Notable DSL Prospects Expected Stateside

Richard Matic - 18 YO | 6’ 200 | R/R - 3B

.336/.487 - 1.053 OPS | 20 XBH - 5 HR, 30 RBI | 20.9 BB% - 22.5 K% | 167 wRC+

Richard Matic entered last season as a 17-year-old determined to rebound from a difficult professional debut, and he delivered in a major way.

He put together one of the strongest seasons in the DSL, slashing .336/.487 with a 1.053 OPS while collecting 20 extra-base hits, including five home runs.

Nearly every component of his offensive profile took a step forward. His walk rate surged from 12.4% to 20.9%, while his strikeout rate dipped from 23.1% to 22.5%, reflecting a more controlled and selective approach at the plate.

The transformation was evident in the underlying metrics:

• Swing rate dropped dramatically from 55.6% to 36%

• Whiff rate fell from 25.1% to 11%

• Chase rate improved from 35.5% to 27.5%

• Contact rate climbed from 55% to 70%

In just one offseason, Matic evolved into a far more disciplined hitter with measurable gains across the board. Entering 2026, he stands as the Yankees’ most exciting DSL prospect and appears poised to make his stateside debut this season.

Queni Pineda - 18 YO | 5’10 190 | R/R - C

.270/.459 - .840 OPS | 5 XBH - 1 HR, 9 RBI | 22.4 BB% - 14.1 K% | 129 wRC+

Queni Pineda was one of the more intriguing Yankees prospects in the DSL in 2024, and expectations were that he would build on that strong debut.

He was in the process of doing exactly that before an injury cut his season in half. Even with the missed time, Pineda showed clear developmental progress. His plate discipline took a significant step forward, as he slashed his whiff rate from 23.5% to just 9%. That improvement translated directly into better contact quality, a stronger batting average, and continued elite on-base production.

He maintained his walk rate while trimming his strikeout rate from 22.5% down to 14.1% — a substantial improvement that reinforces the gains in swing decisions and overall approach.

Defensively, Pineda threw out 16 of 60 attempted base stealers, showing solid arm strength and willingness to control the running game behind the plate.

Despite the shortened season, the underlying indicators point toward real growth. If he can stay healthy, Pineda’s combination of advanced plate discipline and steady defensive work gives him a strong foundation moving forward.

Francisco Vilorio - 19 YO | 6’4 215 | R/R - OF

.279/.387 - .783 OPS | 13 XBH - 0 HR, 19 RBI | 13.8 BB% - 24.9 K% | 100 wRC+

Francisco Vilorio, once the Yankees’ top international free agent signing just a few seasons ago, showed meaningful progress in 2025.

The most notable growth came in his plate discipline. Vilorio increased his walk rate from 9% to 14% while cutting his strikeout rate from 33% down to 24.9%. Those improvements were critical, helping fuel an 80+ point jump in his batting average. The better swing decisions and improved contact ability were clear indicators of development.

He matched last season’s total with 13 extra-base hits, notably did not homer. Given his physical profile, the absence of home runs feels more temporary than permanent. With consistent playing time in the FCL, the power production should begin to surface.

The underlying adjustments suggest a hitter trending in the right direction, one whose statistical gains were backed by tangible improvements in approach.

Alexander Almonte - 19 YO | 6’4 205 | R/R - RHP

19 YO | 6’4 205 | R/R | 3.29 ERA - 1.29 WHIP | 52 IP - 46 H, 21 BB, 48 K | 8.3 K/9 - 21 K% | 54.4 GB% | .227 AVG

Almonte was one of the Yankees’ top international pitching signings just two seasons ago, and he has backed that billing with consecutive solid campaigns in the DSL.

The big-bodied right-hander brings an imposing presence to the mound, highlighted by a 95–97 MPH fastball that gives him a legitimate power foundation. After putting together back-to-back steady seasons, he appears positioned to make his stateside debut in 2026.

The next step will be seeing how his stuff translates against more advanced competition, but the combination of physicality, velocity, and early performance makes his transition one of the more intriguing developments to monitor.

Kevin Centeno - 20 YO | 6’2 190 | L/L - LHP

4.59 ERA- 1.44 WHIP | 33.1 IP - 25 H, 23 BB, 53 K | 14.2 K/9 -34.6 K% | 54.8 GB% | .207 AVG

Kevin Centeno put together a solid debut season that featured both promise and progress. He came out strong early before hitting a midseason wall — a common hurdle for young arms — but the encouraging part was how he responded.

Over his final two outings, Centeno showed tangible progress, tossing 10 innings while issuing just three walks and striking out 11. The improved command and ability to miss bats late in the season reflected the kind of in-season growth you want to see from a developing pitcher.

