May 31, 2013 at 2:23 PM
Red Sox set Dominican Summer League roster
The Red Sox have set the roster for their Dominican Summer League affiliate. Right-handed pitcher Jose Almonte, second baseman Alejandro Basabe, and his twin brother, outfielder Alexander Basabe highlight the 2013 squad. The DSL season begins on June 1 when the Sox visit the DSL Rays.
Almonte was signed to a $610,000 deal at the beginning of the international signing season by scout Manny Nanita. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound right-hander out of the Dominican Republic is the most highly touted member of the DSL staff.
The Basabe twins, from Venezuela, signed in August to deals of $450,000 apiece. Born August 26, 1996, they are the youngest players currently under contract with the Red Sox.
The biggest surprise of the roster came in someone who was not on the team. Shortstop Wendell Rijo will debut stateside, likely with the Gulf Coast League team. Rijo signed in July to a $575,000 bonus but suffered a torn ACL soon after. Rijo was playing in intra-squad games in spring training, and is expected to be ready for GCL opening day on June 21.
The roster includes 11 players whose signings were not previously announced: pitchers Gerson Bautista, Samir El Halaby, Daniel Gonzalez, Algenis Martinez, and Ritzi Mendoza; catchers Isaias Lucena and Jhon Nunez; infielders Luis Benoit and Gerardo Carrizalez; and outfielders Oscar Bartomolde and Juan Hernandez.
Manager Jose Zapata will lead the DSL team for a seventh season. His coaching staff will include the recently retired Aly Gonzalez, who played for Zapata from 2009 to 2011.
Along with the roster, Jonathan Singer of SoxProspects.com has confirmed five players who were part of the 2012 DSL team have been released: first baseman Roberto Duncan; infielders Junior Estrella and Andres Garcia; and outfielders Gregori Titts and Robert Del Rosario.
The full roster is available on the SoxProspects.com roster page.