David Reyes takes Mexico to the 2025 Caribbean Series Final

06/02/2025

Mexicali, Baja California (Prensa Águilas).- The Mexican team once again provided a great game defeating Puerto Rico by a score of 3-1 and reaching the Final of the Mexicali 2025 Caribbean Series.

David Reyes returned to pitch at his home, El Nido de Los Águilas, which was packed one more night, pitching 6 innings, taking his second victory, with 13 combined innings from game one on January 31 and this semifinal without allowing a run against the Mayagüez Indians.

CONDENSED GAME

https://youtu.be/Ch-e8pF1hPg

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Puerto Rico beat Venezuela and took third place

07/02/2025

Mexicali, Baja California (CBPC Press).- Supported by a solid offense, Indios de Mayagüez of Puerto Rico defeated Cardenales de Lara of Venezuela 7-4 in a game played before an attendance of almost 12,000 fans who filled a cold night at the "Nido de los Águilas", venue of the 67th. Mexicali 2025 Caribbean Series, which will close its curtains this Friday.

CONDENSED GAME

https://youtu.be/VZKAp09aoiE

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Mexico, DR battle for Caribbean Series championship (10 ET: MLB Network, MLB.TV)

2:09 PM CST

The stage is set for an intriguing championship game matchup in the 67th Caribbean Series on Friday at 10 p.m. ET on MLB Network and MLB.TV, between the Leones del Escogido (Dominican Republic) and the Charros de Jalisco (Mexico) at Mexicali’s Nido de las Águilas Stadium.

After sweeping its four-game round-robin schedule in the elimination stage, the host country’s Charros defeated Puerto Rico’s Indios de Mayagüez, 3-1, in Wednesday’s semifinal round to reach the championship game. Also on Wednesday, the Leones outlasted Venezuela’s Cardenales de Lara in the other semifinal, a 5-4 victory in 11 innings for the Dominican club.

Friday’s game presents notable contrasts in the teams’ route to the championship round, its managers and countries’ history in the tournament.

Familiar names with differing experience

The biggest name in the tournament on or off the field is Escogido manager and likely future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols. In his first experience managing, Pujols led the Leones to the team’s first Dominican League (LIDOM) title since 2016, and finds himself one win away from completing the championship journey in winter ball.

“We still haven’t achieved our goal, which is to try to bring the crown to the Dominican Republic,” Pujols said after Wednesday’s semifinal win. “For me, as a manager, it’s about putting the guys in a situation where they’re going to have success. After that, I give the credit to them.”

Pujols’ path to this point, however, has been uneven. After a hot start in LIDOM’s regular season, the Leones suffered skids in November and December, limping into the playoffs as a fourth seed. Pujols was not immune to criticism from fans or the media during that time. But the team righted the ship in the postseason and won a memorable seven-game championship series in the D.R. over Tigres del Licey. In Mexicali, the club has won three of its five contests in the Caribbean Series.

Charros skipper Benji Gil has won five Mexican Pacific League championships and is a winter ball veteran. The former MLB infielder was a mainstay as a player in Mexican Pacific League, forming part of a Tomateros de Culiacán team -- the same one he managed to four league championships from 2015-21 -- that won the Caribbean Series in 1996. With the Charros this year, Gil seeks his first Caribbean Series crown as a manager.

Gil also led Team Mexico to the 2023 World Baseball Classic semifinals at Miami’s loanDepot park.

D.R. with the bats, Mexico on the mound

In this Caribbean Series, the Dominican squad led the round-robin field in runs scored with 21, adding five more in Wednesday’s semifinal. It also leads the tournament in team average, OBP and slugging.

The Leones’ offense has been led by former big league outfielder Sócrates Brito, the club’s extra-inning hero on Wednesday with his decisive run-scoring double in the 11th. Brito leads the tournament with 10 hits, a .476 average and a .500 OBP. Kelvin Gutiérrez (.357 AVG) and Yamaico Navarro (.316) have also been key contributors.

On the other side, the Charros' pitching has gotten them this far. The host club has a team ERA of 1.00 and has allowed just five runs in its five games. In the first matchup of the Dominican and Mexican clubs, the Charros shut out the powerful Leones lineup on three hits during a 2-0 win on Sunday in the round-robin stage.

Starting pitchers

For the Charros, left-hander Manny Bañuelos will get the start, his second of the tournament. In his first outing, Saturday vs. Venezuela, the former big league hurler allowed just one run in six innings in a no-decision.

On the Dominican side, former MLB standout Johnny Cueto was lined up to start the championship game after he threw six scoreless innings on Saturday in a win over Japan Breeze (Japan). But Pujols announced after Wednesday’s semifinal that Cueto is suffering from the flu and will not start. Right-hander Esmil Rogers will go for the Leones in his place after he allowed two runs in six frames against the Charros on Sunday. Pujols added that if Cueto’s condition improves, he could be available out of the bullpen.

