Once the Major League Baseball season ends in October, the winter leagues act as the in-between professional competition for baseball fans around the world. Here is why baseball fans should watch the winter leagues.
The winter leagues offer a unique look at promising prospects who could eventually make their way to the MLB. That is true this season, as there are plenty of big prospects in the Caribbean. This includes players like Jordan Lawlar, the number one prospect in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system.
"Back, back, back … wayyyy back!"
MLB's No. 9 prospect Jordan Lawlar (@Dbacks) lofts his third homer in 20 @LIDOMRD games: pic.twitter.com/fNJF6i60XJ
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) November 18, 2024
Another big prospect in LIDOM is Deyvison De Los Santos, who is playing for Gigantes del Cibao. He is one of the top five prospects for the Miami Marlins.
Últimos 3 juegos para Deyvison De Los Santos 👀
➡️ 12 AB, 7 H, 2B, 3B, RBI, .583 AVG#gigantes #LIDOM pic.twitter.com/2o8jiJ84nY
— ELFANATICORD (@ELFANATICORD1) November 6, 2024
So for fans of these MLB teams with prospects involved in the winter leagues, it is a good way to get a look at the future of the players that look to be the faces of your team. De Los Santos and Lawlar are examples of this.
The leagues are not limited to just displaying what MLB prospects can do; many current MLB players have been great in winter leagues as well.
During this current season in LIDOM, New York Mets centerfielder Jose Siri had a crazy viral highlight of stealing home plate and outrunning all of the infielders to score a run.
Jose Siri with one of the craziest steals you'll ever see in a LIDOM game 😳 pic.twitter.com/TiA0NPc2tt
— MLB (@MLB) December 15, 2024
Many MLB legends who baseball fans love have also taken a crack at managing teams this season. Former St. Louis Cardinals teammates Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina managed Leones del Escogido and Águilas Cibaeñas, respectively.
Que honor capturar la historia en nuestro béisbol cuando Albert Pujols y Yadier Molina tuvieron su primer enfrentamiento como dirigentes en LIDOM.
¡Dos leyendas del béisbol, futuros HOF en el terreno de nuestra pelota!#Lidom #Escogido #BeisbolDominicano #BaseballPhoto pic.twitter.com/osZ7res9gk
— Joan Nuñez (@JoanNunez05) November 6, 2024
Pujols also played briefly in LIDOM during the 2021-22 season. Yadier Molina played in the Serie del Caribe during the 2020-21 cycle of winter ball.
For people who love watching the annual Serie del Caribe, watching the winter leagues is also something that can be valuable.
The event involves the winners of winter leagues in the Caribbean area, including LIDOM, LVBP, LAMP, and PROBEIS.
⚾️ @TigresdelLicey 🇩🇴
vs @federalesdechi 🇵🇦 ⚾️First game of 2024 is a @BaseballBucket list item of mine. I've always wanted to attend the Carribean Series and I made it! Such an exciting crowd! #Miami2024🌴 pic.twitter.com/kOJSHNlR98
— Zach Beeson 🇺🇲 (@zachbeeson22) February 8, 2024
The winter leagues are connected to the big brand of Major League Baseball in many ways. It also plays into big events that everyone loves.
