LIDOM Rookie Draft: Yairo Padilla selected first overall

The 2026 LIDOM Rookie Draft took place in Santo Domingo, featuring several notable selections for Dominican Winter League teams. The Toros del Este used the first overall pick to select 19-year-old shortstop Yairo Padilla. A prospect within the St. Louis Cardinals organization, Padilla has played across Rookie, Class A, and Class A+ levels, recording a .275 batting average and five home runs during the 2026 season.

In a notable shift in talent scouting, the Tigres del Licey selected left-handed pitcher Estalin Ortiz in the seventh overall pick. Ortiz made history as the first player selected in the draft from an organization outside of the Major League Baseball system, having played for the Acereros de Monclova in the Mexican Baseball League.

Other players selected from international or independent circuits included Yonawill Florimón from the Japanese league and Junior Cerda from the Independent League, both by Licey. The Toros del Este also acquired Mike Rosario, Erick Almonte Jr., and Ricardo Alberto Smith from various international and summer leagues.