Cardinals AFL/Winter Ball Preview 2025-2026
Credit: abriendoeljuego (Instagram)
When the MLB season ends, baseball doesn’t. Several leagues in the US and Latin America play from October into the early months of 2026. Winter leagues are one of the most unique forms of baseball in the world, as the players on each team come from vastly different levels and backgrounds. It isn’t uncommon to have a player who hasn’t made it past High-A pitching to Robinson Cano or Junior Caminero, established current and former stars of the game. In this way, it becomes a proving ground for young prospects trying to show their organizations that they can compete against higher levels of competition.
It is also a proving ground for up-and-coming managers, like we saw last year with both Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina managing teams. Neither Yadi nor Albert will be managing Winter League teams this offseason, as both focus on managing their respective countries in the WBC.
As I did last year, I will be covering the five main leagues this offseason. Those include the AFL, LIDOM (D.R.), LMP (Mexico), LBPRC (Puerto Rico), and LVBP (Venezuela). Over 40 players are currently on rosters (not all will play), and more American imports are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Arizona Fall League (AFL)
Start Date: October 6
Championship Date: November 15 (MLB Network)
AFL All-Star Game: November 9 (MLB Network)
Number of Games: 30
Number of Teams: 6
Comparable Level: AA/AAA
Where to Watch: MLB.com (MLB App)
Glendale Desert Dogs
Players: RHP Tyler Bradt (AA), OF Travis Honeyman (A+), OF Miguel Ugueto (AA), RHP D.J. Carpenter (A+), RHP Randel Clemente (AA)*, RHP Chen-Wei Lin (AA), RHP Darlin Saladin (AA)*, C Grayson Tarlow (AA)
The most intriguing player the Cardinals are sending to the Fall League this year is obviously Chen-Wei Lin. Lin threw only 50.1 innings this year after two injuries limited him to 17 starts. Getting Statcast data on Lin will be interesting, and seeing if he can control the zone and pitch well when he doesn’t have his changeup will likely be the main focus this fall.
Ugueto, Carpenter, Saladin, and Clemente are all Rule 5 eligible this December, giving the Cardinals a final opportunity to evaluate them before determining whether to protect them from minor or major league Rule 5 eligibility.
The main position player to watch will be Travis Honeyman, who, for the first time in his career, stayed healthy for most of the season. The Fall League will be a good test to see where the 23-year-old stands heading into next year. Both Bradt and Clemente are key names to watch on the relief side, as both feature mid-to-high-90s fastballs and solid breaking balls, which could make them solid MLB options in the future.
LIDOM (Dominican Republic)
Start Date: October 15
Round Robin Date: Late December
Number of Games: 50
Number of Teams: 6
Comparable Level: Slightly higher than AAA
Where to Watch: MLB.TV (paid subscription)
Leones Escogido
Players: OF Joshua Baez (AA), INF Jesus Baez (A+), OF Darlin Moquete (AA), C Rainiel Rodriguez (A+), INF Cesar Prieto (MLB), RHP Victor Santos (AAA, IL)
The most intriguing team in terms of potential Cardinals talent is Escogido, the team that Albert Pujols managed last year. It’s hard to tell which of these players will play for Leones this year, though Moquete played for them last year, and Prieto has played in LIDOM each of the last two seasons and seems like a lock to return.
Rainiel Rodriguez is the most intriguing name on this list, as he was drafted by Leones in this year's draft and could make the roster with the lack of solid catching in the league. The two Baez’s would be fun to watch as well, though their participation seems unlikely.
LIDOM is the toughest winter league, consisting mostly of AAA and MLB talent, so having Rainiel Rodriguez or either Baez play would be a good gauge of where their current talent level stands. Santos is training with Escogido and is expected to pitch this winter.
Águilas Cibaeñas
Players: RHP Hancel Rincon (AA, IL), RHP Edwin Nunez (AA), RHP Roddery Munoz (MLB), RHP Jorge Alcala (MLB)
In years past, Aguilas has been one of the most active teams in terms of Cardinals talent on their roster, including allowing Yadi to manage last year. With Angel Ovalles (Cardinals scout) leaving Cibaeñas to become the GM for Estrellas Orientales,
Aguilas has decided to cut ties with much of their Cardinals talent, including Yadi, Jose Suarez, and Cesar Prieto. Suarez is still a free agent, while Prieto has signed with Escogido.
