Leones del Escogido have opened preseason training in Boca Chica with their sights set on winning a third consecutive Dominican Professional Baseball League title.
The Santo Domingo club will begin their title defence on Friday, October 16, when they host Tigres del Licey at 7:15 p.m. Key members of their back to back championship squad are scheduled to take the field for the opening night game.
The Dominican Professional Baseball League, known as Lidom, is the premier winter baseball circuit in the Dominican Republic. Escogido enter the 2026-27 season pursuing their 19th league crown and seeking to become three-time consecutive champions for the third time in franchise history.
Defensive heroics in back to back titles
Outfielder Sócrates Brito delivered the championship-winning out in each of the team's past two finals. In the 2024-25 final, Brito caught a line drive off Francisco Mejía that nearly hit the ground, securing Escogido's 17th title and ending a three-peat attempt by two-time defending champions Licey.
One year later, Brito produced another dramatic final catch to win ring number 18. Leaping against the right field wall, he caught a fly ball hit by Toros del Este third baseman Jeimer Candelario to end the championship series.
Brito told Diario Libre that making those two title-clinching outs was incredible. However, he stated that past achievements belong in the past and the squad is maintaining a clear focus on the upcoming tournament.
Squad fitness and management focus
Shortstop Erik González was the first player to report to training in Boca Chica. After dividing his summer campaign between the Leones de Yucatán in Mexico and the Atléticos de Puerto Plata in the Dominican Summer League, González overcame physical setbacks and arrived in excellent shape.
González said that keeping the same player group together is a key asset for the club. He added that the team's focus is entirely on future challenges rather than previous titles.
Manager Ramón Santiago took over the team during the previous campaign after replacing Puerto Rican manager Álex Cintrón, who was dismissed following a 13-18 record when round-robin qualification was in danger. Santiago steered the squad to the championship and now faces the challenge of leading a three-peat campaign.
Santiago acknowledged that aiming for a third straight title is a demanding commitment. He stressed that while the previous back to back titles are secured in history, the team is concentrated on winning crown number 19.
Roster depth and historic legacy
Escogido's opening night line-up is set to feature core players including outfielder José Marmolejos and first baseman Yamaico Navarro alongside Brito and González. Santiago also announced that outfielders Junior Lake and Franchy Cordero will join the squad soon to add offensive and defensive depth. Pitcher Rolddy Muñoz of the Atlanta Braves organization will report once his Major League Baseball duties conclude.
General Manager Carlos Peña emphasized that while current discipline requires concentrating on the present task, the club's storied history serves as a powerful driver. Escogido achieved their first three-peat in the late 1950s led by future Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal, Felipe Alou, and Osvaldo Virgil, the first Dominican to play in Major League Baseball.
Three decades later, a second core featuring Rufino Linares, Junior Noboa, Nelson Liriano, Gerónimo Berroa, Junior Félix, and José de León accomplished the same milestone. Peña said that maintaining this winning tradition is central to the team's identity as they prepare for the new season.
