Tomateros de Culiacan Top Inaugural World Baseball Network Winter Ball Poll

The Tomateros de Culiacan of the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico are the hottest team in winter ball at the moment, with a 21-5 record.

Culiacan topped the inaugural World Baseball Network Winter Ball Poll, having gone 8-2 in their last 10 games and holding a five-game lead in the LAMP over the second-place Caneros de Los Mochis, who were ranked fourth by the voters.

The Leones del Escogido of LIDOM were ranked second in the poll with a 14-4 record. They lead the Dominican Republic’s six-team league by four and a half games over the Tigres del Licey, who were ranked ninth with a record of 9-8.

Venezuela’s Tiburones de La Guaira, the defending Caribbean Series champion, were ranked third, getting 23 points in the poll. Currently 14-10, the Tiburones lead the Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional by half a game over the Bravos de Margarita, who were tied for fifth in the poll.

Also tied for fifth in the poll were the LAMP’s Charros de Jalisco, winners of seven straight games with a 13-13 record. Just behind the Charros and Bravos were last year’s LAMP champions, the Naranjeros de Hermosillo, at 15-11.

The Naranjeros were tied for seventh in the poll with the Gigantes de Carolina of the Liga Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente in Puerto Rico, who are 2-0 to start the season.

Ranked 10th in the poll were the Gigantes del Cibao of LIDOM, who are 7-10 thus far.

The rankings were compiled from votes cast by World Baseball Network writers who follow the four winter leagues that compose the Confederacion de Beisbol Profesional del Caribe. Only those four league’s teams were eligible to receive votes in the poll.

Also receiving votes: Navegantes de Magallanes (LVBP, 3), Criollos de Caguas (LBPRC, 3), Aguilas del Zulia (LVBP, 3), Aguilas de Mexicali (LAMP, 2), Aguilas Cibaenas (LIDOM, 2), Cangrejeros de Santurce (LBPRC, 2).