International Baseball Stars highlight MLB Opening Day rosters

Opening Day rosters featured 269 players born outside the United States and 156 USA Baseball Alumni. Olympians plus Premier12 and WBSC Baseball World Cup stars feature on the two lists.

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<p>The 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) Opening Day rosters featured 269 players born outside the United States. Only 2020 (291, with expanded 30-man rosters) and 2022 (275, with expanded 28-man rosters) had more internationally-born players.</p>

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<p>Within the group of 269 are 89 players who competed in the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/news/record-breaking-world-baseball-classic-shows-power-of-international-baseball"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2023 World Baseball Classic</span></strong></a>, including seven who made the All-World Team; Randy Arozarena (born in Cuba, played for Mexico), Javier Baez (Puerto Rico), Yu-Chang (Chinese Taipei), Yohan Moncana (Cuba), Salvador Perez (Venezuela), Masataka Yoshida (Japan).</p>

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<p>Kodai Senga, Seiya Suzuki and Masataka Yoshida helped Japan win the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2021-baseball-olympic-games/home"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Tokyo 2020 gold medal</span></strong></a>. Suzuki was the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2019-premier12/news/wbsc-announces-premier12-mvp-all-world-team"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WBSC Premier12 2019 MVP</span></strong></a>.</p>

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<p>Senga made his MLB debut on 2 April. He struck out eight in 5.1 innings and earned his first win for the New York Mets. He recorded his first strikeout against Cuban international baseball veteran Yuli Gurriel.</p>

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<p>Seattle Mariners slugging outfielder Julio Rodriguez (pictured above) helped the Dominican Republic earn bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Games.</p>

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<p>Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Ji-Hwan Bae helped Korea to a silver medal in the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2017-u18-baseball-world-cup/home"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2017</span></strong></a>.</p>

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<p>San Diego Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim was one of the brightest stars of the WBSC Premier12 2019. He also represented Korea at the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2013-18u-baseball-world-cup/home"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2013</span></strong></a>.</p>

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<p>Toronto Blue Jays veteran left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu helped Korea win gold at the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/organisation/wbsc-events/olympics"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2008 Beijing Olympics</span></strong></a>.</p>

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<p>St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill represented Canada at the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2015-premier12/home"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2015 WBSC Premier12</span></strong></a>.</p>

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<p>Cleveland Guardians left-handed slugger Josh Naylor competed for Canada in a record three <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/organisation/wbsc-events/u-18-baseball-world-cup"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cups</span></strong></a> (2012, 2013, and 2015)</p>

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<p>As each year, the Dominican Republic leads with 104 players, followed by Venezuela (62), Cuba (21), Puerto Rico (19), Mexico (15), Canada (10), Japan (8), Colombia (7), Curaçao (4), Panama, Korea (4), Bahamas, Nicaragua (2), Aruba, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Honduras and Chinese Taipei (1). Jesus Luzardo of the Miami Marlins was born in Peru but developed as a player in Venezuela.</p>

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<p>USA Baseball announced that 156 alumni feature on Opening Day rosters and that all 30 MLB clubs will begin the season with at least two former USA Baseball National Team members. </p>

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<p>The list includes Tokyo 2020 silver medallists Scott McGough (Arizona Diamondbacks), Joe Ryan (Minnesota Twins), David Robertson (New York Mets), Nick Allen (Oakland A's) and Triston Casas (Boston Red Sox). Casas was the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2017-u18-baseball-world-cup/home"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2017 MVP</span></strong></a>. </p>

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<p>Evan Longoria (Arizona Diamondbacks) won the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/organisation/wbsc-events/world-champions"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2007 Baseball World Cup</span></strong></a></p>

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<p>Anthony Volpe helped the US win the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2013-u12-baseball-world-cup/standings"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WBSC U-12 Baseball World Cup 2013</span></strong></a> and contributed to a silver medal at the <a href="https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2016-u15-baseball-world-cup/home"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">U-15 Baseball World Cup 2016</span></strong></a>. On Opening Day, he debuted for the New York Yankees at shortstop and collected his first hit on 1 April against the San Francisco Giants. His number 11 jersey is almost sold out at the Yankees shop.</p>

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