Mexico Claims Victory in the Caribbean Series!
In an exhilarating conclusion to the 2025-2026 Winter Leagues, which took place from November to January across the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, Mexico emerged triumphant in the Caribbean Series. Each participating nation held playoffs to determine their league champions, allowing those top teams to advance and compete for this prestigious title.
Initially set to host the series, Venezuela had to withdraw due to escalating political tensions and concerns about player safety. This unexpected shift resulted in the tournament being relocated to Mexico, leading to an intriguing scenario where Mexico fielded two teams in the competition.
The Competing Teams
The Leones del Escogido, representing the Dominican Republic, boasted several former San Diego Padres players, including catcher Martin Maldonado, outfielder Franchy Cordero, and infielder Eguy Rosario. Notably, while all three contributed throughout the season, only Cordero participated in the series. Francis Pena, a promising right-handed pitcher and a Padres prospect who received an invitation to major league camp, notably closed out the championship game for Escogido. The team was managed by baseball legend Albert Pujols.
On the other hand, the Canerijeros de Santurce from Puerto Rico secured their league title by a three-game margin. However, they faced significant offensive challenges during the series, ultimately finishing third after being eliminated in the semi-finals.
Representing Panama, the Federales de Chiriqui featured former Padre Christian Bethancourt as their catcher, but unfortunately, they struggled throughout the tournament, concluding with an unfortunate 0-4 record and finishing at the bottom of the standings.
Mexico’s representation was unique, with two teams participating: the Charros de Jalisco, who won their league, and the Tomateros de Culiacan, who stepped in to replace Venezuela. Charros wore red, while Tomateros donned green. Interestingly, brothers Tirso Ornelas and Julian Ornelas both played for Charros; however, Tirso was not part of the championship roster or the series. Julian, serving as the No. 2 hitter, finished with an impressive .308 batting average and an .857 OPS.
The manager for Mexico Red, Benji Gil, a former World Series champion, had the additional joy of coaching his son Mateo Gil during the tournament. Notably, he is also slated to manage the Mexican team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC) next month.
The Mexico Green team showcased talent with former Padre Allan Cordoba playing center field and newly signed minor leaguer Luis Verdugo stepping in as shortstop and occasional designated hitter. Verdugo, who is the older brother of Padres prospect Rosman Verdugo, finished the tournament with an outstanding .381 batting average, .409 on-base percentage, and .476 slugging percentage. Catcher Ali Solis, who played for the Padres back in 2012, continues to contribute significantly as Mexico's catcher.
The Thrilling Series
The Caribbean Series (you can find more details at ESPN Caribbean Series) operates as a round-robin tournament, where teams with the best records advance to the knockout stages. This year, the semi-finals saw the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and both Mexican teams competing against each other. Entering the series, Escogido was considered the favorite due to their status as defending champions and the presence of multiple MLB prospects. They started strong with a 3-0 record but faced setbacks, losing two consecutive games, including the crucial semi-final against Mexico Green. Meanwhile, Mexico Red secured their spot in the finals by defeating Puerto Rico in the other semi-final.
This set the stage for an all-Mexican championship showdown that lasted over four hours and stretched into ten innings. In a nail-biting finish, Mexico Red triumphed over Mexico Green, winning the match thanks to two wild pitches in the bottom of the tenth inning. The tournament was held in Jalisco, Mexico, at a high altitude of over 5,000 feet, resulting in a series filled with runs and hits galore.
The final score was a staggering 12-11, showcasing weary pitchers struggling to find their rhythm. Former Padre Odrisamer Despaigne pitched for Mexico Green but also encountered difficulties, failing to replicate his earlier success from a six-inning start just days prior. He managed only 0.2 innings in the finale, yielding four earned runs.
During his stint with Charros de Jalisco, Tirso Ornelas recorded a .236 batting average, .300 on-base percentage, and .292 slugging percentage across 21 games and 80 plate appearances, driving in seven runs. His inability to produce power numbers has hindered his efforts to secure a spot on the Padres’ 26-man roster, as he did not hit any home runs and only managed four doubles during his time in Mexico.
Looking ahead, many of these athletes are expected to participate in the upcoming WBC, followed by a Summer League where most will also take part. It’s not unusual for these players to engage in almost year-round baseball, highlighting their dedication to the sport.
