Grant Gavin and Norge Ruiz Return to the Leones del Escogido for the 2025-26 Season
Santo Domingo – The Leones del Escogido will once again have pitcher Grant Gavin and Cuban Norge Ruiz for the 2025-26 season, according to Carlos Peña, general manager of the team. Gavin, who was key in the 2024-25 Finals Series, returns after an outstanding performance. Gavin, 30 years old, had an impressive performance in the final against the Tigres del Licey, with a record of 1-0, an ERA of 1.00 and a WHIP of 0.89 in 9.0 innings, including 2 strikeouts and a batting average allowed of .161.During the summer, Gavin participated in the Mexican Baseball League with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna, where he had a record of 4-3, an ERA of 4.11 and 64 strikeouts in 70.0 innings, with a WHIP of 1.27. This will be the first time that Gavin will start in the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League, as in the last two seasons he did so in the Mexican Pacific League. In the minor leagues with the Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds, Gavin accumulated a combined record of 25-17, an ERA of 3.42, a WHIP of 1.26 and 444 strikeouts in 387.0 innings. Ruiz, 31 years old, played with Escogido in the Round Robin last season, where he had an ERA of 4.35 and 8 strikeouts in 10.1 innings. This will be his fourth season in the Dominican circuit, after having played with the Águilas Cibaeñas (2016-17) and the Estrellas Orientales (2020-21). In his season with the Eagles, Ruiz had a 2-1 record, a 3.77 ERA, and 11 strikeouts in 14.1 innings. In the United States, Ruiz belonged to the Oakland Athletics between 2017 and 2023. In 2022, he pitched in the Major Leagues, standing out with 18 strikeouts in 19.0 innings.“His versatility and ability to perform in pressure games make him a strategic pitcher for us. He’s a proven arm in the big moments,” Peña indicated.
Carlos Peña
The Leones will begin the defense of their title as visitors at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal stadium on Wednesday, October 15, facing the Tigres del Licey.“Norge is a pitcher with a lot of experience, including his time in the Major Leagues. His performance in the last Round Robin confirms that he is a player with an immediate impact on our team”, explained Peña.
Carlos Peña
