Next up, it's the
Jaguares de México.
Based in Mexico City's Parque General Lázaro Cárdenas, the team is of course named after the Mexica Empire's jaguar warriors, or Ocelopilli. (Fun fact: the ocelot is named after the Nahuatl word ocelotl which is actually what they called jaguars).
Jaguar warriors belonged to the Mexica lower class, and so this team is considered the "popular" team of Mexico's capital and with far fewer resources than their local rivals. The Eagle and the Jaguar were chosen as symbols for day and night respectively (as they are diurnal and nocturnal hunters), just another example of the duality that was present in everyday life during prehispanic times. These warriors used to wear jaguar skins to battle as they believed they would gain the jaguar's powers. A whole jaguar skin is probably overkill when standing in the batter's box so our ballgame warriors will be wearing pinstripes instead.
Owned by Mexico City's agriculture institution*, 64 year-old Alejandro Carrillo has been designated to look over the team. Very hands-off and patient, Carrillo will attempt to use a small amount of the institution's budget to see how they can profit.
*It wasn't rare for early Mexican sports teams to be owned by public institutions. Examples include baseball teams Agrario, Agricultura, Tránsito and even footballing greats Atlante were at one point owned by Mexico's Social Security institution.
The Jaguars are managed by Julio Reyes. Hailing from Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Reyes is known for being easygoing. His past as a legendary infielder might shape his future as a manager in the league.
Predicted Record: 41-43 (8 GB) - .276 AVG (5th) - 2.78 ERA (7th)
Here's their pitching staff and starting lineup:
LHP Andrés Amaya - 21 y/o from Mexico City
Amaya seems to never get tired of throwing. His low velocity stuff won't get him a lot of strikeouts, but the ability to place his fastballs, sliders and sinkers wherever he wants make him the #1 starter of this Mexico team.
LHP Luis Helguera - 39 y/o from Mexico City
Your ordinary Ullamaliztli thrower, Helguera can "move his changeup at will" according to batters who faced him in the amateur ranks. This season will show wether he has anything left in the tank.
RHP David Garza - 32 y/o from Mexico City
Known more for livening up the dressing room than for his pitching ability. Garza can throw 5 different pitches but none of them are really outstanding.
RHP Melvin Ramírez - 27 y/o from Mexico City
Average overall, he has been called "lazy" by his coaches which means he won't ever throw more than one or two innings.
C Alfredo Hernández - 23 y/o from Irapuato, Guanajuato
Leading by example, "Bala" (The Bullet) is known for his great defense and hitting power.
1B David Arroyo - 23 y/o from Coacalco, Estado de México
A slow learner and a slow runner, Arroyo is mostly known for his hitting ability.
2B Antonio Sánchez - 24 y/o from Monterrey, Nuevo León
"El Regio" is not one to draw attention to himself. Even so, he catches the eye on the field as he seems to be somewhat of a 5-tool player.
3B Rico Santistevan - 29 y/o from Atoyac, Jalisco
Good on both sides of the ball, he makes the Jaguares fans proud.
SS Omar Morales - 22 y/o from Tlayacapan, Morelos
Morales has good contact skills, is good at avoiding strikeouts and a great runner. However, his greatest ability is with the glove as he doesn't let any ball through.
LF José Palmerín - 23 y/o from Gómez Palacio, Durango
A versatile fielder, Palmerín excels at putting the ball in play.
CF Rubén González - 32 y/o from Tlalnepantla, Estado de México
Great fielding and speed make up for his lack of hitting skill.
RF Salvador Velázquez - 25 y/o from Mexico City
It is said that Salvador knows whether it's a ball or a strike even before the ball is thrown. He'll be frequently on base and will compete for the stolen bases title. He's also pretty good on defense, making him one of the favorites for the first Tlatoani Award.
Bench
C Miguel Maltos - 29 y/o from Tlalnepantla, Estado de México (45/45)
1B Joaquín González - 22 y/o from Temascalcingo, Estado de México (40/45)
1B Héctor Muñoz - 32 y/o from Ecatepec, Estado de México (35/35)
SS José Chávez - 35 y/o from Mexico City (35/35)
SS José Colindres - 22 y/o from Amecameca, Estado de México (50/50)
RF Alejandro Partida - 27 y/o from Cuautitlán, Estado de México (40/40)
Reserve
C Jesús Serrano - 22 y/o from Zinacantepec, Estado de México (40/40)
2B David Sabedra - 37 y/o from Ixtapaluca, Estado de México (30/30)
3B Ignacio Gutiérrez - 33 y/o from Mexico City (30/30)
3B David Pizarro - 18 y/o from Mexico City (20/65)
RF Francisco Arias - 30 y/o from Tlaquiltenango, Morelos (35/35)
