2025 Caribbean Series

The 2025 Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was the fifty-fifrth edition of the second stage of the Caribbean Series. It was played in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico from January 31-February 7, 2025, at Estadio Nido de las Aguilas. The field of teams continued to fluctuate, with the smallest field in seven years. Nicaragua was removed after only one year in the Series, Curaçao was removed after two and 2019 champion Panama also did not return. That left the traditional foursome of the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, plus a fifth team from non-Caribbean Japan, composed of players from the Japanese independent and semipro leagues, though some had pro experience. The Leones del Escogido of the Dominican League won the series and were managed by Albert Pujols. The Most Valuable Player was Esmil Rogers, a pitcher for Escogido.

Final Standings

Team	League	G	W	L	WPCT	Manager
Tiburones de La Guaira	Venezuelan League	8	7	1	.875	Ozzie Guillén
Tigres del Licey‎	Dominican League	8	4	4	.500	Gilberto Gomez
Federales de Chiriquí	Panamanian League	8	6	2	.750	José Mayorga
Curaçao Suns	Curaçao League	8	3	5	.375	Hainley Statia
Criollos de Caguas	Puerto Rican League	6	3	3	.500	Yadier Molina
Naranjeros de Hermosillo	Mexican Pacific League	6	2	4	.333	Juan Castro
Gigantes de Rivas	Nicaraguan League	6	0	6	.000	Marvin Benard

Teams

• The Leones del Escogido won their 17th Dominican League title and had won four Caribbean Series, the last one being 2012.

• The Indios de Mayagüez had taken their 20th Puerto Rican League crown and had won two Caribbean Series, most recently in 1992.

• The Japan Breeze were a guest team making their country's debut in the event.

• The Charros de Jalisco won their third Mexican Pacific League title. They had never own a Series, having last appeared in 2022.

• The Cardenales de Lara won their 7th Venezuelan League championship and had never won a Series; their last appearance had been in 2020.

All-Star Team

• C: Francisco Mejía, Escogido
• 1B: Yamaico Navarro, Escogido
• 2B: Michael Wielansky, Jalisco
• SS: Jack Mayfield, Jalisco
• 3B: Kelvin Gutiérrez, Escogido
• LF: Rudy Martin Jr., Jalisco
• CF: Billy Hamilton, Jalisco
• RF: Alexi Amarista, Lara
• DH: Danry Vásquez, Lara
• SP: Jesús Vargas, Lara
• RP: Trevor Clifton, Jalisco
• Manager: Benji Gil, Jalisco

Games

January 31

Game 1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Lara	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Escogido	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	x	2	7	1
Win: Alex Colomé (1-0) Loss: Alex Scherff (0-1) Save: Fernando Abad (1)

The Series began with a fine pitching duel. Escogido's Brooks Hall allowed three hits in five shutout innings while Lara's Max Castillo went six without allowing a run, also yielding three hits. Ulises Joaquin replaced Hall in the 6th and walked 2B Ildemaro Vargas. Gorkys Hernández had a hit and an error by Junior Lake put runners on second and third with no outs. Joaquin escaped the jam by retiring RF Alexi Amarista, 1B Rangel Ravelo and LF José Rondón, the 3-4-5 hitters.

Alex Colomé pitched a scoreless 7th for the Dominicans. In the bottom of the inning, Alex Scherff succeeded Castillo. He got 2B Robinson Canó but 1B Yamaico Navarro singled. DH José Marmolejos hit into a force and C Francisco Mejía tripled in the game's first run; he came home on a wild pitch. Joe Corbett struck out all three Venezuelan batters in the 8th and Fernando Abad went 1-2-3 in the 9th to close it up.

Game 2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Mayagüez	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	4	0
Jalisco	1	0	0	2	1	0	0	4	x	8	9	1
Win: David Reyes (1-0) Loss: Ronnie Williams (0-1)

The other opening game was a romp by Mexico. 1B Reynaldo Rodríguez had three hits and CF Billy Hamilton produced three runs to pace their offense. The pitching came from David Reyes, Adrian Gusman and David Gutiérrez, who teamed up on a four-hitter. Puerto Rico's only run came when C Onix Vega drove home SS Isan Díaz.

