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Leones del Escogido Reveal Caribbean Series Roster With World Baseball Classic Build-Up Around the Corner

Matt TallariniJan 31, 20267 MIN READ
Junior Lake

The defending Caribbean Series champions, Leones del Escogido, announced their official roster on January 30 for the 2026 Caribbean Series, setting the tone for a tournament that now doubles as a high-intensity runway into the World Baseball Classic window in March 2026.

Escogido is aiming to repeat after edging the 2024-25 Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico champion Charros de Jalisco, 1–0, in the 2025 Caribbean Series final in Mexicali under former manager—and current Dominican Republic WBC skipper—Albert Pujols.

Why It Matters

The Caribbean Series is always a title chase. But in 2026, it’s also one of the last true “pressure-cooker” environments many winter-league veterans will see before national team camps and decisions accelerate ahead of the World Baseball Classic. For Escogido—already wearing the crown—this roster is both a defense of regional supremacy and a statement of readiness as the baseball calendar turns fast.

2026 Caribbean Series Location

The 2026 Caribbean Series will be played from February 1–7 in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico at Estadio Panamericano, home of the Charros de Jalisco.

Participating Teams

The champions (and qualifiers) from the 2025-26 winter seasons represented at the 2026 Caribbean Series include clubs from Puerto Rico’s LBPRC, the Dominican Republic’s LIDOM, Mexico’s LAMP (including both finalists), and Panama.

  • Mexico Red (MEX-R): Charros de Jalisco
  • Mexico Green (MEX-G): Tomateros de Culiacán
  • Panama: Federales de Chiriquí (ProBeis)
  • Puerto Rico: Cangrejeros de Santurce (LBPRC)
  • Dominican Republic: Leones del Escogido (LIDOM)

Opening Day Spotlight

Escogido will open their 2026 Caribbean Series schedule at 8:30 p.m. EST on February 1 against the host club, Charros de Jalisco. Earlier that day, the Tomateros de Culiacán will play the Cangrejeros de Santurce at 2 p.m. EST.

LIDOM Notes & Stats

All stats for the 2025-26 LIDOM season are available at: Lidom.com/estadisticas/.

The Leones del Escogido won the 2025-26 LIDOM best-of-seven championship series on January 27, beating the Toros del Este in five games at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo for the franchise’s 18th title.

Alcides Escobar’s MVP — And Why He’s Not On The Roster

Venezuelan shortstop Alcides Escobar won the 2026 LIDOM championship MVP on January 27 and will not be on the Caribbean Series roster for the Leones del Escogido.

According to Diamante23, Escobar was not listed eligible to be a reinforcement for the Leones del Escogido during the 2026 Caribbean Series due to regulations from the CBPC, with him leaving the LVBP after December 15 in the 2025-26 season.

Escobar spoke with Leones del Escogido Communications Director Melvin Bejarán after the championship on what it meant to join the club during the later slate of the season.

Manager Timeline: The Turn That Changed Escogido’s Season

Ramon Santiago was named the interim manager after Alex Cintron was fired on December 1, with Escogido sitting at 13–18 early in the 2025-26 winter league season (MLB).

Venezuela’s Absence & The Serie de Las Americas Pivot

The Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional (LVBP) will not participate in the 2026 Caribbean Series despite being a member of the Confederación de Béisbol Profesional del Caribe (CBPC).

Instead, the 2025-26 LVBP champion will play in the 2026 Serie de Las Americas in Caracas, Venezuela.

Leones del Escogido: Caribbean Series & LIDOM History

Escogido have won the Caribbean Series in 1988, 1990, 2010, 2012, and 2025, and also appeared in 1981, 1982, 1989, 1992, 2013, and 2016.

The Leones del Escogido have won 18 LIDOM championships in: 1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1959-60, 1960-61, 1968-69, 1980-81, 1981-82, 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90, 1991-92, 2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2015-16, 2024-25, and 2025-26.

Panama & Puerto Rico’s Track Record Heading Into 2026

Cangrejeros de Santurce

The Cangrejeros de Santurce have won the Caribbean Series in 1951, 1953, 1955, 1993, and 2000, and appeared in 1951, 1953, 1955, 1959, 1971, 1973, 1991, 1993, 2000, 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2020.

Federales de Chiriquí

The Federales de Chiriquí have appeared at the Caribbean Series in 2021, 2023, and 2024.

Panama’s ProBeis season was canceled due to economic issues in the country alongside financial issues with their governing sports body.

