MLB Rookie Profile: Seranthony Dominguez, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

On Monday the Philadelphia Phillies promoted rookie Seranthony Dominguez to the major league roster. He made his MLB debut with a shutout inning of relief work against the San Francisco Giants. He could be a significant part of the Phillies bullpen going forward, so let’ take a quick look.

The Phillies signed Dominguez as a free agent from the Dominican Republic in 2012. His progress was slowed by injuries but he’s been reasonably effective when healthy, including a 3.61 ERA in 62 innings in High-A last year with a 75/30 K/BB.

Dominguez ranked 17th on the pre-season Philadelphia Phillies Top 20 prospects list with this comment:

17) Seranthony Dominguez, RHP, Grade C+/B-: Age 23, Dominican right-hander signed in 2012; posted 3.72 ERA with 82/34 K/BB in 68 innings; missed a few weeks with neck/shoulder strain but finished the season healthy; another hard-thrower, 93-96 with some higher reports; has a curve and change-up, needs to improve command, inconsistent but promising, may wind up in bullpen; I think the Phillies are cloning these guys; ETA 2020.

The pre-season ETA of 2020 was based on projected starting use but the Phillies made the “may wind up in bullpen” comment into reality this spring and his stock leapt forward. He threw 16.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A before his promotion, with a 1.62 ERA and a sharp 21/3 K/BB with only eight hits allowed.

Dominguez is listed at 6-1, 185, born November 25, 1994. Bullpen use seems to suit him; he can hit 98-99 at times, flashes a plus breaking ball and change-up, and showed much better command after the switch to relief this spring. He’s never thrown more than 68 innings in a season due to injuries so assigning him to the fireman corps is the logical move.