Bryan Lavastida Joins Licey For 2026-27 LIDOM Season

The Tigres del Licey have signed catcher Bryan Lavastida for the 2026-27 season of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM), bringing in a player who is set to make his fourth appearance in the Dominican winter league.

Lavastida, 27, is part of the Athletics organization and has previous LIDOM experience with the Estrellas Orientales and Toros del Este. He played for the Estrellas during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns before joining the Toros last season.

Lavastida Brings Triple-A Production To Licey

The catcher arrives after appearing in 82 games for the Las Vegas Aviators, the Athletics’ Triple-A affiliate. He recorded seven home runs, 14 doubles, 32 walks, 44 runs and 48 RBIs, while also stealing nine bases.

Lavastida’s plate discipline was another notable part of his 2026 season. He struck out in 15.7% of his plate appearances and swung and missed on 21.2% of his swings. Across his professional career, he has posted a .348 on-base percentage, reflecting an ability to reach base beyond his power numbers.

The Florida native has also developed an unusual running profile for a catcher. Lavastida has stolen 120 bases in 161 attempts during his professional career, giving Licey an option with speed at a position where baserunning production is less common.

Licey Adds Experience Behind The Plate

Audo Vicente, Licey’s vice president of baseball operations, said Lavastida’s previous experience in LIDOM was an important factor in the signing. Vicente also pointed to the catcher’s discipline and speed as qualities that could strengthen the roster.

For Licey, the addition provides further depth at catcher ahead of a season in which the club is continuing to assemble its group of reinforcements. Familiarity with Dominican winter baseball can also reduce the adjustment required for a player returning to the league.

For international readers following Dominican Republic news, the signing is another development to watch as LIDOM teams finalize their rosters ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

The signing makes Lavastida the sixth reinforcement announced by Licey for the 2026-27 campaign. The group also includes pitchers Daniel Martínez, José Quintana and CJ Van Eyk, outfielder Estevan Florial and versatile infielder José Barrero.

Van Eyk To Join Licey Later In The Season

Licey also announced that Van Eyk will join the team during the second half of the championship. The pitcher is expected to receive additional rest after completing an extended summer season, meaning his availability will come later than that of the other announced reinforcements.

With Lavastida now added to the roster, Licey has continued to build its reinforcement group around players with professional experience in the United States and previous exposure to LIDOM. His combination of catching experience, plate discipline and speed will give the club another option as it prepares for the 2026-27 season.