One of the Blue Jays’ rookie teams is average, the other is well below average.
This is the fifth and final article in the series where we look at each of the Blue Jays’ affiliates. Instead of writing two separate articles for the two rookie league teams, I’ll combine the Florida Complex League and the Dominican Summer League teams into one article.
The Florida Complex League (FCL) Jays are the worst in the league, and it isn’t particularly close. They have an abysmal 12-40 record, along with a -106 run differential. They’ve been eliminated from postseason play, but they never really had a chance.
On the other hand, the Dominican Summer League (DSL) Jays have been a very streaky team all season, going on a lengthy winning streak and losing streak. They have won their last four games and have a 18-14 record, fourth in their division and six games back of first place. Six of the 10 players we’ll look at in this article play for the DSL Jays.
Let’s dig in!

Kendry Chirinos

Kendry Chirinos is a 19-year-old infielder who can play first base, second base, and third base, having played 300.1 innings at the position at the hot corner this season. In reality, he’s been one of the most improved players in the entire organization, as he slashed .198/.435/.260 with two homers in 138 plate appearances with the FCL Jays last season. That saw an incredible 26.8 BB%, but an elevated K% of 33.3%.
He’s been terrific for the FCL Jays this season, slashing .300/.402/.443 with two homers in 164 plate appearances, along with eight doubles (he didn’t have one last season), three triples, and a lower K% at 25%. While the BB% has dropped significantly to 9.8%, his batting average has risen over .100 points, pretty darn impressive.

Luis Meza

There’s one other player on the FCL Jays roster with a wRC+ above 100 (min: 50 plate appearances), and it’s the Jays top signing in the 2022 International Free Agent class, catcher Luis Meza.
The catcher’s first season in the organization wasn’t great, slashing .229/.267/.292 with no home runs and four doubles in 101 plate appearances for wRC+ of 54. He wasn’t any better after getting a promotion to the FCL in 2023, slashing .192/.276/.212 with one double in 59 plate appearances for a 39 wRC+.
However, Meza has had a solid year with the FCL Jays in 2024, as he’s slashing .304/.385/.321 with just one double. The lack of extra-base power is certainly a concern, but catchers take forever to develop.

Randy Soto

Of players with 70 plate appearances in the organization, Randy Soto’s 164 wRC+ ranks as the highest.
Signed during the 2024 International Free Agency, Soto is off to a terrific start to his professional career with the DSL Jays, as he’s slashing .299/.523/.368 with no home runs, six doubles, and a higher BB% (22.3%) than K% (14.6) in 130 plate appearances. He’s also driven in 17 runs and has been hit by a pitch 13 times.
Soto is interesting because he’s also played some catcher this season, putting in 70 innings behind the plate where he’s thrown out four runners in 19 attempts (21.1 CS%). The young player has had issues with blocking though, allowing five passed balls. Soto has also played 139 innings at first base.
The 17-year-old can evidently get on base, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s tested stateside next season.

Juarlin Soto

No relation, as Randy Soto is from Venezuela while Juarlin Soto is from the Dominican Republic. With that being said, J. Soto also signed during the 2024 International Free Agency period and has had a good start to his career.
This season with the DSL Jays, Soto is slashing .266/.449/.330 with a higher BB% (23.8%) than K% (19.7), along with three doubles and two triples in 147 plate appearances for a 130 wRC+
He’s played 130 innings at shortstop, committing just three errors. He’s also played 89 innings at second base, where he’s made five errors. It’ll be interesting to watch how the two Soto’s develop.

Yorman Licourt

This isn’t Yorman Licourt’s first professional season, as the 20-year-old played in the Cuban National Series during the 2023-24 season with Vegueros de Pinar del Rio. The outfielder slashed .238/.304/.286 with a double in 23 plate appearances.
His numbers have improved in the DSL, as he’s slashing .267/.343/.425 with four homers in 140 plate appearances, but has a worrisome 32.1 K% along with a 9.3 BB%. He’s also hit five doubles and one triple.

Luis Torres

Switching back to the FCL for pitchers, 19-year-old lefty Luis Torres has been the FCL Jays’ best pitcher this season.
He’s posted a 2.33 ERA and a 4.43 FIP in 27 innings pitched, all in relief, along with a 25.4 K% and an 8.8 BB%. He even had a cup of tea with the Dunedin Blue Jays before the All-Star break, but allowed three runs in an inning and a third.
Still, he’s one of a few bright spots on a team that’s struggled mightily in 2024.

Eminen Flores

On top of an 80 grade name, Eminen Flores is the FCL Jays’ best starting pitcher in 2024.
Signed during the 2022 International Free Agency period, Flores had a 2.10 ERA and a 5.18 FIP in the DSL in 2022, along with a 17.2 K% and a 7.1 BB%. He regressed a bit in 2023 in the same league, where he had a 4.17 ERA and a 4.71 FIP in 45.1 innings pitched, along with a 21 K% and a 9.2 BB%.
However, Flores has made seven starts in nine appearances, and has a 3.63 ERA and a 5 FIP in 39.2 innings pitched, while posting a career-high 22 K%. The 21-year-old’s BB% has jumped up to 15%, which is worrisome, but he had to be mentioned.

Eduar Gonzalez

Eduar Gonzalez signed with the Blue Jays organization during the 2023 International Free Agency period, and made his professional debut in 2023 with the DSL Jays. There he posted a 6 ERA and a 4.37 FIP in 36 innings pitched, along with a 20.4 K% and a 9.9 BB%, pitching exclusively out of the bullpen in his 15 starters.
Well, the 18-year-old lefty transitioned to the rotation with the DSL Jays this season, where he has posted a 3.14 ERA and a 3.48 FIP in 28.2 innings pitched, along with a 24.4 K% and a 7.9 BB%.
Worth keeping an eye on the left-handed starter, even if he stands at 5’11”, 155 lbs.

Sann Omosako

Sann Omosako is one of three Brazilians in the Blue Jays organization, and signed with the team during the 2023 International Free Agency period.
Last season with the DSL Jays, he had a 2.61 ERA and a 3.93 FIP in 20.2 innings pitched, along with a 19.3 K% and a 3.6 BB%. The 18-year-old has drastically improved in 2024 though, posting a 1.59 ERA and a 2.83 FIP in 34 innings pitched (five starts in seven appearances), while raising his K% to 28.6%, while dropping his BB% to an astonishing 1.5%.
Of pitchers with 30 or more innings pitched in the organization, his K-BB% of 27.1% ranks as the highest, and no one even comes close to posting a 1.5%. Omosako will one day rank on top Blue Jays prospect lists.

Josue Loreto

Sticking with DSL Blue Jays pitchers, the Jays signed Josue Loreto during the 2024 International Free Agent signing period, and he’s been terrific in his professional debut.
In 10.2 innings pitched, the 17-year-old has a 1.69 ERA and a 4.41 FIP in 10.2 innings pitched, along with a 15.6 K% and an 8.9 BB%. He only recently turned 17 as well, as he was born on July 8, 2007. As far as I can tell, he is the youngest player in the Blue Jays organization as of right now.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.