This Thursday the regular season of Major League Baseball begins and of course the Dominicans will have an active presence once again.
A total of 32 Creole players are projected to be starters in the opening day, including three pitchers and another 29 on offense.
The Dominican talent that is projected to be a starter for the first day is divided into 16 representatives for each league.
The most resonant name is that of Sandy Alcántara, winner of the National League Cy Young Award, who will be in charge of taking the mound for the Miami Marlins, who will face the New York Mets and Max Scherzer in the opening party.
The Marlins also project Dominicans Jean Segura and Jesús Sánchez for the first day.
Juan Soto and Manny Machado, will be the representative duo of the San Diego Padres and who also appear in most of the rankings of the 10 best players today.
Machado was the top run creator in the 2022 campaign. He drove in 102 and scored in the cause of the San Diego Padres. He was second in MVP voting in the National League. While Soto, he seeks to vindicate himself in a campaign where he could achieve a historic contract extension.
The other pitchers starting the first day are Framber Valdez for Houston and Luis Castillo for Seattle.
The Astros have World Series MVP Jeremy Pena and the Mariners have rookie of the year Julio Rodríguez and newcomer Teoscar Hernández.
The other teams that plan to have three players for the opening day are the Cleveland Guardians, with their star José Ramírez, Amed Rosario and Óscar Gonzalez. Likewise, the Tampa Rays will have the figures of Wander Franco, José Sirí and Manuel Margot.
While the Pirates profile Oneil Cruz, Rodolfo Castro and Carlos Santana in their starting lineup.
Rafael Devers and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., tasked with once again leading the Red Sox and Blue Jays offensively in the AL East.
Willy Adames will look to reassert his star status once again with the Milwaukee Brewers at shortstop.
Infielder Jorge Mateo is shaping up to be the sole representative of the Baltimore Orioles, as is Ramón Laureano for the Oakland Athletics, who will be the right fielder.
The Chicago White Sox have power hitter Eloy Jimenez, who could be fourth off the bat in their lineup.
Franmil Reyes will return to the Majors now with the Kansas City Royals. Marcell Ozuna returns as a starter with the Atlanta Braves.
Veteran Starling Marte is also listed in the Mets’ projection for opening day.
Jeimer Candelario, the best hitter for the Dominican Republic in the World Classic will be the third baseman for the Washington Nationals and Víctor Robles will be their center fielder.
Ketel Marte will be the second baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He participated with the Dominican team in the World Cup event only in that position.
Elehuris Montero, who has 5 homers in the preseason, will be the third baseman for the Colorado Rockies.
The teams that do not project Dominicans as starting pitchers or in their starting lineup for the first date of the season next Thursday are: Angels, Yankees, Ranchers, Twins, Tigers, Dodgers, Giants, Reds, Cubs, Cardinals and the Phillies.
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Javier and Roansy Cristian Javier and Roansy Contreras are shaping up to be the second starters for Houston and Pittsburgh, respectively.
Peralta and Severino Freddy Peralta and Luis Severino (injured) will return to the court with the Brewers and Yankees.
Dominican Marlins Joining Sandy will also be veteran Johnny Cueto and Edward Cabrera, who earned a spot in practice.