In the North Zone, there are a total of nine teams as of 2021, including the Mexican League’s reigning champion, Toros de Tijuana. The other eight teams are the Acereros de Monclova, Algodoneros de Union Laguna, Generales de Durango, Mariachis de Guadalajara, Rieleros de Aguascalientes, Saraperos de Saltillo, Sultanes de Monterrey, and the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos.
Throughout the league, there is a massive amount of former MLB talent still playing as of last year, including the recently retired Adrian Gonzalez.
Let’s take a look at some of the notable former MLB players who appeared in the North Zone of the Mexican League last season.
Infielder Luis Cruz (MLB career: 2008-2010, 2012-2013 with 4 MLB organizations)
Luis Cruz, now 38 years old, last appeared in American baseball back in 2013 as a member of the New York Yankees. Since then, he has made professional appearances in both Japan and Mexico, most recently the Toros de Tijuana. In 2021, Cruz played in 52 games for the team, hitting six home runs while posting a .312 batting average and making defensive appearances at all four infield spots.
Outfielder Junior Lake (MLB career: 2013-2016 with 3 MLB organizations)
31-year-old outfielder Junior Lake, best known as a standout rookie for the Chicago Cubs back in 2013, has been bouncing around the Mexican League every year since 2017. Last season, Lake was a teammate of Cruz on the Toros de Tijuana; appearing in 64 games for the club, hitting 10 home runs and playing as the team’s primary center fielder.
Starting pitcher Horacio Ramirez (MLB career: 2003-2009, 2011 with 6 MLB organizations)
42-year-old Horacio Ramirez recently wrapped up his 24th season in professional baseball last year. The left-hander retired at the conclusion of the 2013 season, joining the Atlanta Braves’ coaching staff. In 2016, he returned to the mound for the Toros de Tijuana and has been playing for them ever since. Last season, Ramirez made 10 starts for the team, pitching 50 innings and striking out 17.
Relief pitcher Fernando Rodney (MLB career: 2002-2003, 2005-2019 with 11 MLB organizations)
We have a Fernando Rodney sighting! Now 44 years old, Rodney is pitching for the Toros de Tijuana, functioning as the team’s closer. In 2021, he won the Mexican League Reliever of the Year Award on the heels of a 1.80 ERA, 16-save, 40-strikeout showing in just 30 innings. He was an integral part to the Toros’ championship run last year and showed that he still has something left in the tank.
First baseman Kennys Vargas (MLB career: 2014-2017 with the Minnesota Twins)
Switch-hitter Kennys Vargas, best known for his light-tower-power as a member of the Twins a few years back, spent last season as a member of the Saraperos de Saltillo and recently signed a contract for 2022 with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos. Last year, Vargas played in 66 games for the Saraperos, hitting 18 home runs and posting a .310 batting average while splitting time between designated hitter and first base.
Middle Infielder Danny Espinosa (MLB career: 2010-2017 with 4 MLB organizations)
Longtime Washington Nationals infielder Danny Espinosa, now 34 years old, spent last season with the Acereros de Monclova; appearing in 26 games, hitting four home runs and playing shortstop on defense. Espinosa is another switch-hitter capable of playing all four infield spots.
First baseman Chris Carter (MLB career: 2010-2017 with 4 MLB organizations)
Now 35 years of age, slugging first baseman Chris Carter has spent the last two seasons in Monclova, playing as the team’s primary first baseman and posting massive power numbers. The 2016 NL home run leader hit 49 big flies in 2019 and just six last season, playing in only 26 games for the team.
Middle Infielder Erick Aybar (MLB career: 2006-2017 with 4 MLB organizations)
A former AL All-Star and Gold Glove Award winner, 38-year-old Erick Aybar has also spent the last few years in Monclova. In 2021, the switch-hitting Aybar played in 52 games for the club, hitting three home runs and posting a .313 batting average. A longtime shortstop in MLB, Aybar appeared exclusively at second base last year. Aybar recently signed a contract with the Algodoneros de Union Laguna for the 2022 season.
Starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (MLB career: 1997-2009, 2011-2018 with 12 MLB organizations)
Bartolo “Big Sexy” Colon is still actively pitching in the Mexican League at 48 years of age. Colon spent last year, his 26th season of professional baseball, with Monclova as well. He made 11 starts including one complete game, pitching 61+ innings and striking out 40. His home run-rate was somewhat high (1.8 HR/9) but he is still successfully limiting the walk as he always has throughout his career.
Outfielder Moises Sierra (MLB career: 2012-2014, 2018 with 3 MLB organizations)
While he is now technically a free agent, 33-year-old Moises Sierra has spent the last three seasons in the Mexican League and the Japanese Nippon Professional Baseball League. Last season as a member of the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos, Sierra hit eight home runs and posted a .300 batting average in 53 games. He recently added first base to his defensive repertoire as well, making at least one appearance there and at all three outfield spots in 2021.
Starting pitcher Wil Ledezma (MLB career: 2003-2011 with 7 MLB organizations)
41-year-old Wil Ledezma recently wrapped up his 22nd season in professional baseball with his brief tenure on the Tecolotes. Ledezma’s last appearance in American baseball was all the way back in 2012 as a member of the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate. After his three-start, 9.00 ERA showing in 2021, Ledezma is now closing in on 800 career appearances, sitting at 788 as of now.