After the 2014 season, Pericos were sold to Monclova mining magnate Gerardo Benavides Pape. Benavides was intent on upgrading the Pericos to be one of the top teams in the LMB in all aspects, from maintaining a competitive on-field product, upgrading the stadium experience and being active in the community. In order to develop young talent, Benavides created a minor league farm system by acquiring the Frontera Rieleros of the Liga Coahuila, and struck an affiliation deal with the Algodoneros de San Luis Rio Colorado of the Liga Norte (the top minor league in the country). He also developed a Baseball Academy in Monclova to bring in high potential youth players and give them the facilities, focus, and coaching to develop to their fullest capability. He also recognized the growing interest in Mexican players, markets and fan bases from Major League Baseball, in the United States. In order to foster and capitalize on closer relations with MLB, and build out the club's player development system, Pape installed one of the top minor league General Managers from the U.S. in Texas-native and Mexican-American Jose Melendez.