Nunez pitched for Aguilas last year and could return again this season, as the new mechanics they’ve been working on could use more in-game refinement this offseason. Rincon is very unlikely due to injury, and Munoz and Alcala seem like toss-ups, as neither has participated recently.
Gigantes del Cibao
Players: INF Jose Fermin (MLB)
Jose Fermin has been a regular in the Gigantes lineup since the 2021–22 LIDOM season, and I expect him to play again this year.
Estrellas Orientales
Players: RHP Darlin Saladin (AA)*, RHP Nelfy Ynfante (A), RHP Gerson Moreno (AAA)
This is the team that Cardinals scout Angel Ovalles now runs as GM, so don’t be surprised if some Cardinals-American reinforcements are announced for them in the coming weeks.
With the current roster, I wouldn’t expect Saladin to pitch this year, since the AFL is his main focus this offseason. Nelfy Ynfante seems like a long shot, as his skill level isn’t quite up to par with the regulars in this league yet, though he could get an opportunity in the future. Moreno seems like a lock to pitch this year.
Toros del Este
Players: UTIL Bryan Torres (AAA)
Torres is in an interesting spot, as he signed contracts with both a LIDOM and LBPRC team for this offseason. Since the LIDOM season starts in mid-October and the LBPRC season doesn’t begin until November, Torres could technically play in both leagues this winter. Personally, I’d love to see him spend most of the winter in LIDOM because of the tougher competition, though being from Puerto Rico, I could also see him prioritizing Caguas.
Tigres del Licey
Players: RHP Randel Clemente (AA)*
With his participation in the AFL, Clemente’s involvement in LIDOM this year seems very unlikely, though there were rumors of him pitching if he hadn’t been selected for the AFL. Future participation seems likely.
LVBP (Venezuela)
Start Date: October 15
Round Robin: Late December
Number of Games: 56
Number of Teams: 8
Comparable Level: AAA
Where to Watch: BeisbolPlay ($29.99 for the full season)
Note: The ongoing political and humanitarian situation in Venezuela could affect the schedule and cause some players to opt out this year.
Navegantes del Magallanes
Players: OF Jose Cordoba (A+), OF Mike Antico (AAA), RHP Zach Plesac (AAA)
Navegantes is one of the more popular teams in terms of Cardinals connections because AAA pitching coach Darwin Marrero is also their pitching coach.
Cordoba played for them last year and could return. Antico and Plesac are both imports under contract to play this year, making Magallanes one of the best LVBP teams to follow for Cardinals fans.
Bravos de Margarita
Players: SS Jeremy Rivas (AA), C Carlos Linarez (AAA)
Two underrated Cardinals prospects will suit up for Bravos this year. Jeremy Rivas had a strong LVBP season last winter, hitting .284 with a .765 OPS. He wasn’t able to carry that momentum into Double-A, but he’ll look to get back on track in his native country this winter.
Linarez only played two games last year, but with the lack of catching depth in winter ball, he should have an expanded role this time around.
Tiburones de La Guaira
Players: 1B Willson Contreras (MLB), RHP Keiverson Ramirez (A), LHP Oddanier Mosqueda (AAA)
This might be the most interesting team in Venezuela to follow because of Wilson Contreras. Normally, he wouldn’t even consider playing winter ball, but with the WBC coming up, many Venezuelan MLB players are using the LVBP season to prepare.
Ronald Acuna Jr. and Jose Altuve have already confirmed they’ll play, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see Contreras appear for a few games in December or January. Mosqueda has pitched for Tiburones the past couple of seasons and should return. Ramirez is a long shot, as the competition level is higher than what he’s faced so far.
Águilas del Zulia
Players: SS Miguel Villarroel (A+, IL), RHP Jose Davila (A+), C Yohel Pozo (MLB)
Pozo has said he would love to play for Aguilas, so don’t be surprised if we see him this season. Davila struggled last winter but should get another shot given the lack of good arms in Venezuela. Villarroel missed the second half of the year with an undisclosed injury, but if healthy, he could get some reps this winter.
Caribes de Anzoátegui
Players: RHP Leonel Sequera (A), INF Johnfrank Salazar (A+)
I wouldn’t be surprised if Sequera gets some innings with Caribes. The league lacks strong starting pitching, and it would be good to see how he performs against higher-level competition, as he’s one of the more underrated pitching prospects in the organization. Salazar might play, but more as a depth piece.
