Matt Dermody, who pitched for the Boston Red Sox in 2023, leads the LIDOM in strikeouts. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
By Julian Guilarte
World Baseball Network
The Tigres del Licey beat the Gigantes del Cibao 4-1 on November 30, cutting the Gigantes lead to a half-game at the top of the LIDOM standings, since the second-place Estrellas Orientales had the night off. The Leones del Escogido beat the Águilas Cibaeñas 7-2 in the other game to close out November baseball in LIDOM. The Toros del Este were also off on November 30.
The Tigres del Licey was led by starting pitcher Steve Moyers, who threw six scoreless innings against Gigantes del Cibao. Moyers struck out five batters and gave up three hits. Moyers made his LIDOM debut with Tigres del Licey in the 2021-2022 season. This winter, Moyers has pitched 25 innings with 17 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.49. His ERA is the second-lowest in LIDOM. Moyers, 30, signed a Minor League contract with the Mariners in 2016. The lefty has an ERA of 4.31 in six minor league seasons, and has not appeared in Major League Baseball.
Ozuna Spotted At Estadio Julian Javier – Gigantes del Cibao’s X page had a photo of Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna in the dugout on November 30.
Ozuna hit 40 home runs for the Atlanta Braves last season with an OPS of .905. Ozuna, 33, has 236 MLB home runs in 11 seasons, and is a two-time All-Star with two Silver Slugger awards and a Gold Glove on his resume. He made his debut with the Miami Marlins in 2013 and also spent two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. Ozuna has played five winters in LIDOM for Gigantes del Cibao, most recently during the previous season. His career numbers for Gigantes del Cibao include 17 home runs, 64 RBI, and an OPS of .714.
Notable Performances and Leaders – Leones del Escogido outfielder Hector Rodriguez hit a solo home run against Aguilas Cibaenas starting pitcher Alfredo Simon on November 30. Hector Rodriguez, 19, is a lefty who was signed by the Mets as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2021 and was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2022. Rodriguez made it to the Reds High-A affiliate, the Dayton Dragons, last season. His career numbers in the Minor Leagues from 2021-2023 are 22 home runs, 102 RBI, 40 stolen bases, and an OPS of .838.
Aguilas Cibaenas starting pitcher Alfredo Simon pitched 5.2 innings, allowing four runs against the Leones del Escogido. Simon, 42, is a Dominican right-handed pitcher who pitched in MLB for nine seasons. Simon appeared in one All-Star Game and pitched from 2008-16 in MLB. He made his debut for the Baltimore Orioles and last appeared for the Cincinnati Reds. He pitched 775 MLB innings with 529 strikeouts and an ERA of 4.56. He’s now pitched 10 seasons in LIDOM, and this is his first season with Aguilas Cibaenas. He’s pitched 14.2 innings, with seven strikeouts, and an ERA of 4.30.
Estrellas Orientales utilityman Vidal Brujan leads LIDOM with 17 stolen bases. Brujan, 25, was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Miami Marlins on November 17, 2023. Brujan has gotten 249 MLB at-bats with the Rays over the last two seasons, stealing nine bases and hitting three home runs. His minor league career numbers from 2015-23 include 47 home runs, 250 RBI, 240 stolen bases, and an OPS of .799. This is Brujan’s fifth winter in LIDOM after four winters with the Toros del Este. This winter, Brujan has 14 RBI and an OPS of .753.
Toros del Este starting pitcher Matt Dermody is fourth in LIDOM with 26 strikeouts. His teammate Pablo Espino leads LIDOM with 32 strikeouts. Dermody, 33, is a left-handed pitcher who made one start for the Boston Red Sox this season. He’s pitched 31 innings in MLB, also pitching for the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays. He made his MLB debut in 2016 and has 23 MLB strikeouts with an ERA of 5.73. This is his second winter in LIDOM, having previously pitched for Gigantes del Cibao. This winter, he has pitched 24 innings for Toros del Este with an ERA of 2.22.
All-Star Game Vs. LBPRC Set – The Asociación de Peloteros Profesionales de Puerto Rico announced on November 28 via an Instagram post that LIDOM will play against the Liga Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente in an Interleague All-Star Game on December 3 at Cibao Stadium in Santiago, Dominican Republic.
LIDOM Standings
1. Gigantes del Cibao – 19-13
2. Estrellas Orientales – 19-14
3. Tigres del Licey – 16-16
4. Escogido del Leonés – 16-17
5. Toros del Este – 15-17
6. Aguilas Cibaeñas – 11-19