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Under the command of Albert Pujols and with a brilliant start by Esmil Rogers, the Dominican Republic ruined the hosts' party by blanking Mexico on Friday to become champions of the 2025 Caribbean Series .






Dominican Republic is the Champion of the Mexicali 2025 Caribbean Series

08/02/2025

Mexicali, Baja California (CBPC Press).- With a superb pitching performance, led by Esmil Rogers, Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Republic beat Mexico 1-0 in the final game of the Mexicali 2025 Caribbean Series and in this way raised their fifth crown of these classics.

CONDENSED GAME

https://youtu.be/OUj3pC-yvIM

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Right-hander Esmil Rogers pitched six scoreless innings Friday night as Escogido of the Dominican Republic won the Caribbean Series with a 1-0 victory over Mexico's Charros del Jalisco

By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Right-hander Esmil Rogers, who made 44 appearances for the Indians in 2012, has been named MVP of the Caribbean Series.

Rogers, 39, pitched six scoreless innings Friday night as the Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Republic beat Charros del Jalisco of Mexico, 1-0, for the championship at Nido de las Águilas Stadium in Mexicali.

In the series, Rogers (1-1) was named MVP for allowing just one run over 12 2/3 innings.

Rogers has not pitched in the big leagues since 2015 when he appeared with the Yankees. In parts of seven seasons, he pitched for the Rockies, Cleveland, Toronto and the Yankees.

The Indians purchased Rogers’ contract from the Rockies in June of 2012 after he’d been designated for assignment. The Indians lost 94 games that season, but Rogers excelled, going 3-1 with a 3.06 ERA. He struck out 54 and walked 13 in 53 innings.

In November of 2012, the Indians traded Rogers to Toronto for Mike Aviles and Yan Gomes. The trade proved to be a good one for the Indians as Aviles became a valuable utility man and Gomes eventually became the starting catcher under then manager Terry Francona.

The series title was the fifth for Escogido and a series-leading 23rd for the Dominican.

Since his last major league appearance in 2015, Rogers has pitched in Korea, Taiwan and Mexico.

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2012, the Indians traded Rogers to Toronto for Mike Aviles and Yan Gomes

Good Deal!!!

Nicaragua clinches 2026 Classic berth! Chinese Taipei, Spain vie for spot Tuesday

8:01 AM CST

Nicaragua has earned a berth in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, with a 6-0 victory over Chinese Taipei on Sunday morning capping a 3-0 run through the Classic Qualifier in Taiwan. They join 16 teams that had already secured their places in the Classic next spring.

Watch all the action LIVE at WorldBaseballClassic.com

Three other spots are still up for grabs, with the next one getting decided in a winner-moves-on showdown between Chinese Taipei and Spain on Tuesday morning at 6 ET. (The other qualifier taking place in Tucson, Ariz., will begin on March 2.)




Here's what to know for World Baseball Classic Qualifiers in Tucson



Tucson - March 2-6
Team W L
Brazil 0 0
China 0 0
Colombia 0 0
Germany 0 0
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Four nations will enter the Tucson World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, each dreaming of being among the 20 teams who will participate in the main tournament in 2026. Only two will see those hopes realized: The top team will advance following a three-game round robin, with a winner-moves-on final between the second- and third-place teams.

Here’s everything you need to know about the four teams playing in the tournament, which begins on March 2 at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Kino Sports Complex.

COLOMBIA

2023 performance: 1-3 in Group C

Current WBSC rank: 13

It was a difficult World Baseball Classic for Colombia in 2023: It began with a 10-inning victory over eventual semi-finalists Mexico, but a 5-0 loss to Canada and narrow defeats to Great Britain and the United States meant that the team would need to re-qualify for 2026.

Based on the roster heading to Tucson, the plan is WBC or bust. On paper, Colombia has the skill to sweep through the Qualifier and finish in first place, not needing to risk it in the second-place game.

There is plenty of Major League talent on the roster, with starting pitcher José Quintana, who returns to the national team after missing the 2023 tournament with an injury, leading the way. In addition, A’s infielder Gio Urshela (he struggled in the ‘23 Classic, going 0-for-14), and current free agent outfielder Harold Ramirez will provide plenty of thump on offense. Veterans Julio Teheran, Jorge Alfaro and Dilson Herrera add to the overabundance of talent.

Player to watch: Michael Arroyo

The Mariners infield prospect flew up rankings after his breakout 2024 campaign and broke into MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 rankings, slotting in at No. 98. Signed for $1.375 million in 2022, Arroyo hit .285 and nearly pulled off a 20/20 season as he went deep 23 times and stole 18 bases last season. (His brother Carlos, who is in the Braves system, joins him on the team.)

International competition can be difficult for prospects no matter how talented they are, as they face experienced veterans in must-win games. But with his blend of pop and patience, Arroyo could make a name for himself with a strong qualifier.