This will be the second time the Federales de Chiriquí will play in the Caribbean Series since ProBeis was canceled after the 2021 event in Mazatlán due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Panama participated in the Caribbean Series from 1949–60, before returning in 2019 when the Toros de Herrera won the event. Panama competed from 2020 through 2024, earning third place in Miami at loanDepot Park in their most recent appearance.

Historic Context: Mexico & The Caribbean Series

The last time Venezuela did not play in the Caribbean Series was in 1974 during a league players strike. That year, Mexico sent additional representation via the LMP’s top two finishers at Estadio Héctor Espino in Hermosillo.

Mexico has hosted the Caribbean Series in Hermosillo (1974, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2013), Mazatlán (1978, 1989, 1993, 2005, 2021), Culiacán (2001, 2017), Guadalajara (2018), and Mexicali (2009, 2025).

Mexico has won the Caribbean Series nine times: 1976, 1986, 1996, 2002, 2005, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016.

The only teams from Mexico with multiple Caribbean Series titles include the Tomateros de Culiacán, Naranjeros de Hermosillo, Venados de Mazatlán, and Yaquis de Obregón. Aguilas de Mexicali have won once (1986).

Jimmy Cordero

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes on January 30, Dominican right-hander Jimmy Cordero was added to the Leones del Escogido for the Caribbean Series roster and will replace Joe Corbett, and is likely to sign with an MLB organization, prior to pitchers and catchers reporting. 

Leones del Escogido — 2026 Caribbean Series Roster

Starting Pitchers

  • Oscar De La Cruz (Estrellas Orientales)
  • Conner Greene
  • Travis Lakins
  • Radhames Liz (Tigres del Licey)f
  • Enny Romero (Estrellas Orientales)

Relievers

  • Deury Carrasco (Águilas Cibaeñas)
  • Alex Colome
  • Jimmy Cordero
  • Luis Frias (Tigres del Licey)
  • Kenny Hernandez
  • Greg Minier (Toros del Este)
  • Emalin Montilla (Toros del Este)
  • Phillips Valdez
  • Carlos Teller
  • Jefry Yan (Estrellas Orientales)

Catchers

  • Michael De La Cruz (Tigres del Licey)
  • Julio E. Rodriguez (Aguilas Cibaenas)

Infielders

  • Cristhian Adames (Tigres del Licey)
  • Erik Gonzalez
  • Jonathan Guzman
  • Marco Hernandez (Gigantes del Cibao)
  • Gustavo Nunez (Tigres del Licey)
  • Aderlin Rodriguez (Aguilas Cibaenas)

Outfielders

2026 Caribbean Series Schedule

All times Eastern Standard Time
* – If either or both Mexico teams advance to the semifinals, they will play the late game regardless of seeding.
MEX-G – Mexico Green | MEX-R – Mexico Red | PR – Puerto Rico | DR – Dominican Republic | PAN – Panama

Sunday, Feb. 1

  • 2 p.m. – Tomateros de Culiacán (MEX-G) vs. Cangrejeros de Santurce (PR)
  • 8:30 p.m. – Leones del Escogido (DR) vs. Charros de Jalisco (MEX-R)

Monday, Feb. 2

  • 3 p.m. – Cangrejeros de Santurce (PR) vs. Leones del Escogido (DR)
  • 8 p.m. – Charros de Jalisco (MEX-R) vs. Federales de Chiriquí (PAN)

Tuesday, Feb. 3

  • 3 p.m. – Federales de Chiriquí (PAN) vs. Tomateros de Culiacán (MEX-G)
  • 8 p.m. – Charros de Jalisco (MEX-R) vs. Cangrejeros de Santurce (PR)

Wednesday, Feb. 4

  • 3 p.m. – Federales de Chiriquí (PAN) vs. Leones del Escogido (DR)
  • 8 p.m. – Tomateros de Culiacán (MEX-G) vs. Charros de Jalisco (MEX-R)

Thursday, Feb. 5

  • 3 p.m. – Cangrejeros de Santurce (PR) vs. Federales de Chiriquí (PAN)
  • 8 p.m. – Leones del Escogido (DR) vs. Tomateros de Culiacán (MEX-G)

Friday, Feb. 6

  • 3 p.m. – Third Place vs. Second Place – Semifinal 1*
  • 8 p.m. – First Place vs. Fourth Place – Semifinal 2*

Saturday, Feb. 7

  • 8 p.m. – Championship Game
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