" 160 lb second baseman OPSed 827 in his second DSL season (repeating the DSL is fairly common from what I can tell).  His slash line was: 317/405/422 in 236 plate appearances, drawing 26 walks versus 18 strikeouts.  He definitely seems ready for the GCL, though he did commit 18 errors.

Oswill Lartiguez: The 18 y/o Venezuelan right handed OF is 6'1" 179.  He posted the following slash line in his second DSL campaign: 261/377/327/704, drawing 30 walks with 40 strikeouts in 241 plate appearances. 

Hector Veloz: the 17 y/o bonus baby did ok in his first season of professional ball, posting a 225/344/322/666 slash line, with 37 walks and 62 strikeouts in 275 plate appearances.  Obviously the strikeouts are a concern, as are the 21 errors, but he was younger than his competition and one imagines there was quite a bit of pressure on him given his lofty signing bonus.

Janser Severino: the 19 y/o Dominican RH pitcher posted a 77/28 K/BB in 77.1 innings this year with a 1.047 WHIP.  He is listed at 6' 2" 140, so one would presume he has room to grow.

Jhondaniel Medina: the 18 y/o RH Venezuelan opened some eyes (at least mine) by striking out 60 and walking 34 in 65.2 innings.  He is listed at 5' 11" 158 lbs.  He posted a strong 2010 campaign as well, so I'm assuming he is headed to the GCL next year.   

The bad and the meh:   I am electing to pass on these categories as I don't know enough about these kids!  And I'm a pretty negative person, so I'm kind of disappointed in myself for passing on this opportunity.

Baseball-Reference DSL Orioles page