After a tumultuous winter, MLB Opening Day is finally here, and with it comes all the pomp and circumstance at each of the ballparks hosting a game today.
Making an Opening Day roster is something to celebrate, from the 10-year veterans of the game to those making their first team. Perfect Game All-Americans will be all over lineup cards today, with 87 alums of the Classic making Opening Day rosters across the country, on all but two teams, those being the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. The 87 alums are as of 10 am ET, as rosters remain somewhat fluid right up to first pitch.
There are also several other former PG All-Americans who are regulars in MLB lineups who are set to rejoin their respective teams after stints on either the IL or COVID list, which will bring the total close to 100 PG All-Americans in MLB.
There will be a number of former PG All-Americans who will be rookies this year, who had the proverbial “cup of coffee” in the Big Leagues last year. However, Kansas City’s Bobby Witt Jr, the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball, will be making his Major League debut on Opening Day. The No. 9 overall prospect, CJ Abrams, made the San Diego Padres' Opening Day roster. As is also the case with Cincinnati Reds' pitchers Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, who made the team out of camp.
There are four former (and one reigning) MVPs suiting up today who were once PG All-Americans: Kris Bryant, Freddie Freeman, Bryce Harper, and Andrew McCutchen. World Series MVPs Madison Bumgarner and Corey Seager will both have their name announced.
The Chicago White Sox lead the way with six PG All-Americans on the Opening Day roster: Ryan Burr, Dylan Cease, Lucas Giolito, Yasmani Grandal, Michael Kopech, and Reese McGuire.