3/12/2012 6:17:36 PM
The 34 players from the Dominican Prospect League held an open workout for scouts today at the Toronto Blue Jays minor league complex in Dunedin, Florida. The workout was attended by about 45-50 scouts, not including myself, Ben Ford and Brad Clement from Perfect Game.
Interestingly, both Ben and the DPL vans went to the Blue Jays Big League stadium and fields first and had to get new directions to the minor league complex. The two are separated in a similar way as the Red Sox 5-Plex and City of Palms Park are in Fort Myers. Rookie mistakes.....
I'll tell you what, these guys can make a workout fly. If you think a Perfect Game showcase runs smoothly and on time, you need to watch one of these DPL workouts. Uli Cabrera told me that they had this group together for three days before they left the Dominican Republic and that they practiced the workout routine and what everyone (including their 7 coaches) was to do at each point. It's choreographed and it leaves you hustling as a scout to be in the right position if you're position sensitive like I am. The players (remember, these are 15 and 16 year olds) are enthusiastic and hustle everywhere with military discipline and enthusiasm.
While Brad and I were waiting around for everyone to get to the right place, we did get to watch two Blue Jays minor league intrasquad games being played and saw Iowa natives Kellen Sweeney (fly out) and Derek Loveless (K) come to bat. We also saw Blue Jays 2011 Comp Round pick RHP Kevin Comer throw an inning and he looked outstanding.