February 1

Game 3

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Escogido	0	0	4	3	1	1	0	0	3	9	12	3
Japan	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	1
Win: Johnny Cueto (1-0) Loss: Shuto Sakurai (0-1)

The debut of Japan's indy and semipro players proves no match for the Dominicans. Johnny Cueto, Gabriel Ynoa, Cesilio Pimentel and Henry Sosa hold the Asian team to one run. Ten different Dominicans score, with 1B Yamaico Navarro reaching all four times and producing three runs. LF Jin Yamamoto scores the only Japanese run, courtesy of two Dominican errors.

Game 4

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Jalisco	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	2	4	0
Lara	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	8	2
Win: Stephen Nogosek (1-0) Loss: Arnaldo Hernández (0-1) Save: Trevor Clifton (1)

Mexico's Manny Bañuelos and Venezuela's Jimmy Endersby traded goose eggs for the first three and a half innings. In the bottom of the fourth, Lara got to Bañuelos on a two-out single by 1B Rangel Rivero, a wild pitch and a RBI single by LF José Rondón. It didn't take Mexico long to tie it back up. In the top of the 5th, LF Rudy Martin singled, stole two bases and came in on a fly by RF Donovan Casey. Jesús Cruz, Stephen Nogosek and Trevor Clifton shut out Venezuela over the final three innings. After scoreless relief work from Lara's Anthony Vizcaya, Alex Scherff and Brian McKenna, the team turned to Arnaldo Hernández in the 9th. 2B Michael Wielansky had a one-out double, only Mexico's fourth hit. Hernández's defense then cost him the game as 2B Ildemaro Vargas erred on a grounder by 3B Mateo Gil and Rivera made a miscue on a ground ball from DH Julian Ornelas.

February 2

Game 5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Japan	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	10	0
Mayagüez	0	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	x	3	4	1
Win: Luis Cruz (1-0) Loss: Isaki Ninomiya (0-1) Save: Justin Yeager (1)

Japan's second game was much more competitive than their first, as they outhit Puerto Rico and lost by a run rather than being blown out again. In the third, they took the lead on three straight singles off Luis Leroy Cruz. CF Takeru Ohashi, C Kan Nakayauchi and 2B Yuta Hamada provided the hits. Meanwhile, Isaki Ninomiya blanked Puerto Rico over the first four. In the 5th, they got to him. 1B David MacKinnon singled, CF Eddie Rosario walked and 3B Edwin Diaz bunted them over. C Mauricio Feliciano hit into a run-scoring fielder's choice and 2B Shed Long Jr. hit a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1.

In the 7th, Feliciano led off with a single off Yuki Sato and Long bunted him to second. RF Henry Ramos and SS Isan Díaz drew back-to-back walks to load the bags. DH Anthony García's sacrifice fly put Puerto Rico ahead 3-1, none of their runs coming on hits. Japan closed the gap the next inning. DH Takuhishi Satoh tripled off José De León with one out; with two away, PH Munenori Kawasaki singled him in. Japan loaded the bases but De León whiffed Ohashi in the clutch. Japan put the tying run (Hamada) on third base in the 9th but Yeager struck out Satoh to get the save.

Game 6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Escogido	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Jalisco	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	x	2	5	2
Win: Ronald Medrano (1-0) Loss: Esmil Rogers (0-1) Save: Trevor Clifton (2)

The two unbeaten teams (responsible for all the wins in days 1 and 2) faced off and Mexico had the Dominican entry's number today. Ronald Medrano, Alemao Hernandez, Jesús Cruz, Stephen Nogosek and Trevor Clifton allow only three hits and one walk in a whitewash. They got all the support they needed three batters into the bottom of the first; RF Rudy Martin had a one-out triple off Esmil Rogers and 2B Michael Wielansky singled him in. Their other run came in the 7th when Wielansky singled, stole second and LF Julian Ornelas doubled him in two outs later.

February 3

Game 7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Lara	0	0	1	2	1	1	2	2	1	10	14	0
Mayagüez	0	2	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	7	2
Win: Anthony Vizcaya (1-0) Loss: Ricardo Velez (0-1)

Puerto Rico jumped to a 5-1 lead after three but Venezuela scored in every inning from the third through the end of the game for a 10-5 victory. 1B Rangel Ravelo had 3 hits, 2 runs and 2 RBI and 2B Ildemaro Vargas also had three hits. None of Venezuela's seven relievers today allowed a run as Robinson Hernandez, Edwin Escobar, Anthony Vizcaya, Alex Scherff, Brian McKenna, Liarvis Breto and Arnaldo Hernández made up for a rocky start. LF Danny Ortiz had a 3-run homer in the third and two runs as a bright spot for the Indios.

