2026 Twins Daily Dominican Summer League Hitter of the Year

[Steven Trefz]

 

The 2026 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season didn't yield a lot of positives, with the club needing a late season surge to even reach a 19-35 record. They were outscored by 113 runs over their 54-game season, but most of that statistic sits on the backs of sub-par pitching. The teenagers experiencing their first taste of professional ball actually raked a .282 average as a team and struck out far less than many of their peers. Power numbers were down comparatively to other clubs, but a few diamonds began to emerge out of the rough season as team average and runs produced ranked towards the top of the league.

Of the 20 main international signings for the Twins in 2026, 13 of them were batters. The Twins poured almost $7.5 million dollars into a hopeful pool of international teenage prospects, and most of their highest paid hitting prospects did deliver accordingly and bring some hope up the pipeline into 2027.

Here are the top DSL Hitters in terms of 2026 on-field performances according to our Twins Daily writers!

Honorable Mention
Jhon Gonzalez - 46 games, .299/.364/.437 (.800), 11-2B, 5-3B, 1-HR, 10-SB, 17-BB, 42-K.
Juan Holmann - 46 games, .310/.533/.535 (1.069), 7-2B, 0-3B, 3-HR, 14-SB, 31-BB, 31-K.

#3: (Tie) 1B/INF Daiyer Barboza & SS Enmanuel Merlo
Barboza and Merlo tied amongst the voters, with each delivering positive signs of growth towards the end of the season. The 6' 2", 176 pounds, 17-year-old Barboza signed for only $130,000, and managed to hit above his expectations. The native Venezuelan was mainly utilized at first base, this infield prospect slashed a .272/.487/.412 (.899) line over 45 games and 197 plate appearances, which ranked second on the team. Barboza bats left-handed, and as his average increased over the summer, his power decreased. If the three-homer June can be rediscovered as he grows into his frame, it would be a hopeful development for the young corner infielder.

Merlo signed out of Venezuela for a whopping $1.5 million, which was the highest deal handed out by the Twins during that signing cycle. The 6' 2", 190 pounds 17-year-old was courted by the Dodgers but eventually decided to take his talents to Twins Territory when the Dodgers got distracted signing every Major League Free Agent possible. Merlo blew up in August, batting .432 in his final month and stacking some power into his stat line after a slow start to the season. Merlo aims to lock down the shortstop position during his climb up the organizational ladder, and his .311/.422/.429 (.850) season are successful enough to deserve some close looks in 2027 for early promotion. When you invest this much in a teenager, it's always a gamble. The Twins are definitely glad that Merlo finished his season trending in the right direction.

#2: Jeferson Abreu (C)
The Twins have poured prospect capital into their catching pipeline over the past year, and yet their biggest steal might be the 17-year-old, 5' 10", 165-pound Dominican Abreu. The young right-handed bat signed for only $45,000, but instantly made his presence felt with a .279/.406/.519 (.925) season. Abreu only worked 36 games, but he led the team in home runs with five, while also drilling eight doubles and balancing his walks and strike outs perfectly at 31 apiece. The power is tantalizing, and hopefully Abreu can learn the craft behind the plate as well in order to keep his presence moving up the ladder.

#1: Jendy Martinez (2B/SS)
Martinez signed for $500,000 and carried a shortstop moniker at first, while playing at second base throughout the season as well. The 17-year-old switch-hitter from the Dominican Republic struggled through his first few months (.214 avg), before ending with a sensational August (.419 avg). He played in 47 games and hit .276/.483/.428 (.911) when it was all said and done. He hit 13 doubles, three triples, and one home run. Most importantly, the young Martinez managed 58 walks while only striking out 18 times! At 5-9 and 165 pounds, he has a long way to grow in order to add power to his arsenal, but the contact skills can't be ignored. Martinez ranked second in runs scored (45), towards the top of the squad in RBI (33), and first in stolen bases (22)! For these all-around reasons and the trajectory of his season the Twins Daily writers are proud to select him as this year's Dominican Summer League Hitter of the Year!

As these prospects make the move up the ladder and onto the American minor league ballpark soil in 2027, we can't wait to see how their unique skill sets continue to grow. Congratulations to these players on a successful first pro season!

 

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[rdehring]

Interesting group, Cody.  Thanks for including what they signed for.

I know this was hitters only.  Not expecting a lot when you get to pitchers as it seemed their score nearly every day had the opposing team in double digits.

[gman]

Tough question, "but why don't many Dominican players advance past High A?"

[ashbury]

Narrator: "And none of them were ever heard from again."

Hope that's not true.  But watching the progress of 17-year olds isn't for the impatient.

[ashbury]

7 hours ago, rdehring said:

Not expecting a lot when you get to pitchers as it seemed their score nearly every day had the opposing team in double digits.

Gotta be 17-year old Adrian Martinez with his gaudy 6.67 ERA, or else graybeard 20-year old Fernando Hernandez who clocked a microscopic 4.05 in lighter duty against these younger opponents.