Estrellas Orientales secure Raimel Tapia for two years
SAN PEDRO DE MACORÍS – The Estrellas Orientales have announced the signing of outfielder Raimel Tapia to a two-year contract. This strategic agreement secures the player’s rights before he became a restricted free agent on February 15th, according to the team’s management.
Tapia, who will turn 32 on February 4th, arrives after completing his best season in the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). This was his fifth participation in the circuit, after debuting a decade ago in 2016.
The left-handed batter led the Regular Season of the championship in hits (73), games played (50), and plate appearances (222). In addition, he finished second in batting average with .356, establishing himself as one of the most outstanding offensive players of the tournament.
His 24 RBIs represented the third-highest total for the Stars, behind Rodolfo Castro (26) and Miguel Sanó (25), and the sixth-best mark in the entire league, despite performing mostly as a leadoff hitter.
Tapia also led the team in runs scored (30), doubles (12), and stolen bases (9).
Selected by the Stars in the 2014 Rookie Draft, Tapia participated in the Round Robin with the Leones del Escogido, where he batted .353 in 16 games.
During the World Series, Tapia played in four games, batting .250, before being limited by an injury.
In the 22 games won by the Stars during the Regular Season, Tapia had a .419 average, driving in 13 runs and scoring 15.