Game 8

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Jalisco	1	0	0	1	5	0	0	0	0	7	11	1
Japan	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	2	9	1
Win: Luis Iván Rodríguez (1-0) Loss: Rintaro Hirama (0-1)

The unbeaten team squared off with the winless one and the outcome was as anticipated. Rintaro Hirama had a 7.58 ERA in his one season in the Mexican League and again Mexican team batters showed no trouble with him. LF Rudy Martin had 3 hits and 2 runs while 3B Jack Mayfield produced three runs. Luis Iván Rodríguez allowed one run in five and five relievers wrapped it up. SS Kan Nakayauchi and RF Ren Tachioka each had two hits and produced one run for Japan.

February 4

Game 9

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Mayagüez	1	2	0	0	1	0	0	5	1	10	11	1
Escogido	5	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	13	0
Win: Carlos Francisco (1-0) Loss: Joe Corbett (0-1) Save: Justin Yeager (2)

A day after blowing an early 5-1 lead, Puerto Rico reverses fate by rallying from an early 5-1 deficit to win. They were still down 7-4 entering the 8th but Eddie Rosario hit a three-run single off Joe Corbett to tie it and then scored on a Jimmy Cordero wild pitch. SS Isan Díaz has three hits and three runs while Héctor Santiago, Carlos Francisco, José De León and Justin Yeager combine for 6 1/3 shutout innings out of the bullpen. RF Socrates Brito and 3B Kelvin Gutiérrez each rap three hits in a losing cause, while LF Junior Lake hits a three-run homer.

Game 10

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Japan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
Lara	5	1	1	0	0	0	0	3	x	10	12	0
Win: Jesús Vargas (1-0) Loss: Kenta Hitomi (0-1)

Jesús Vargas threw the third no-hitter in Series annals (following Tommy Fine in 1952 and Ángel Padrón last year), as the hapless Japanese guest finishes 0-4 and shows that the Japanese indy leagues are not close to the level of play of the Caribbean winter leagues. Vargas walks three and fans seven in his masterpiece. RF Alexi Amarista doubles, homers, walks twice and scores three times to lead the romp at the plate.

February 5

Game 11

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	R	H	E
Escogido	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	5	9	0
Lara	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	1	0	4	10	0
Win: Ulises Joaquin (1-0) Loss: Alex Scherff (0-2) Save: Jimmy Cordero (1)

The first semifinal is an exciting contest, going 11 innings. CF Sócrates Brito got the Dominicans on the board quickly; with one out in the first, he got the first of his four hits today then stole his fourth base of the Series. Max Castillo, in a rematch with Brooks Hall from their earlier fine pitching duel, got a second out but 2B Robinson Canó doubled to give Castillo his first run allowed this Series. SS Gustavo Núñez opened the third with one of his three hits this game. He stole second but was out at third on a grounder by LF Junior Lake. Brito singled Lake to third. 3B Kelvin Gutiérrez grounded into a run-scoring fielder's choice for a 2-0 lead.

Hall, meanwhile, was again dominant, allowing three hits and one walk in six shutout innings. Alex Colomé replaced him in the 7th and walked LF José Rondón and yielded a hit to DH Danry Vasquez. 3B Hernán Pérez bunted and everyone was safe to cut it to 2-1. That was it for Colomé; Albert Pujols gave him the hook and called for Diogenes Almengo. Almengo escaped further harm by getting a double play grounder and a strikeout. Núñez doubled off Silvino Bracho in the 8th, moved over on a Lake bunt and scored on a sac fly by Brito.

Venezuela came back in the 8th against Fernando Abad. 2B Ildemaro Vargas, CF Gorkys Hernández, RF Alexi Amarista and 1B Rangel Ravelo all singled to make it 3-2. There was then an unusual double play sacrifice fly; Rondón's fly scored Hernández but Amarista was out trying for third on the play. In the bottom of the 9th, they almost won it. C Ali Sánchez doubled with one out off Ulises Joaquin and SS Eduardo Garcia walked. Vargas grounded the potential winning run to third but Joaquin got Hernández on a grounder to send it to extras.

To open the 10th, Luis Liberato (now playing CF; Brito moved to RF) bunted over starting runner Francisco Mejía. 2B Cristhian Adames hit a sacrifice fly and the Leones retook the lead, 4-3. It didn't last an inning as Ravelo's third hit drove in starting runner Hernández to tie it back up. In the 11th, Brito remained red-hot with a double off Alex Scherff to plate Lake. Two intentional walks that frame loaded the bases but Scherff struck out Liberato to keep it a one-run game. Jimmy Cordero replaced Joaquin in the bottom of the frame and Pérez bunted to put men on the corners; the veteran stole second to put the potential winning run in scoring position with no outs. Cordero got backup C Francisco Arcia on a liner and struck out Garcia. He intentionally walked Vargas to load the bases for Hernández. The move paid off as Hernández lined to short to end the game.

