The future is now, and while most prospects do not become household names until they start their minor league careers in the United States, many players in the Dominican Summer League are worth monitoring before they join their respective clubs’ minor league teams. Last season, the Dodgers’ Emil Morales and the Cardinals’ Rainiel Rodriguez were standouts during the 2024 DSL. This season, both players have come over to the United States as they begin their journey through the minor leagues. The 2025 DSL has many players succeeding, and the following players will become familiar to the baseball universe in the upcoming seasons. Here are two pitchers and two hitters standing out in the 2025 Dominican Summer League.
SS Josuar De Jesus – San Francisco Giants
The switch-hitting shortstop should head stateside following the 2025 Dominican Summer League season. In 191 at-bats, De Jesus is slashing .288/.404/.455 with four home runs, 24 RBI, and 33 stolen bases. An advanced hitting approach has allowed De Jesus to combine his bat speed and ability to barrel the baseball. His hitting ability and above-average speed have experts comparing his potential to the Mets’ Francisco Lindor and former Major League shortstop Jose Reyes. This is high praise for a player who is two months from his 18th birthday. De Jesus’ potential makes him a player that all baseball fans should start to monitor as he begins his ascent through the minor leagues.
OF Cris Rodriguez – Detroit Tigers
Rodriguez projects as a power-hitting Major Leaguer. He won’t be 18 until January, and will fill into his 6’3”, 200lb frame. This season, Rodriguez is slashing .308/.340/.564 with 10 home runs, 39 RBI, and 10 stolen bases. The only blemish on his offensive ability is his swings and misses. Whiffs have led to him posting a strikeout rate of 24%. This will be something Detroit’s organization will work on as he starts his minor league career stateside. Given his size, he possesses good speed, and his throwing arm is already above average. The Tigers’ future power-hitting outfielder has the tools to become a perennial All-Star.
RHP Anthony Astudillo – Texas Rangers
The 20-year-old has put together a solid 2025 season. In 11 starts, the right-handed pitcher has a 2.93 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts in 46 innings. Standing at 6’0” and 165lbs, Astudillo does not possess the ideal size for a starting pitcher, but there is a lot to like in his abilities. He’s frequently turned to his plus-fastball, and his slider has been a go-to secondary pitch when ahead in the count. The young pitcher has a strong strikeout rate at 32% and an impressive 6.8% walk rate. His lively arm and frame are comparable to Major League pitcher CJ Edwards, and Astudillo could be on a similar career path that leads to a bullpen role.
RHP Adrian Ardines – Houston Astros
Houston has success in signing and developing international pitchers. Ronel Blanco, Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier, and Framber Valdez are Houston international signings who reached the Major Leagues, and Adrian Ardines may be their next top pitching prospect. In 13 games, the right-handed pitcher owns a 1.91 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts in 42.1 innings. His low-90s fastball and changeup are elite-level, and his repertoire also includes a slider and changeup. His elite arm has produced a 34% strikeout rate and 4.2% walk rate. Ardines turns 19 years old in October and should join Houston’s minor leagues in 2026. At 6’0” and 186 lbs, Ardines is another prospect that doesn’t have the ideal frame for a starting pitcher, but his elite skills and DSL success can see him develop into an elite closer in MLB.