A former LIDOM MVP is making an immediate impact after returning to the Tigres del Licey this past weekend.
Ronny Mauricio, the LIDOM MVP in the winter of 2022-23, has two home runs and four RBIs in two games in LIDOM this winter. Mauricio hit a two-run walk-off home run against Leones del Escogido pitcher Ivan Armstrong in the 10th on Dec. 7 in their 6-5 win.
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Mauricio, 24, is still fighting to establish himself as a full-time player with the New York Mets, and he had six home runs, 10 RBIs, four stolen bases, and an OPS of .663 in 168 at-bats over parts of the 2023 and 2025 seasons. Mauricio missed the 2024 season with an ACL injury he suffered playing for the Tigres.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza talked about getting Mauricio at-bats this season in a crowded infield at the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 8.
“He needs to control the things he can control, and I’m happy to see him playing well in winter ball,” Mendoza told the media at the Winter Meetings. “Mauricio has the opportunity. It’s there for him to earn playing time because of his versatility, and the most important thing for him is to be healthy.”
Mauricio’s teammate, left-handed pitcher Anderson Severino, signed a minor league deal with the Mets on Nov. 17, according to Periodista Deportivo reporter Mike Rodriguez. Severino, 31, has impressed this winter with 14 2/3 innings, 17 strikeouts, and an ERA of 1.23. He made his Major League Baseball debut with the White Sox on April 14, 2022. He pitched 7 1/3 innings with nine strikeouts and an ERA of 6.14. Now, there’s a chance they can also play together in spring training at Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Tigres del Licey manager Gilbert Gomez was also promoted from to the Mets’ MLB staff as first base and outfield coach after managing their High-A club in Brooklyn for the last two seasons. He replaced Antoan Richardson, who had taken the same position with the Atlanta Braves.
“I’m excited about Gilbert Gomez. This is a guy who’s very respected within the game. He has a lot of knowledge, good people skills, and he earned it.” Mendoza said about his hire as their first base coach. “Gilbert earned the opportunity to be in the big leagues, and as far as our base running goes, I feel good about the group of people that are going to be able to impact our players.”
Estrellas Orientales Pitcher Esmil Rogers Records 300th strikeout in LIDOM – Esmil Rogers got his 300th strikeout in LIDOM with the Estrellas Orientales on Dec. 7 against the Gigantes del Cibao in an 8-7 loss. Rogers, 40, pitched four innings with two strikeouts and three runs allowed. He pitched seven MLB seasons from 2009-15 and made his debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2009. He made his last MLB appearance with the New York Yankees in 2015.
Rogers has pitched in LIDOM since 2008, when he made his debut with the Tigres del Licey. This season has struggled with an ERA of 6.77 in 29 1/3 innings. He also pitched in the Chinese Professional Baseball League with the CTBC Brothers from 2020-2021.
Aguilas Cibaeñas pitcher Drew Parrish shutouts the Toros del Este – Aguilas Cibaeñas pitcher Drew Parrish tossed five scoreless innings against the Toros del Este, and he set the tone in a 2-0 win on Dec. 7 against the Toros del Este. Parrish is putting together a solid winter with 17 innings pitched, 12 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.18. RBIs. Parrish, 28, was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the eighth round of the MLB Draft in 2019.
This is his first winter playing in LIDOM, and he has helped the Aguilas Cibaeñas stay at the top of the LIDOM standings.
Photo: Ronny Mauricio has only played two games with the Tigres del Licey, but has already made his presence felt. (Photo courtesy of LIDOM)