[ It remains to be seen whether or not DAYAN FRIAS will be playing in his 3rd straight World Baseball Classic. I guess it depends on what the Guardians have in store for Frias ]

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Chinese Taipei tops Spain to advance to World Baseball Classic

8:41 AM CST

The Qualifier host team is heading to the World Baseball Classic after Chinese Taipei held off Spain, 6-3, on Tuesday.

Chinese Taipei will join Nicaragua, which earned a berth in the 2026 World Baseball Classic with a 6-0 victory over its hosts on Sunday morning to cap a 3-0 run through the Classic Qualifier in Taiwan. Nicaragua and Chinese Taipei will join 16 teams that had already secured their places in the tournament next spring.

The other Qualifier, taking place in Tucson, Ariz., will begin on Sunday. Brazil, China, Colombia and Germany will vie for the two final spots.






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Does spring training mean anything?
Here's some numbers to look at:

Myles Straw is 2 for 4 for the Blue Jays. He's a career spring training star: Career Spring Training stat line of 348/394/502. He's even hit 5 homers,
in 2023 he hit 12 of 33 with 3 doubles and a homer OPS 1038 and went on to a really lousy season.
Not much worse last spring at 10-29 and 3 doubles, but the Tribe wasn't fooled and shipped him to Columbus where he didn't hit very well against AAA pitchers,

How about Nolan Jones?
Trying to get back on track after an injured and terrible 2024, he's 0-12 for the Rockies but at least he's only struck out 4 times. Does that mean anything?
In 2023 for COL his spring numbers were 192/250/231 and earned him a trip to AAA. When he returned after a month he had a breakout season
in 2024 he was better in the spring 250/310/285 although not star quaility. His season was a disaster therefafter
His career spring line is 198/307/261

One more to consider: is Jose Tena going to win the Nationals' 3B job? early on he has 1 single in 8 trips to the plate, 2 strikeouts, and as usual no walks.

Tucson World Baseball Classic Qualifier: Favourites Colombia unveil roster with plenty of MLB experience

José Quintana, Gio Urshela, Harold Ramirez, Julio Teheran, Jorge Alfaro, and Dilson Herrera provide MLB experience. Manager Jose Mosquera led Colombia to the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup bronze medal. He selected Fabian Pertuz and Brayan Buelvas (pictured above) from that roster.

Colombia manager Josè Mosquera announced a 28-man roster loaded with Major League Baseball (MLB) experience for the World Baseball Classic Qualifier due to take place at the Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tucson (Arizona), USA, from March 2 to 6.

World No. 13 Colombia had a disappointing campaign at the World Baseball Classic 2023. After starting with a win against Mexico, they lost three in a row to Canada, Great Britain, and the United States, and they had to start over from the Qualifier. They will face No. 17 Germany, No. 20 China and No. 23 Brazil in Tucson.

Veteran left-hander José Quintana missed the 2023 tournament with an injury. He started 333 MLB games over 13 years with the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, and New York Mets. He was the Mets' 2024 Opening Day starter.

Right-hander Julio Teheran started 247 games in 12 MLB seasons for the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers. In 2024, he started one game for the New York Mets. He also played at the Triple-A level for the Baltimore Orioles and Monterrey in the Mexican Baseball League (LMB).

Infielder Gio Urshela split the 2024 season between the Detroit Tigers and the Oakland A's. First baseman Harold Ramirez was on the Washington Nationals roster. Catcher Jorge Alfaro played 496 MLB games for the Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox from 2016 to 2023. He played in the Dominican Winter League in the 2024-25 season. Second baseman Dilson Herrera played 105 MLB games (New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Royals) between 2014 and 2020. He helped Colombia win the 2023 Pan Am Games and played for LMB's Veracruz in 2024.

Infielder Michael Arroyo (20) combined 23 home runs between the A and A+ levels of the Seattle Mariners. MLB rates him among the top 100 prospects.

Infielder Fabian Pertuz (Chicago Cubs) and outfielder Brayan Buelvas (Oakland A's) reached the Double-A level. They helped Mosquera to a bronze medal in the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2021.

Catcher Jair Camargo and pitcher Jean Herrera are U-23 Baseball World Cup 2022 alumni. Camargo (25) hit 12 home runs at Triple-A for the Minnesota Twins, while Herrera (24) pitched out of the bullpen in the independent Atlantic League and the Colombian Professional League.

Mosquera's staff includes Jhonatan Solano (bench coach), Dayan Diaz (pitching coach), Jaime Del Valle (first-base coach), Ronald Ramirez (third-base coach) and Jair Fernandez.

The other Qualifier will open on Friday, 21 February, at the Taipei Dome and run through February 25. World No. 2 Chinese Taipei will host No. 16 Nicaragua, No. 24 Spain, and No. 31 South Africa.

The first-place finishers and the winners of an elimination game between the second and third-place finishers of each group will advance to the World Baseball Classic 2026.

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Dayan Frías played on the Colombian national team. He appeared in the 2022 Caribbean Series. in 2022, Frias played in the Caribbean Series again. He made it onto Colombia's roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Reviewing the current roster for Columbia, apparently it does not include Frias.

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