Leones del Escogido intensify their preparation with important additions
The Leones del Escogido, current back-to-back champions of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (Lidom), continue to strengthen their roster ahead of the 2026-27 season. This Monday, the team celebrated the arrival of several key pieces to their training sessions, which are being held at the New York Yankees academy facilities in Boca Chica.
Impactful returns for the scarlet cause
Among the players who reported to the capital city team are outfielders Junior Lake and Franchy Cordero, along with infielder Jonathan Guzmán. These three athletes were fundamental in the conquest of the team’s two most recent titles. Their experience comes after a successful stint in the Mexican Baseball League, where they played for the Toros de Tijuana and managed to win the championship.
The arrival of figures with winning experience is vital to maintain the standard of excellence that the Escogido has established in recent years.
High-caliber young talent
The highlight of the day was the integration of catcher Rainiel Rodríguez, ranked as the St. Louis Cardinals’ number one prospect and positioned among the top ten talents in all of Major League Baseball. Rodríguez is coming off an outstanding campaign, where he accumulated a .324 average, 27 home runs, and 87 runs batted in, demonstrating an offensive power that promises to be a great help to the red cause.
Roster depth
The pitching staff also received a significant boost with the presence of Iván Armstrong and Jordarlin Mendoza. Armstrong arrives with a solid performance in Mexican baseball, while Mendoza, selected in the 2026 Draft, seeks to make his impact in the winter circuit. Likewise, young outfielder Stiven Martínez, a Baltimore Orioles prospect who brings versatility and dynamism to the team’s ranks, has joined the squad.
- Iván Armstrong: 2.01 ERA and 43 strikeouts in Mexico.
- Jordarlin Mendoza: Yankees prospect and 2026 Draft selection.
- Stiven Martínez: Young talent with 14 home runs and 14 stolen bases in Class A.
- Robinson Martínez, Alex Martínez and Reid VanScoter: Pitchers who joined over the weekend.
Next preseason challenge
The Lions’ preparation does not stop. The team is scheduled to resume practice this Tuesday at 9:00 in the morning. Subsequently, the scarlet team will travel to Tetelo Vargas Stadium to face the Estrellas Orientales in a preseason game that will begin at 11:00 in the morning, serving as a thermometer to measure the club’s competitive level before the official start of the championship.
