New Mexico first; now, The Show
Six state products are expected to break camp with big-league teams
They can’t quite fill a lineup card yet, but it’s getting close.
The number of New Mexico players sporting Major League uniforms has grown to six with the 2018 season set to open this week. Some teams had not officially announced opening-day rosters as of Tuesday, but six New Mexicans were listed on 40-man rosters and appear to have big-league spots locked up.
Blake Swihart and Mitch Garver finished 2017 in the majors and earned return engagements this spring. Alex Bregman, Ken Giles, Mike Dunn and Matt Moore were on opening-day rosters last season.
In terms of success, 2017 might be hard for the New Mexico contingent to top. Bregman and Giles helped the Houston Astros win the franchise’s first World Series title, while Dunn’s Colorado Rockies, Garver’s Minnesota Twins and Swihart’s Boston Red Sox all advanced to postseason play.
Moore spent last season with a struggling San Francisco Giants squad but was traded to the Texas Rangers over the winter.
“I think six might be a record for New Mexico boys,” University of New Mexico baseball coach Ray Birmingham said. “I think that number might go up during the season and I hope it does. I’ll be rooting for all of them.”
Here’s a quick alphabetical look at the New Mexicans on major league rosters. ALEX BREGMAN, HOUSTON ASTROS (Age: 23, Position: 3B)
Outlook: Bregman became a household name in his first full season. His memorable postseason included a walk-off hit in Game 5 of the World Series. Expectations are sky high for the former Albuquerque Academy star, who is expected to bat between World Series MVP George Springer and AL MVP Jose Altuve. Bregman hit .284 with 19 homers and 71 RBIs for Houston in 2017.
MIKE DUNN, COLORADO ROCKIES
(Age: 32, Position: LHP)
Outlook: Dunn was a primary lefty setup man in his first season with the Rockies in 2017, appearing in 68 games and posting a 4.47 ERA during Colorado’s run to a National League wild card berth. The Farmington native figures to have a similar role this season and is coming off a strong spring during which he allowed just one earned run in seven appearances.
MITCH GARVER, MINNESOTA TWINS
(Age: 27, Position: C) Outlook: Garver earned his first major league promotion last season with the Twins in a playoff chase. As a result, the former La Cueva and UNM standout appeared in 23 games after a strong season at TripleA Rochester. Minnesota saw enough that it did not re-sign backup catcher Chris Gimenez. Garver will back up Jason Castro at catcher and may fill in at first base and in the outfield.
KEN GILES, HOUSTON ASTROS
(Age: 27, Position: RHP) Outlook: Giles had a rough postseason and ended up taking a loss in Game 4 of the World Series, but he played a key role in helping Houston to a 101-win regular season. The Rio Grande High graduate posted a 2.30 ERA in 63 games and had 34 saves in 38 chances. The Astros added relief pitching during the offseason, but Giles remains the team’s primary closer.
MATT MOORE, TEXAS RANGERS
(Age: 28, Position: LHP) Outlook: Moore struggled as part of a bad club in 2017, finishing 6-15 with a 5.52 earned-run average and leading the National League in losses. The Moriarty High alum still has a 51-48 career record, however, and is hoping to make the most of a fresh start with the Rangers. Moore, who was traded for a pair of prospects including former UNM righthander Sam Wolff, projects as Texas’ No. 4 starter.
BLAKE SWIHART, BOSTON RED SOX
(Age: 26, Position: Utility)
Outlook: A nasty ankle injury suffered in 2016 limited Swihart to 25 major league games over the past two seasons. Because he is out of minor league options, rumors were swirling that Boston would trade or designate the Cleveland High graduate for assignment this spring. But Swihart had a strong spring, played several positions and earned a utility role with a Red Sox team that is expected to contend for an AL East title.