It’s Opening Day in Major League Baseball which means it’s time to check which former Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have cracked Major League rosters.
Six former Georgia Tech baseball stars have made Major League rosters in 2019 as the Major League Baseball season is set to begin for 28 of the league’s 30 teams on Thursday. The Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners began their season last week in Japan while the rest of the league was in spring training.
Headling the former Jackets in the Majors is Colorado Rockies star centerfielder Charlie Blackmon. Here’s a quick breakdown of each of the six Jackets to make Major League rosters to start the season and where they’re playing this season.
- CF Charlie Blackmon – Colorado Rockies
Blackmon has turned into one of the best outfielders in all of baseball the last few seasons and will look to continue that trend in 2019 as he’s set to begin his ninth year in the Major Leagues with the Rockies. He’ll look to make his fourth career All-Star game in the process.
House That Hank Built
- RHP Luke Bard – Los Angeles Angels
Bard made his Major League debut last season for the Angels and pitched in eight games, posting a 5.40 ERA. He pitched well enough in spring training this year to make the Angels roster to the start the season and will look to complete his first full Major League season.
- 3B Derek Dietrich – Cincinnati Reds
Dietrich spent the first six years of his career with the Miami Marlins but was traded to the Cincinnati Reds this offseason. His contract was selected by the Reds on Thursday morning and it appears he’ll be a bench option for the Reds this season.
- LHP Buck Farmer – Detroit Tigers
The big lefty will begin his sixth year in the Big Leagues and is coming off the best year of his career. For the most part, Farmer has struggled in the Majors but the Tigers are willing to keep him on their roster as they rebuild. Perhaps he’s in for another career year.
- OF Daniel Palka – Chicago White Sox
Palka is set to begin his second year in the Major Leagues and his second year with the Chicago White Sox. Hype has begun to build around Palka and his potential in the future to be a quality Major Leaguer. Will Palka take the next step in his development?
- C Matt Wieters – St. Louis Cardinals
For most of the offseason, Wieters was unsigned but signed late in spring training with the St.Louis Cardinals. He made their opening day roster and will backup Yadier Molina in his 11th Major League season after spending eight with the Baltimore Orioles and two with the Washington Nationals.
Opening Day is one of the best days, if not the best day in all of sports. So no matter who you root for, it should be a fun season of baseball. We’ll provide updates on each of these Jackets as well as former Jackets in the minors as the season progresses.