LBPRC (Puerto Rico)
Start Date: November 7
Playoffs: Early January
Number of Games: 40
Number of Teams: 6
Comparable Level: A+/AA
Where to Watch: YouTube (free)
Gigantes de Carolina
Players: 1B/3B Deniel Ortiz (A+), RHP Osvaldo Berrios (AAA)
The most intriguing Cardinals player in the LBPRC this winter is breakout prospect Deniel Ortiz, who posted an .878 OPS across two levels in 2025. Ortiz played 20 games with Carolina last year, hitting only .133, but that was before he made his professional debut. This time, he’s set up to have much more success. Berrios was one of the best pitchers in the LBPRC last winter, posting a 0.45 ERA in 20 innings, and he’s expected to play a key role again this year.
Leones de Ponce
Players: C Sammy Hernandez (A+)
Hernandez struggled this year across two levels, hitting .227 with a .644 OPS, following a tough 2024–25 LBPRC season where he hit .191 with a .511 OPS. On the bright side, he was excellent two years ago, hitting .253 with a .744 OPS and winning the LBPRC Rookie of the Year. Hopefully, he can rediscover that success this winter and carry it into 2026.
Criollos de Caguas
Players: RHP Ricardo Velez (AA), UTIL Bryan Torres (AAA)*
As mentioned earlier, Torres signed with both Caguas and a Dominican team, so it’s unclear how he’ll split his time. Being from Puerto Rico and potentially a WBC candidate, he may prioritize playing with Caguas. Velez has pitched very well for them in recent seasons and turned that into a 1.99 ERA for Springfield this year. Expect to see him back this winter.
LMP (Mexico)
Start Date: October 14
Playoffs: Early January
Number of Games: 68
Number of Teams: 10
Comparable Level: AA/AAA
Where to Watch: YouTube (membership required, $7.99 per month)
Cañeros de Los Mochis
Players: RHP Luis Gastelum (AA)
Gastelum was incredible last winter for Los Mochis, pitching to a 1.82 ERA across 24.2 innings and earning Rookie of the Year honors. I think Gastelum may even have an outside chance at making Mexico’s bullpen for the WBC, and I would expect him to play for Los Mochis again if the Cardinals allow it.
Tucson Baseball Team
Players: 3B Ramon Mendoza (AA), 1B/OF Matt Lloyd (AAA)
Yes, there is a team in the LMP that isn’t based in Mexico, as Mayos de Navojoa relocated to Tucson, Arizona, for the 2025–26 season. Ramon Mendoza has been featured in team advertisements recently, which suggests he’ll play this winter after a strong season in Springfield with an .842 OPS. Matt Lloyd hasn’t played in the LMP since the 2023–24 season, so his participation is uncertain, though the Arizona location increases the odds slightly.
Jaguares de Nayarit
Players: RHP Gerardo Salas (A+)
The Sultanes de Monterrey moved to Nayarit and became the Jaguares. After a tough season in Peoria where he posted an 8.10 ERA, Salas will return to Mexico, where he’s had better results the last two years, posting ERAs of 4.11 and 4.44. Hopefully, he can bounce back and reset his trajectory heading into 2026.
Águilas de Mexicali
Players: RHP Alan Reyes (A)
One of the most underrated pitchers in the organization, Reyes posted a 1.52 ERA across 47.1 innings this year, striking out 52 between the FCL and Palm Beach. He’s hinted on Instagram that he’ll be pitching for Mexicali this winter, which is exciting because his stuff is good enough for him to be a breakout performer like Gastelum was last year.
Naranjeros de Hermosillo
Players: RHP Curtis Taylor (AAA)
Taylor has pitched for Hermosillo the last two years and found major success as a starter last season after working with Driveline to revamp his arsenal. After throwing 137.1 innings this year for Memphis, his participation this winter seems doubtful as he prepares to compete for a role with St. Louis in 2026.
Other Important Links
Arizona Fall League Website: https://www.mlb.com/arizona-fall-league
MLB Winter Leagues Website (LIDOM, LBPRC, LMP, and LVBP scores): https://www.mlb.com/es/ligas-invernales
