Up next we're travelling to the coastal city of Mérida, capital of the state of Yucatán. This state is known for its rich Mayan history, with many of its
The "white city", named so due to the calcium-rich materials that were used to build the city in colonial times, will host the Aulladores baseball team.
The team gets its nickname from the howler monkeys (monos aulladores in spanish) that inhabit the peninsula's lush jungles.
Owned by 52 year-old Luis Galicia, the team will be trying to compete with a relatively small budget. Galicia, a descendant of a colonial family, is the owner of a big piece of land which is used to grow henequen. He's a fan of the sport and wishes for the team to be a winner, but will only treat it as a side project and won't invest huge amounts of money.
The team is managed by Iván Egas, who was born in Kanasín, Yucatán. The 45 year old has a reputation as a run of the mill manager and coach. However, the players Mérida has managed to collect before the start of the season are anything but:
LHP Roberto García - 24 y/o from Toluca, Estado de México
A league-average pitcher, Roberto has great control and the movement on his curve and sinker will fetch lots of ground balls.
RHP Omar Xiu - 41 y/o from Mérida, Yucatán
Below average overall, his experience will give him a plus. He gets along with everyone in the dugout.
RHP Eulalio Sánchez - 36 y/o from Acajete, Puebla
Another below average pitcher with a wide repertoire, he would be able to throw lots of innings but injuries might be a concern at this stage of his career.
RHP Remigio Rodríguez - 26 y/o from Oztolotepec, Estado de México
Remigio is a durable curve-fastball thrower who will get strikeouts as a relief pitcher.
C José Trujillo - 24 y/o from Solidaridad, Quintana Roo
As a native of the peninsula, Trujillo loves the team and is looking forward to captaining it to glory. He'll be leading by example as his great ability as a catcher and at the plate make him one of the best at his position.
1B Santiago Salas - 35 y/o from Emiliano Zapata, Tabasco
Arguably one of the best hitters in the league, Salas' bat truly makes up for his lack of defensive skill. He's as loyal and hard working as any.
2B Quirino Ek - 32 y/o from Río Lagartos, Yucatán
Ek works hard to overcome his faults, making him a very good defender at every position he has tried. His bat is definitely below average though, but he will battle out each turn.
3B Enrique Canul - 27 y/o from Uayma, Yucatán
El Caimán, as he is known, has a cannon for an arm and the ability to reach most balls when defending. At the plate, he's disciplined and will put power behind the ball in every turn.
SS Antonio Monterrosa - 26 y/o from Oztolotepec
His swing and glove have potential to be one of the best in history. Not the fastest but knows when and how to run to get that extra base.
LF Héctor Pérez - 25 y/o from Mexico City
Durable and just above average at everything he does, Pérez would be a solid if unspectacular contributor on any team.
CF Celestino de la Rosa - 35 y/o from Cunduacán, Tabasco
One of the best amateur players in the country, perhaps the professional league came along too late for him to truly cement his legacy. His bat skills are top tier, with him being able to wait for the perfect throw to hit into the gaps. His speed is also an asset that will come into play both on the basepaths and with the glove.
RF Tomás Durán - 24 y/o from Nacajuca, Tabasco
Durán is only good with the bat and will hit for power but the team will wish someone else would go out and field instead.
Bench
C Fernando Padrón - 35 y/o from Teapa, Tabasco (30/30)
1B Efraín Cuxum - 29 y/o from Mérida, Yucatán (45/45)
SS Melquiades Espinoza - 22 y/o from Veracruz, Veracruz (45/45)
LF Carlos Córdova - 22 y/o from Tizimín, Yucatán (35/35)
LF Fermín Rivera - 29 y/o from Cárdenas, Tabasco (30/30)
Reserves
LHP Ángel Chacón - 29 y/o from Benito Juárez, Quintana Roo (20/20)
RHP Nazario Román - 40 y/o from Ahualulco, San Luis (25/25)
RHP Alfonso Simental - 16 y/o from Culiacán, Sinaloa (20/55)
RHP David Venegas - 28 y/o from Solidaridad, Quintana Roo (20/20)
RHP Carlos Monterrosa - 30 y/o from Centro, Tabasco (45/45)
RHP Felipe Martínez - 31 y/o from Mexico City (40/40)
C Jorge Velez - 16 y/o from Poncitlán, Jalisco (20/35)
2B Evaristo González - 35 y/o from Campeche, Campeche (30/30)
2B José Guzmán - 33 y/o from Benito Juárez, Quintana Roo (40/40)
2B Orlando Rosas - 16 y/o from León, Guanajuato (20/55)
2B Héctor Solís - 35 y/o from Campeche, Campeche (35/35)
CF José Contreras - 19 y/o from Tamazunchale, San Luis (20/60)