The left-hander currently sits 92–93 MPH and has physical projection remaining, with room to add another 2–3 ticks to the fastball as he matures. With that velocity from the 3/4 left-handed angle and the signs of adjustment he showed late, Centeno makes a compelling case as an intriguing arm ready for a stateside opportunity.

Juan Torres - 18 YO | 5’10 166 | R/R - 2B

.359/.406 - .922 OPS | 15 XBH - 4 HR, 43 RBI | 3.5 BB% - 11.8 K% | 131 wRC+

Juan Torres, a member of the Yankees’ 2025 international free agent class, made an immediate impact in his debut season. He led the entire farm system with a .359 batting average while showing solid extra-base ability from the 2B position, racking up 10 doubles, 1 triple, and 4 home runs.

The offensive production stands out not just for the average, but for the balanced profile, contact ability paired with some power.

Torres appears ready for a stateside assignment in 2026. That said, I could see a scenario where the Yankees opt to hold him back if they prioritize opportunities prospects already on the FCL roster. Either way, his debut firmly places him among the more interesting bats to track moving forward.

Refining his plate discipline is the next step for Torres; by tempering his aggressive approach, he can improve his walk rate and the patience could allow him to see more pitches.

Leni Doñe - 18 YO | 6’2 185 | R/R - 3B

.277/.414 - .868 OPS | 14 XBH - 5 HR, 27 RBI | 11.4 BB% - 18.3 K% | 125 wRC+

Leni Done made his professional debut last season and turned in a quietly solid performance. He hit .277 with a strong .414 OBP, flashed encouraging power, and kept his strikeout rate at a manageable 18% — a strong indicator of present bat-to-ball ability.

The offensive foundation is there: on-base skills, developing pop, and controlled swing decisions. That combination gives him a stable baseline heading into year two.  It wouldn’t be surprising if the Yankees opted to return him to the DSL for additional reps, but given his production, and the relative lack of established third base depth at the lower levels, there’s a legitimate case for pushing him stateside. His debut performance should be rewarded.

Justin Capellan - 19 YO | 5’10 180 | R/R - C

.255/.382 - .825 OPS | 16 XBH - 6 HR, 37 RBI | 14 BB% - 18.3 K% | 111 wRC+

Justin Capellan’s adjustments at the plate last season translated directly into his best season.

Capellan’s revamped approach showed up immediately in the underlying metrics. He increased his walk rate by 4% while trimming his strikeout rate from 21% to 18%, signaling improved swing decisions and overall contact quality. He also began pulling the ball nearly 12% more often, a change that correlated with a notable jump in power production, as his home run total rose from 1 the previous season to 6.

After spending two full seasons in the DSL, Capellan has put together the type of progression you want to see before a promotion. The combination of improved discipline and emerging pull-side power suggests he has earned an opportunity at the FCL.

Estivenzon Montero - 19 YO | 6’1 190 | R/R - OF

.287/.389 - .899 OPS | 17 XBH - 8 HR, 30 RBI | 13.5 BB% - 28.1 K% | 125 wRC+

Estivenzon Montero received significantly more playing time this season, and he capitalized on it.

With the expanded opportunity came measurable production gains across the board. His extra-base hit total climbed from 13 to 17, and his home run output surged from just 1 in 2024 to 8 this past season, finishing Top 5 in the league. The jump in over-the-fence power represents a meaningful step forward in his offensive profile.

The growth was fueled by major improvements in plate discipline and contact quality. Montero increased his contact rate from 46.9% to 63.9% while slashing his whiff rate from 30.5% down to 16%. Those gains reflect a far more controlled and competitive approach at the plate, allowing his natural power to play more consistently.

The combination of increased opportunity, improved swing decisions, and emerging power makes Montero one of the more notable developmental risers from this past season.

Montero’s performance last season should put him front and center for a promotion off the island.

Anthony Mena - 21 YO | 6’2 175 | R/R - RHP

3.15 ERA - 1.29 WHIP | 45.2 IP - 43 H, 16 BB, 57 K | 11.2 K/9 - 29.1 K% | .242 AVG

Anthony Mena emerged as one of the Yankees’ most effective pitchers in the DSL last season, taking a significant step forward in multiple areas.

The most notable development was his improved ability to get ahead in counts. Mena boosted his first-pitch strike rate from 17% to 40%, a dramatic jump that helped reshape his overall performance. Working from more favorable counts allowed his stuff to play up, resulting in his strikeout rate climbing from 19% to 29%.

The improvements didn’t stop there. He cut opponents’ batting average against from .348 down to .242 and generated more ground balls, increasing his groundball rate by six percentage points. The combination of improved command, bat-missing ability, and contact management signals real progression rather than surface-level fluctuation.

Given both his performance last season and age, Mena appears well-positioned to make the jump to the FCL in 2026.

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