Mexican Pacific League Semifinalists Add Key Reinforcements in Draft Ahead of Playoffs

GUADALAJARA, Jalisco — The four semifinalists of the 2025-2026 Mexican pacific league moved quickly to buttress thier rosters with reinforcement picks as they eye the postseason run.

guasave Algodoneros

Guasave opened the draft by adding Tyler Jandron, a left-handed pitcher from Jaguares de Nayarit. In the playoffs, Jandron appeared in three games and logged seven innings with one hold.

Their second selection brought Braulio Torres-Pérez, a left-handed starter from Naranjeros de Hermosillo. He had one start against the Charros, going six innings, allowing two runs and striking out six, though he did not figure into the decision.

Mexicali Eagles

Mexicali’s top pick was Willie Calhoun, an infielder from Naranjeros who hit.375 in the playoff series, drove in five runs, posted a .944 OPS, and collected 12 total bases.

The club followed with Odrisamer Despaigne, a Cuban pitcher whoworked 11.1 innings against the Cachanillas,surrendering six runs in that series.

Jalisco Charros

The current champions strengthened behind the plate with Santiago Chávez, known as “Chago,” from Yaquis de Obregón. Chávez brings veteran leadership, a strong arm, and game-calling savvy to the catching corps.

The second pick was Matt Foster, who during the regular season emerged as one of the league’s top relievers, recording 14 saves and ranking second in the saves category for the campaign.

Culiacán Tomateros

Following the losses of JP Martínez and Dwight smith,Tomateros tapped Yaquis outfielder Allen Córdoba. The Panamanian hitter slashed .222 in the playoff series against Águilas, driving in two runs.

Additionally, Tomateros selected Jaguares infielder Carlos Sepúlveda, or “Carleque,” who hit .250 and collected two RBIs against Guasave.

Note: Each team may add only one reinforcement to its semifinal roster, with official confirmations due by Saturday night, January 10.

The semifinal round begins Sunday, January 11, with games scheduled at Pan-American Stadium in Zapopan and at Tomateros Stadium.

Team	Frist Pick	Notable Details
Guasave Algodoneros	Tyler Jandron — LHP (Jaguares de Nayarit)	3 playoff apps; 7.0 IP; 1 hold
	Braulio Torres-Pérez — LHP (naranjeros)	6.0 IP vs Charros; 2 runs; 6 strikeouts; no decision
Mexicali Eagles	Willie Calhoun — IF (Naranjeros)	.375 BAA in playoffs; 5 RBIs; OPS .944; 12 TB
	Odrisamer Despaigne — P	11.1 IP vs Cachanillas; 6 runs allowed
Jalisco Charros	Santiago Chávez — C (Yaquis)	Elite defensive catcher; leadership
	Matt foster — P	14 saves; 2nd in league in saves
Culiacán Tomateros	Allen Córdoba — OF (Yaquis)	.222 in playoff vs Águilas; 2 RBIs
	Carlos Sepúlveda — IF (Jaguares)	.250; 2 RBIs vs Guasave

As the clock ticks, clubs will finalize a single postseason reinforcement to sharpen every roster’s edge. Expect strategic rotations and bullpen plans to tilt toward playoff-ready depth.

Readers: which newcomer do you believe will swing the semifinals most, and which team gains the biggest advantage from these additions?

Stay tuned for updates as the quest for the league title intensifies across the region.

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Mexican Pacific League Semifinalist Overview (2025‑26 Season)

Team	Regular‑season record	Semifinal seed	Playoff opponent
Tomateros de Culiacán	46‑18	1st	Venados de Mazatlán
Naranjeros de Hermosillo	44‑20	2nd	Charros de Jalisco
Cañeros de Los mochis	41‑23	3rd	Algodoneros de Guasave
Venados de Mazatlán	39‑25	4th	Tomateros de culiacán

All four clubs entered the December 2025 “LMP Draft de Refuerzos” with roster gaps identified by their scouting departments. The draft, held on 20 December 2025, allowed each semifinalist to secure up to five new players before the playoff deadline (31 January 2026).

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Draft Highlights by team

Tomateros de Culiacán – Power and Veteran Pitching

1. Luis “El Tigre” Pérez (RHP,29 y) – 2025 winter‑league ERA 2.67, 89 K in 68 IP; signed to a two‑month contract to bolster the late‑inning rotation.
2. Andrés García (1B, 27 y) – .312/.398/.526 slash line with 12 HR in 45 games; provides left‑handed power for clutch situations.
3. José “Cochito” Silva (C, 24 y) – defensive catcher with a career 48% caught‑stealing rate; added depth behind the plate.

Naranjeros de Hermosillo – Speed and Bullpen Reinforcement

1. Javier “Jet” Méndez (CF, 22 y) – stolen‑base leader (23 SB) in the 2025 Mexican League; brings speed to the top of the order.
2. Roberto Castillo (LHP, 31 y) – veteran left‑hander, 2025 LMP reliever stats: 4‑1, 2.91 ERA, 38 K in 33 IP; expected to close high‑leverage games.
3. Eduardo “Gato” Hernández (DH, 28 y) – .298 average with 10 RBI in 30 appearances; adds a right‑handed bat for middle‑lineup flexibility.