Game 12

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Mayagüez	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	5	1
Jalisco	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	x	3	7	0
Win: David Reyes (2-0) Loss: Ronnie Williams (0-2) Save: Trevor Clifton (3)

The hosts continue to roll, scoring all the runs they need before getting an out. CF Billy Hamilton drew a leadoff walk from Ronnie Williams and pilfered his fifth base this tournament. LF Rudy Martin doubled him in then 2B Michael Wielansky laid down a bunt hit and stole second. 3B Mateo Gil's two-run single gave Mexico all the runs they would get. The Puerto Rican bullpen of Julian Garcia, Ricardo Velez, Jake McSteen and Dereck Rodríguez allow only four hits and no runs over the final seven. Their team's offense never gets going, though. David Reyes threw six shutout innings (with three hits). Jesús Cruz took over in the 7th and got two strikeouts before CF Eddie Rosario tripled and scored on a hit by SS Isan Díaz; at .400, Díaz was a bright spot for the islanders in this Series.

February 6

Game 13

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Mayagüez	0	2	0	4	1	0	0	0	0	7	10	1
Lara	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	3	4	8	0
Win: Ricardo Velez (1-1) Loss: Jimmy Endersby (0-1) Save: Dereck Rodríguez (1)

Puerto Rico got third place with today's win. The leader again was shortstop Isan Díaz; in the second, he took Jimmy Endersby deep after CF Eddie Rosario walked. Two innings later, he socked another long ball to make it 3-0. C Onix Rivera and 2B Jeremy Rivera followed with singles then 3B Emmanuel Rivera doubled in a pair. DH Anthony García delivered a sacrifice fly for a nice 6-0 cushion. Luis Leroy Cruz shut down Venezuela for the first three. In the 4th, he walked LF José Rondón, threw a wild pitch and gave up a RBI single to Danry Vasquez. It could have gotten pretty bad as 1B Hernán Pérez and SS Jeremy Palacios both singled to load the bases. Ricardo Velez relieved and got out of the jam by getting C Yojhan Quevedo to hit into an inning-ending double play. Velez and three other Puerto Rican relievers blanked Lara from the 5th through the 8th.

In the meantime, the Indios got a little insurance in the 5th, this time without a big hit from Díaz. Rosario hit a one-out single off Adrián Almeida, stole and scored on a two-out hit by Vega. In the bottom of the 9th, Venezuela added some excitement. PH Eduardo Garcia drew a one-out walk from Justin Yeager and Pérez also walked. Palacios singled in one run and they pulled off a double steal. With two away, 2B César Izturis Jr. singled in two to cut it to 7-4. Dereck Rodríguez took over for Yeager and retired 3B Jecksson Flores on a ground ball to end the contest.

February 7

Game 14

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Escogido	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4	0
Jalisco	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1
Win: Esmil Rogers (1-1) Loss: Manny Bañuelos (0-1) Save: Jimmy Cordero (2)

The title game was an exciting pitching duel, but did not pan out the way the hosts would've liked - after going 5-0 entering today, they were held to a single hit. The Leones challenged early. LF Junior Lake singled off Manny Bañuelos then RF Sócrates Brito hit into a force. 1B Yamaico Navarro singled Brito to third. Brito tried to score on a grounder by 2B Robinson Canó but was thrown out at home. 40% of the game's hits had already taken place.

Esmil Rogers loaded the bases with walks in the second but got C Alfredo Hurtado to escape the jam. In the third, Lake, Brito and Navarro all drew walks and Canó hit into a run-scoring double play, producing the game's only tally. 1B Reynaldo Rodríguez singled in the 4th but that would be the only hit his team got in six innings of Rogers and one apiece from Joe Corbett, Ulises Joaquin and Jimmy Cordero (none of whom even issued a walk).

Further Reading

• Carlos Molina: "Puerto Rico tops Venezuela to secure third place at Caribbean Series", mlb.com, February 7, 2025. [1]
• Carlos Molina: "Dominican Republic one-hits Mexico to win Caribbean Series", mlb.com, February 8, 2025. [2]