Dominican pitcher Rafael Soriano steps in and performs in Yankees closer role

Dominican pitcher Rafael Soriano has been an anomaly in his Major League Baseball career. He has been in the majors for parts of eleven seasons, but only full time for the last five. He has been dominate at times (45 out of 48 saves in 2010 with Tampa Bay), but at other times he has seemed average (his ERA dropped to 4.12 last season in a set-up role with the Yankees).

Soriano was expected to continue in his set-up role with the Yankees this season. He was in fact the team's third choice for the closer role. But after injuries to Dave Robertson and legendary closer Mariano Rivera, Soriano was next in line for the job.

Pretty good third option. The Dominican pitcher Soriano has flourished since being handed the closer role. He is 24 for 25 in save opportunities and has a 1.46 ERA. Some guys are just meant to be closers, and Soriano seems to come from that mold.

The Yankees are of course riding their bats in the hopes of bringing home another World Series, but Soriano is a welcome addition to the pitching staff, that should be able to close out games with regularity.

Dominican pitcher Rafael Soriano is from San Jose, Dominican Republic.

Dominican pitcher Rafael Soriano is the Yankees new closer, photo by Keith Allison on Flickr

Padres Dominican farmhand works on pitches and English

Padres minor league prospect Simon Castro is scheduled to open the season for the team's AAA affiliate the Tuscon Padres.  At 6 feet, 5 inches, Castro is an imposing physical specimen that could eventually see action at the front end of the Padres big league rotation.  Since coming to the minor leagues in 2006, the 22 year old Dominican has had to work on his pitching and his English skills.

Castro was listed as the Padres number three overall prospect by Baseball America, and could be ready for big league action toward the end of this season.  He has a career ERA of 3.88 and 447 strikeouts in 443 innings coming into this season.  Padres brass say he may need a little more time to develop.

And like most young Dominican prospects, he has had to work on his English too.  According to Castro:

"The teacher here taught me some things, and I get it from the guys. Everybody always helps me with the language. Anything I ask they tell me and let me know what it means, and that's how I learn."

Castro is from San Jose de los Llanos, DR, which is just outside the famed baseball town of San Pedro de Macoris.

Castro with the Tuscon Padres, by Phil Snyder on Flickr

Dominican MLB July 2010 Players of the Month

The Dominican Baseball Guy's Dominican Player of the Month for July 2010 was not a very hard choice.  Jose Bautista shared the AL Player of the month with Delmon Young, so Jose Bautista is the Dominican Baseball Guy Dominican Player of the Month for July 2010.   

Here is the MLB.com press release for the AL July player of the month.  Bautista has had a breakout year for the Blue Jays.  According to another article from the Blue Jays official website: 

In July, Bautista hit .347 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs. His 11 homers were the most in the Major Leagues for the month and his 19 extra-base hits were tied for the most in baseball. Bautista led the American League with a .765 slugging percentage as well.

This is the second time Bautista has led Majors in home runs (12 in May).  He is currently leading the Majors in home runs with 36, and is third in RBI with 88.  Looks like he is on his way to a coveted spot on the Dominican Baseball Guy's all-Dominican Team at the end of the year.  Jose is from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Baseball Guy Dominican Pitcher of the Month for July 2010 goes to Rafael Soriano.  Soriano has a 1.77 ERA with 33 saves on the season as the Tampa Bay Rays everyday closer.  He had 11 saves in July and received some votes for the July 2010 AL Pitcher of the month.  Rafael is from San Jose, DR.

On a side note, Wilson Betemit, who won a Dominican Winter League player of the week award last season (as the Dominican Baseball Guy blogged), won the Kansas City Royals player of the Month Award.  Wilson is from Santo Dominigo as well.