A Glimpse at the 2018 DSL San Diego Padres

Boca Chica, Dominican Repubic

The 2018 DSL San Diego Padres started play this week. There are several young players who could one day be considered prospects in the Padres’ system. Most highly celebrated Latino kids of this age will be playing Rookie Ball in Arizona, but a few of these men could establish themselves in a couple of years.

In 1990, the first DSL Padres team was formed as a shared affiliation with the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees. Since 1997, the team has been independently run and playing ball on the island in the Caribbean.

The San Diego Padres have a sprawling 15-acre facility that includes two game fields, several practice fields, a gym, baseball locker room plus more. It is truly a state of the art facility that helps draw in much talent from the area.

Chris Kemp, the international scouting director has done well to scout and fill the roster in the D.R. The majority of the players on the team are 17 and 18, but some are younger and a few are older as well. These men are able to play the game they love in a familiar setting. The group has an excellent coaching staff.

Manager Miguel Del Castillo played nine years in the Padres’ system as a catcher. He made it all the way to El Paso in 2016, but retired after one month with the Lake Elsinore Storm last year. At 26, the Dominican native is very young for a minor league manager. The youth that he possesses helps him relate to all the young talent around him.

The pitching coach for the team is Nelson Cruz, who pitched six years in the major leagues for the White Sox, Tigers, Astros and Rockies. He retired with a 5.04 ERA and a 15-23 record. The 45-year-old brings a ton of knowledge to his pitchers. Having a coach, at that level, who pitched in the majors and is Latinoas well is invaluable for these young men.

Yunir Cruz is the teams hitting coach. the Venzuelan native played in the Mets’ organization from 2002 through 2006. The 35-year-old will have a battle trying to instill plate discipline and proper mechanics to a bunch of eager young athletes. This league is traditionally a pitching heavy league.

Rounding out the coaching staff is Johonaldo Poza who played six years in the Padres’ system. The catcher, first baseman and third baseman made it all the way to Tucson (Triple-A) in 2011, but retired at the end of the year. At 29, he provides youth to the coaching staff and was a lifelong Padre. He can help cultivate these young men.

Each day, on our daily “Down on the Farm” piece, we will be sure to include scores from the DSL.

Here is a look at the roster.

Catchers

James Clark

James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.