Mexico Emerges Victorious in the Caribbean Series
In a thrilling conclusion to the 2025-2026 Winter Leagues, which spanned from November to January across the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, Mexico has claimed the Caribbean Series title. Each participating nation held playoffs to crown their league champions, who then advanced to compete in this prestigious tournament.
Originally scheduled to take place in Venezuela, the series was relocated to Mexico due to concerns surrounding political instability and player safety. This shift resulted in Venezuela’s withdrawal from the competition, leaving the host nation to field two teams in the tournament.
Teams Competing for Glory
The Dominican champions, Leones del Escogido, showcased a roster brimming with former San Diego Padres players, including catcher Martin Maldonado, outfielder Franchy Cordero, and infielder Eguy Rosario. Among these talents, only Cordero participated in the series. Notably, right-handed pitcher Francis Pena, a promising Padres prospect invited to major league camp, played a crucial role by closing the championship game for Escogido, which was managed by the legendary Albert Pujols.
Representing Puerto Rico, the Canorejeros de Santurce clinched their league title by a three-game margin but faced difficulties at the plate during the series, ultimately concluding their run in third place after being knocked out in the semi-finals.
The Federales de Chiriqui, hailing from Panama, featured former Padre Christian Bethancourt as their catcher. Unfortunately, they struggled throughout the tournament, finishing without a win at 0-4 and taking the last position.
Mexico's presence in the competition was marked by two teams: Charros de Jalisco, who emerged as league champions, and Tomateros de Culiacan, who stepped in as Venezuela’s substitute. Charros represented Mexico in red, while Tomateros donned green uniforms. Notably, Padres outfield prospect Tirso Ornelas and his older brother Julian were part of the Charros roster; however, Tirso did not participate in the championship game or the series. Julian, batting second in the lineup, finished with an impressive .308 batting average and an OPS of .857.
Benji Gil, a former World Series champion in Major League Baseball, managed the Charros and had the unique opportunity to coach his son Mateo Gil during the tournament. He is also slated to manage the Mexican team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC) next month.
On the Mexico Green team, fans were excited to see former Padre Allan Cordoba patrolling center field and newly signed minor league player Luis Verdugo taking on shortstop and designated hitter duties. Verdugo, the elder brother of Padres prospect Rosman Verdugo, who is a 20-year-old infielder in the system and played for Fort Wayne last season, had an outstanding performance with a batting line of .381/.409/.476. Additionally, catcher Ali Solis, who played for the Padres in 2012, continued his career behind the plate for Mexico.
The Exciting Series
The Caribbean Series is structured as a round-robin tournament, where teams with the best records advance to the knockout stages. This year’s semi-finals featured teams from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and both Mexican squads. Entering the semi-finals as defending champions, Escogido was seen as the favorite, particularly with several MLB prospects on their roster. They kicked off strong, starting with a 3-0 record before suffering two consecutive losses, including a critical defeat to Mexico Green in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Mexico Red triumphed over Puerto Rico in the other semi-final matchup.
This set the stage for an all-Mexican championship showdown, which unfolded over an intense four-hour battle that extended into ten innings. Mexico Red ultimately secured victory on two wild pitches in the bottom of the tenth, triumphing in a nail-biting game that concluded with a score of 12-11. The tournament was held in Jalisco, Mexico, at an altitude exceeding 5,000 feet, leading to high-scoring games filled with hits.
The final game showcased fatigued pitchers struggling to find their rhythm. Former Padre Odrisamer Despaigne took the mound for Mexico Green but faced challenges, unable to replicate his previous success, allowing four earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning after an impressive six-inning start days earlier.
Tirso Ornelas, during his time with Charros de Jalisco, recorded a batting line of .236/.300/.292 over 21 games and 80 plate appearances, contributing seven RBIs. His struggles to showcase power have hindered his progress toward securing a spot on the Padres’ 26-man roster, culminating in a season with no home runs and just four doubles.
Looking ahead, many players from this tournament are set to participate in the WBC, followed by a Summer League where numerous athletes will continue to hone their skills. It’s quite common for these talented individuals to engage in nearly year-round baseball activities.
