Team Overview
The Dominican Phillies White competed in the Dominican Summer League (DSL), which serves as a Rookie-level developmental league for international signees. They played in the South Division and, while their exact win-loss record wasn’t publicly listed, they did not qualify for the inaugural DSL Cup postseason. As a Foreign Rookie affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, this squad was composed primarily of 17–19-year-old prospects, many of whom were signed as international free agents.

Position Player Highlights
Among the position players, shortstop Romeli Espinosa stood out with a .278 batting average, .355 on-base percentage, and .421 slugging percentage across 34 games. He added 2 home runs, 11 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases, showing a balanced offensive profile and solid athleticism. Second baseman Maylerson Casanova played in 37 games and hit .266/.333/.387 with 1 home run, 14 RBIs, and 12 steals, though his 28% strikeout rate suggests some swing-and-miss risk. Center fielder Dayber Cruceta posted a modest .255 average but an impressive .427 OBP thanks to a nearly 20% walk rate, and he matched Casanova with 12 stolen bases. Right fielder Elian Adames led the team in games played (40) and RBIs (19), hitting .262/.329/.326, though his 30% strikeout rate was the highest among regulars.

Other contributors included designated hitter Rey Cruz, who hit .256 with a .356 OBP but showed no power, and first baseman Gabriel Flores, who hit just .213 but walked at a decent clip and added 6 stolen bases. Roiner Cespede, another second baseman, quietly posted a .288 average and .402 OBP with low strikeout and walk rates, suggesting a contact-oriented approach. Third baseman Maykol Fernandez had one of the more unusual lines: a low .204 average but a very strong .426 OBP and .327 slugging, driven by a 19% walk rate and some gap power.

Several players struggled significantly at the plate. First baseman Luis Hernandez hit just .109 with a .281 OBP and minimal power, while left fielder Leonardo Carpio posted a .113 average and .223 OBP, striking out frequently and offering little offensive value.

Pitching Staff Breakdown
A few arms stood out. Luis A. Garcia, an 18-year-old right-hander, made 12 appearances and threw 30.2 innings with a 2.35 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. He struck out 34 and walked just 9, showing strong command and a nearly 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Carlos De La Rosa, age 19, pitched 28.1 innings over 10 games with a 3.12 ERA and 1.25 WHIP, striking out 29 and walking 11. Johan Castillo was another effective arm, logging 25 innings across 14 appearances with a 2.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts to just 8 walks. Miguel Taveras, one of the younger pitchers at 17, had a 3.95 ERA over 22 innings, with 24 strikeouts and 13 walks, showing potential but needing refinement.

These pitchers served in a mix of starting and multi-inning relief roles, which is common in the DSL. The overall staff showed decent control, with several pitchers maintaining strikeout-to-walk ratios above 3.0, a positive sign for their development.

Team Trends & Development Notes
The team showed encouraging signs in plate discipline, with several hitters – particularly Cruceta, Fernandez, and Cespede – posting walk rates above 14%. However, strikeout rates were a concern, especially for Adames and Carpio, who both struck out in over 30% of their plate appearances. Power was limited across the board, which is typical for DSL play, with only a few players hitting home runs. Speed was a more prominent tool, as multiple players recorded five or more stolen bases. On the pitching side, control and command were generally solid, with several arms showing the ability to limit walks while generating strikeouts.

Developmental Outlook
This DSL squad featured a mix of raw but intriguing talent. Espinosa and Cruceta stood out for their advanced plate discipline and athleticism, while Casanova offered a balanced offensive profile with some gap power. On the mound, Garcia and Castillo showed the kind of command and strikeout ability that could earn them a promotion to the Florida Complex League in 2026. While few players posted eye-popping numbers, several demonstrated traits worth tracking as they progress through the Phillies’ system.

Check out our summary of the Phillies DSL Red team.