Former area standouts make impact in MLB
2009 Cy Young Award winner and three-time all star has been tabbed Opening Day starter today vs. San Francisco.
Twotime all-star caught four of eight World Baseball Classic games in March to help Team USA win its first WBC title.
Opens season adjusting to new position with third team in three years, where he’ll see at-bats vs. left-handed pitching.
Suffered left knee injury at onset of Spring Training after appearing in just 45 MLB games the past four seasons. Posted career-high numbers in hits (133), home runs (30), RBI (81) and games played (152) last year in fourth MLB season. |
The Major League Baseball season gets underway today with former prep stars from the area taking part in opening day games.
For many others from the Orlando Sentinel coverage area, it’s back to chasing big-league dreams as more than 60 players in all open the season on major- and minor-league rosters.
Check out our All-Central Florida Opening Day lineup, with a tip of the cap to players with the most major league experience at their designated positions entering 2017.
Gold Glove recipient has hit better than .300 each of the past two years and stolen 31 bases on 38 attempts.
Lefthanded hitter is inching closer to MLB debut as the No. 6 prospect in organization according to Baseball America.
Most versatile player in lineup enters fifth season as true utility man after hitting career-best .270 in 60 games in 2016.
Has batted .292 (14-for-48) with five extra-base hits from left side of plate in 20 major league games past two seasons. Blood circulation issues in hand led to bullpen move in 2016 and 5.82 earned run average with 59 strikeouts in 60.1 innings.
Indians closer has tallied 90 saves past three years and enters fifth major league season with a 2.61 earned run average.