Three Astros Face Off in the Dominican Winter League Championship

One current major-leaguer and two prospects of the Astros embark on the Dominican Winter League championship.

Down in the Dominican Winter League, the Estrellas Orientales will take on the Gigantes del Cibao in the championship series starting on Monday, Jan. 17. For the Houston Astros, they have three players participating in the series.

Those players are current major-leaguer Jose Siri and prospects Jeremy Pena and Ronel Blanco. Siri is representing the Gigantes, while the two prospects sport the Estrellas, respectively.

Siri’s Gigantes fell short in the championship last year, the same season he was awarded the Gold Glove and signed to a minor-league deal by the Astros. Since that signing, he received numerous accolades in Triple-A and made his major-league debut, before starting in the postseason.

For Pena, the 24-year-old picked up his second-consecutive Gold Glove for shortstop in LIDOM this season, while being the rookie of the year in 2020. He is eyed as Carlos Correa’s successor, while he continues to show defensive promise and grit at the plate.

Blanco has yet to see time on the 40-man roster, while he’s exposed to the inevitable major-league Rule 5 Draft in 2022. He could be selected once a new collective bargaining agreement is instilled, as he was the best Triple-A West closer in 2021 and has a resume to be a candidate for a major-league bullpen.

These three will face off starting Monday, Jan. 17, at 5:30 p.m. CST.

Here is the remaining schedule:

• Tuesday – 5 p.m. CST
• Wednesday – 5:30 p.m. CST
• Thursday – Off Day
• Friday – 3 p.m. CST
• Saturday – 5:30 p.m. CST*
• Sunday – 3 p.m. CST*
• Monday – 3 p.m. CST*

* If Necessary 

The games will be broadcasted on MLB.TV. This series could have some bragging rights in the mix, while Siri and Pena are likely teammates at the major-league level at some point in the 2022 season.