Ramon Flores of Diablos Rojos del Mexico celebrates a score during the third inning of the sixth playoff game between Diablos Rojos del Mexico and Tigres de Quintana Roo on August 15, 2023, in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Jam Media/Getty Images)
Opening Day of the 2024 Liga Mexicana de Beisbol season is Thursday, April 11, with a matchup between the Diablos Rojos del Mexico and the Pericos de Puebla. There are ten teams in Zona Norte, and the Algodoneros de Union Laguna were the 2023 league champions.
Here are brief previews of each Zona Norte organization.
Acereros de Monclova (2023 Record: 46-43, Lost to Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos in First Round)
Notable Additions: SS Addison Russell, 1B Chris Carter
Notable Losses: 1B Yermin Mercedes, SS Alcides Escobar
Chris Carter returns to Monclova after leading the LMB with 49 home runs and 119 RBI during the club’s first championship season in 2019. Shortstop Addison Russell also rejoins Monclova after playing with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO in 2023.
Algodoneros de Unión Laguna (2023 Record: 49-40, Lost to Pericos de Puebla in Serie del Rey)
Notable Additions: 2B Jonathan Schoop
Notable Losses: SS Didi Gregorius, INF Luis Sardinas
After falling short in the 2023 Serie del Rey, the Algodoneros de Union Laguna seek redemption in 2024. Jonathan Schoop, an 11-year MLB veteran, hit 174 career home runs and is a one-time MLB All-Star. The club’s last Serie del Rey championship was in 1950.
Charros de Jalisco (2023 Record: NA – Did Not Play During 2023 Season)
Notable Additions: 3B Vimael Machin, RHP Jonathan Aro
Notable Losses: NA
The Charros de Jalisco did not compete in the LMB during the 2023 season but went 35-33 during the 2023-24 Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico winter season. Vimael Machin, who played three seasons with the Oakland Athletics from 2020-22, will play third base. The Charros de Jalisco’s only LMB championship was in 1971.
Dorados de Chihuahua (Expansion Team – 2023 Record: NA)
Notable Additions: INF Ichiro Cano, RHP Ruddy Acosta
Notable Losses: NA
The Dorados de Chihuahua returned to the LMB for the first time since 2010, when they were sold and became the Rieleros de Aguascalientes. This season marks their fourth stint in the league. Dorados will play their home games at Estadio Chihuahua in Chihuahua City, Chihuahua.
Generales de Durango (2023 Record: 43-43, Missed Postseason)
Notable Additions: RHP Neftali Feliz, RHP J.D. Hammer
Notable Losses: RHP Diego Moreno, SS Luis Cruz
The Generales de Durango finished 1.5 games back of Monclova for the sixth and final postseason spot in 2023. Relief pitcher Neftali Feliz will likely be the Generales’ closer. Feliz recorded 107 saves in 362 games during his 10-year MLB career.
Rieleros de Aguascalientes (2023 Record: 33-55, Missed Postseason)
Notable Additions: C Justin O’Conner
Notable Losses: OF Oswaldo Arcia, LHP Zach Phillips
The Rieleros de Aguascalientes finished last in Zona Norte during the 2023 season. During the offseason, the club added catcher Justin O’Conner, whom the Tampa Bay Rays drafted in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. Aguascalientes had a -101 run differential in 2023.
Saraperos de Saltillo (2023 Record: 49-40, Lost to Toros de Tijuana in First Round)
Notable Additions: RHP Alex Colome, C Willians Astudillo
Notable Losses: SS Edwin Diaz
During winter, the Saraperos de Saltillo signed former MLB players Alex Colome and Willians Astudillo. After winning game one of their first-round series against Tijuana, the club dropped the next four games to eliminate them from the 2023 postseason. Their last Serie del Rey title was in 2010.
Sultanes de Monterrey (2023 Record: 50-38, Lost to Tecolotes de Los Dos Laredos in Zone Series)
Notable Additions: LHP Stephen Tarpley, OF Nomar Mazara
Notable Losses: OF Yadiel Hernandez
The Sultanes de Monterrey played two exhibition games from April 2-3 against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The first game ended in a 1-1 tie, and Monterrey won the second 6-4. It was a good test for the club, looking to advance further than the Zone Series this year.
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos (2023 Record: 50-36, Lost to Algodoneros de Unión Laguna in Zona Norte Championship Series)
Notable Additions: SS Freddy Galvis, OF Yonathan Daza
Notable Losses: RHP Brandon Brennan, C Tomas Telis
The additions of Galvis and Daza could prove substantial for Laredos. Both players put the ball in play and can help the team generate runs outside the long ball. The Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos’ most recent Serie del Rey championship was in 1989.
Toros de Tijuana (2023 Record: 50-40, Lost to Algodoneros de Unión Laguna in Zone Series)
Notable Additions: 1B Bobby Bradley, C Wilson Ramos, 1B Matt Adams
Notable Losses: 1B J.C. Escarra, RHP Neftali Feliz
In the 2023 postseason, Tijuana was defeated by the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna, the eventual champions of Zona Norte. Former MLB players Bobby Bradley, Wilson Ramos, and Matt Adams, who all hit for power, should boost the offense.
How to Watch: Liga Mexicana de Beisbol fans can watch the 2024 regular season using Jonron. TV.