The 2025 LIDOM (Dominican Winter League) Rookie Draft was held on Wednesday, showcasing the next wave of Dominican baseball stars. Here’s a breakdown of the first-round picks and a full list of selections by team.
1. Toros del Este — IF Felnin Celesten (Seattle Mariners) – With the first overall pick, the Toros del Este selected Mariners prospect Felnin Celesten. The 19-year-old shortstop is currently hitting .273/.345/.375 with 6 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases. Ranked No. 92 in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, Celesten is expected to start the 2026 season in High-A with the Everett AquaSox.
2. Gigantes del Cibao — SS Emil Morales (Los Angeles Dodgers) – The Gigantes took shortstop Emil Morales with the second pick. Born in Spain and raised in the Dominican Republic, the 18-year-old has quickly emerged as one of the top young talents in the game. Morales hit 14 home runs in the 2024 Dominican Summer League—the second-highest total in the 21st century—and continued to impress in 2025.
Despite not yet cracking MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, Morales—ranked No. 7 in the Dodgers’ system—is expected to make a significant jump soon.
3. Leones del Escogido — C Rainiel Rodríguez (St. Louis Cardinals) – Escogido, the reigning 2025 LIDOM champions, selected a big time prospect in 18-year-old catcher Rainiel Rodríguez.
Rodríguez is the only 18-year-old to hit 13 or more home runs at Single-A this season. He’s just the second catcher ever to post a wRC+ higher than 150 as an 18-year-old in 250 or more plate appearances. Ranked No.94 by MLB Pipeline, he’s projected to break into the top 30 prospects by 2026.
4. Tigres del Licey — SS Jesús Made (Milwaukee Brewers) – Licey selected Jesús Made, an elite contact hitter who can create havoc on the basepaths from San Cristóbal, D.R.
Made holds the highest wRC+ for any 18-year-old in High-A this year and is now the No. 5 overall prospect in MLB. Licey, often dubbed the “Yankees of LIDOM,” will be hoping to get organizational approval to feature him this winter.
5. Águilas Cibaeñas — OF Edward Florentino (Pittsburgh Pirates) – The Águilas selected dynamic Pirates outfielder Edward Florentino, another fast-rising 18-year-old.
Ranked No. 5 in Pittsburgh’s system by MLB Pipeline, Florentino’s mix of power, speed, and plate discipline has elevated him into one of the elite Dominican prospects in the minors.
6. Estrellas Orientales — SS Luis Peña (Milwaukee Brewers) – The final pick of the first round was shortstop Luis Peña, a standout in the Brewers’ system.
Despite the adjustment struggles at High-A, Peña remains a top-tier talent and is currently ranked No. 16 overall by MLB Pipeline.
Full LIDOM Draft Selections by Team:
Toros del Este
IF Felnin Celesten (SEA)
OF Brailer Guerrero (TB)
OF Justin Gonzáles (BOS)
LHP Johan Simón (TOR)
RHP Marlon Nieves (LAD)
RHP Andy Rodríguez (TB)
OF Randy Guzmán (NYM)
RHP José Bello (BOS)
OF Paulino Santana (TEX)
RHP Danny Hilario (TB)
OF Tony Blanco Jr. (PIT)
IF Joshua Liranzo (BAL)
RHP Adilson Peralta (PHI)
RHP Alejandro Crisóstomo (FA)
Gigantes del Cibao
IF Emil Morales (LAD)
IF Roldy Brito (COL)
OF Arnaldo Latigua (CIN)
IF Yonatan Henríquez (NYM)
IF Joendry Vargas (LAD)
RHP Junior Sánchez (ARI)
RHP Liomar Martínez (MIA)
RHP Juan Arnaud (NYM)
RHP Raimy Rodríguez (HOU)
RHP Carlos Lagrange (NYY)
LHP Myles Caba (LAD)
LHP Víctor Cabreja (PIT)
IF Dameury Peña (MIN)
RHP Clevari Tejada (PIT)
RHP Juan Reynoso (MIA)
C Engelth Ureña (NYY)
Leones del Escogido
C Rainiel Rodríguez (STL)
IF Derek Bernard (COL)
IF Dervy Ventura (SEA)
RHP Hansel Marcelino (YOK)
LHP Sandro Santana (ARI)
IF D’Angelo Ortiz (BOS)
RHP Justin Florentino (CHC)
RHP Edgar Moreta (NYM)
RHP Cristofer Gómez (NYM)
LHP Luis Flores (CLE)
OF Stiven Martínez (BAL)
IF Alexis Hernández (CHC)
RHP José Cabrera (LAD)
RHP Luis Reyes (CWS)
IF Héctor Salas (HOU)
RHP Enrique Segura (TEX)
Tigres del Licey
IF Jesús Made (MIL)
OF Raudi Rodríguez (LAA)
IF Ángel Feliz (WSH)
IF Starlyn Núñez (BOS)
LHP Dameivi Tineo (MIA)
RHP Randel Clemente (STL)
RHP Ruddy Gómez (MIN)
RHP Michael Pérez (MIA)
OF José Anderson (MIL)
RHP Luis Beltrán (BAL)
RHP Mervin Fell (ARI)
RHP Jefferson Jean (Athletics)
LHP Henry Lalane (NYY)
OF Manolfi Jiménez (PHI)
IF Elis Cuevas (BAL)
IF Jorgelys Mota (WSH)
IF Yerald Nin (ARI)
Águilas Cibaeñas
OF Edward Florentino (PIT)
OF Esmil Valencia (MIA)
IF Ángel Cepeda (CHC)
IF Alfredo Alcántara (CIN)
RHP Wellington Aracena (BAL)
LHP Reinold Navarro (PIT)
RHP Leomar Rosario (HOU)
LHP Andy Fabián (BAL)
RHP Josh Hansell (KC)
RHP Yenrri Rojas (CHC)
RHP Yeri Pérez (KC)
IF Kelvin Hidalgo (COL)
RHP Jean Henríquez (FA)
LHP Yenfri Sosa (KC)
RHP Joan Ogando (HOU)
OF Derik Alcántara (CHC)
Estrellas Orientales
IF Luis Peña (MIL)
IF Yassel Soler (ARI)
IF Carlos Sanchez (CIN)
OF Robert Calaz (COL)
RHP Junior William (TB)
LHP Wande Torres (MIL)
RHP Gilberto Batista (TOR)
LHP Melkis Hernández (CLE)
RHP Yimi Presinal (KC)
IF Yoeilin Céspedes (BOS)
LHP Frankeli Arias (CWS)
RHP Johan Otañez (WSH)
LHP Juanmi Vásquez (TOR)
IF Freili Encarnación (BOS)
RHP Nelfy Ynfante (STL)
OF Raylin Ramos (BAL)
The LIDOM regular season is set to begin on October 15 and will run through December 23, followed by the four-team round robin playoff. The top two teams in the round robin face off in a best-of-seven championship series, with the winner representing the Dominican Republic at the Caribbean Series.
Photo: Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic hosts the Leones del Escogido and Tigres del Licey of the LIDOM. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)
