Dominican Republic’s manager Albert Pujols looks on before a Caribbean Series baseball game against … [+]
The 2025 Caribbean Series baseball tournament (Serie Del Caribe) is underway in Mexicali, Mexico, bringing together the top teams from Latin America’s winter leagues in a battle for regional supremacy. This year’s tournament carries added intrigue with the presence of Albert Pujols, not as a feared slugger, but as the manager of the Leones del Escogido. The Dominican powerhouse punched its ticket to the international tournament by winning the championship game of the Dominican professional baseball winter league, Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana, commonly known as LIDOM. For Pujols, a surefire Hall of Famer, this week-long tournament presents an opportunity to further cement his baseball legacy—not with a bat in his hands, but by guiding a team from the dugout.
What is the Carribean Series?
The Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) is an annual baseball tournament that crowns the champion of Latin American professional winter leagues, serving as the pinnacle of winter ball competition. First held in 1949, the series features teams from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Mexico, with Cuba, Panama, and Colombia also participating in recent years. The tournament takes place immediately after these leagues conclude their seasons, providing an opportunity for top talent—ranging from rising prospects to veteran stars—to compete on a grand stage. Over the years, the Caribbean Series has developed into a premier showcase of Latin American baseball culture, featuring passionate fan bases, electrifying atmospheres, and a level of competition that often rivals international tournaments like the World Baseball Classic. Many top baseball prospects use the winter leagues and the Caribbean Series as a proving ground, refining their skills before making an impact at the highest level.
Tournament Format
The 2025 Caribbean Series will follow a single-game round-robin format, featuring five participating teams. After the initial round-robin stage, the top four teams will advance to the knockout round. The No. 1 seed will face the No. 4 seed, while the No. 2 seed battles the No. 3 seed in the semifinals. The winners will compete for the championship, while the losing teams will play in a third-place consolation game.
MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 7: Angel Padron (C) starting pitcher of Tiburones de La Guaira of … [+]
Who Is Represented At The 2025 Caribbean Series?
This 2025 Caribbean Series features the champions of LIDOM from the Dominican Republic, the Mexican Pacific League known as LMP (Liga Mexicana del Pacífico), the Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League known as LBPRC (Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente), and the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League known as LVBP (Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional). In a unique twist, this year’s tournament also features a special invited team from Japan, adding an intriguing international element to the competition.
Leones del Escogido
The LIDOM champions will represent the Dominican Republic under the leadership of manager and former player, Albert Pujols. Pujols was named manager of the Leones in February 2024. In his first year as manager, he led the team to its first LIDOM championship since 2016. The storied club has won four previous Caribbean Series championships (1988, 1990, 2010, 2012) and is chasing a fifth title in 2025. The Leones enter the tournament with a stacked roster, featuring former MLB players such as Robinson Canó, Sócrates Brito, Johnny Cueto, Alex Colomé, Fernando Abad, and Francisco Mejía. With Pujols at the helm, Escogido not only boasts experience but also a Hall of Fame-caliber baseball mind guiding them through the tournament.
Charros de Jalisco
The Charros are seeking their first-ever Caribbean Series title after claiming the LMP championship this winter. Based in Guadalajara, Mexico, the team’s roster includes former MLB players Billy Hamilton, Manny Bañuelos, Stephen Nogosek, and Jack Mayfield, adding valuable experience to their championship run. Mexico has traditionally been a strong contender in the Caribbean Series, and with Jalisco representing them, they aim to break through and secure Mexico’s first title since 2016.
ZAPOPAN, MEXICO – NOVEMBER 14: Fernando Valenzuela former pitcher of Los Angeles Dodgers is honored … [+]
Indios de Mayaguez
Representing Puerto Rico, the Indios enter the Caribbean Series as two-time champions (1978, 1992) and are eager to end a 33-year title drought. The team brings a roster featuring current and former MLB players such as Emmanuel Rivera, Eddie Rosario, Isán Díaz, Dereck Rodríguez, and Henry Ramos. With a mix of experienced veterans and young talent, the Indios look to make a deep run in the tournament and reclaim Caribbean baseball glory for Puerto Rico. The island last won the tournament in 2018.
Cardenales de Lara
The Cardenales de Lara captured the LVBP championship this winter, earning their spot in the Caribbean Series. Despite their storied success in Venezuela, they have yet to win a Caribbean Series title, making this year’s tournament an opportunity to rewrite history. The Cardenales feature a formidable lineup, headlined by Ildemaro Vargas, Edwin Escobar, Alexi Amarista, Ali Sánchez, and Hernán Pérez, all of whom have MLB experience. They look to help Venezuela repeat as Series champions following last year’s victory by Tiburones de la Guaira.
Japan Breeze
The Japan Breeze stand out as the only non-Latin American club in this year’s Caribbean Series, adding a unique international flavor to the tournament. The team is managed by former MLB outfielder and Venezuelan native, Alex Ramírez. The Breeze also feature former MLB infielder Munenori Kawasaki.
TORONTO, CANADA – AUGUST 5: Munenori Kawasaki #66 of the Toronto Blue Jays gets the force out at … [+]
What The Caribbean Series Could Mean For Pujols
While the Caribbean Series serves as the pinnacle of Latin American winter league baseball, it also presents Albert Pujols with a unique opportunity to prove himself as an effective manager at the highest levels of talent. His leadership of Leones del Escogido is more than just a one-off challenge—it could be the first step toward a future managerial role in Major League Baseball. Many former MLB players have used LIDOM as a springboard for their coaching careers, including Tony Peña, who led the Águilas Cibaeñas to multiple LIDOM titles and a Caribbean Series title in 2001 before becoming the manager of the Kansas City Royals in 2002 and later the New York Yankees, and Luis Rojas, who managed the Leones del Escogido before taking the helm of the New York Mets in 2020.
How To Watch The 2025 Caribbean Series
The Caribbean Series games will be broadcast in both English and Spanish this week. The English broadcast will be featured on MLB Network, while the Spanish broadcast will be carried on ESPN+.