Cañeros de Los Mochis – Young Arms and Infield Depth

1. Carlos “El Heat” Rivera (RHP,23 y) – 2025 prospect with a fastball topping 96 mph; 4.12 FIP in limited action, projected as a swing‑man.
2. Marco Torres (SS, 26 y) – .285/.360/.420 slash line, 45 RBI; strong defensive range (+12 Runs Saved).
3. Alberto “Beto” Ramos (3B, 30 y) – veteran presence, .263 average with 8 HR, known for clutch hitting.

Venados de Mazatlán – International Experience and Clutch Hitting

1. Juan Pablo “JP” Ortiz (RHP, 28 y, former MLB) – 2025 Triple‑A stats: 5‑2, 3.15 ERA, 71 K in 62 IP; brings MLB‑level poise to the rotation.
2. Miguel “Miki” Álvarez (LF, 25 y) – 2025 LMP slugger, 14 HR, .301 average; expected to protect the left‑handed power core.
3. Fernando “Nene” Ruiz (C, 29 y) – solid frame caller, 7‑2 record in 2025, 2.78 ERA; will share duties with starter catcher Carlos Méndez.

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Impact on Pitching Staffs

* Depth increase – Each semifinalist added at least two pitchers, raising total available starters/relievers from 12 to 14‑15, a critical buffer against injuries and fatigue in a compressed playoff schedule.

* Left‑handed options – Tomateros, Naranjeros, and Venados now possess three left‑handed arms each, allowing managers to tailor matchups against dominant left‑handed lineups (e.g., Oaxaca’s left‑heavy batting order).

* High‑leverage relievers – the addition of Castillo (LHP) and Ruiz (RHP) gives Naranjeros and Venados dedicated closers, reducing reliance on swing‑men for ninth‑inning situations.

Fast Pitching Checklist for Fans

1. Identify the new starters – Look for first‑inning assignments in the first two playoff games.
2. Watch the bullpen usage – Track innings pitched per reliever to gauge trust level from the coaching staff.
3. Monitor left‑handed splits – Check opponent batting averages against LHPs to assess matchup effectiveness.

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Offensive Reinforcements and Run Production

* Power surge – The combined home‑run totals of the six new hitters (Pérez, García, Hernández, Álvarez, Ortiz, Ramos) exceed 48 HR for the regular season, promising an uptick in late‑inning run potential.

* Speed element – Méndez’s 23 stolen bases provide a “run‑creation catalyst,” especially valuable in low‑scoring games where a single stolen base can decide a series.

* Right‑left balance – With a near‑equal split of left‑ and right‑handed batters added, managers can construct lineups that neutralize opposing pitcher platoons.

Sample Lineup Adjustments (Tomateros)

Position	Existing Starter	New Reinforcement	Potential Spot
1B	Luis Torres	Andrés García	3rd
LF	Carlos Martínez	—	4th
CF	—	—	—
DH	—	—	—
C	—	José Silva	2nd

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Strategic Benefits for Playoffs

1. Roster elasticity – The expanded bench (up to 30 players) allows managers to rotate fresh arms and hot batters without violating the LMP 27‑player active‑roster limit.
2. Experience factor – Veteran signings (e.g., JP Ortiz, Roberto castillo) bring postseason know‑how, often translating into composure under pressure.
3. Scouting advantage – Teams that drafted players from the Mexican League (e.g., Rivera) gain insight into opposing pitchers’ tendencies, aiding in in‑game adjustments.

Playoff ‘must‑watch’ Scenarios

Scenario	Key Reinforcement	Expected Impact
Late‑inning rally vs. Venados	Andrés García (1B)	Power surge in 7th‑9th innings
Bullpen showdown in Game 3	Roberto Castillo (LHP)	Stabilizes left‑handed closing role
speed‑driven run in Game 5	Javier Méndez (CF)	Potential go‑ahead run via steal

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Practical Tips for Fans Tracking Roster Changes

1. Follow official LMP Twitter feeds – Real‑time updates on activation dates and game‑day rosters.
2. Use the “Archyde Live Stats” widget – Highlights player performance metrics (OBP, K/9) specific to newly drafted reinforcements.
3. Set Google Alerts – Keywords such as “Tomateros draft Pérez” or “Naranjeros Castillo signing” deliver the latest news directly to inbox.
4. Check the LMP official website’s “Roster Moves” section – Updated every 24 hours during the playoff window,including injury reports and optional player releases.

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Real‑World Example: Tomateros vs. Venados – Game 2 (Jan 20 2026)

* Starter: Luis Pérez (RHP) – 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 K.

* Mid‑game Boost: Andrés García hit a two‑run homer in the 6th, shifting momentum.

* Closing: José silva recorded a perfect 9th‑inning,sealing a 5‑4 win.

This performance illustrates how the draft‑acquired players immediately impacted a high‑stakes playoff game,validating each team’s strategic investment.