MLB players from the Louisville area in 2024

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Major League Baseball season is officially underway for all 30 teams as Opening Day is held around the league Thursday.

There are numerous players with local connections who made MLB rosters to start the season. Here's a look at some of the players heading into the 2024 season: 

University of Louisville

Will Smith | Los Angeles Dodgers: The 29-year-old has emerged as one of the top catchers in baseball. Smith was an all-star for the first time in 2023, hitting .261 with 19 home runs and 76 RBI. He won a World Series in 2020 and is in the heart of the order with Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani for the Dodgers, the prohibitive favorite in the NL West. Smith and the Dodgers are finalizing a 10-year, $140 million contract extension, reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan on Wednesday.

Chad Green | Toronto Blue Jays: The relief pitcher appeared in 12 games last season after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Prior to 2023, Green pitched seven effective seasons for the Yankees.

Nick Burdi | New York Yankees: The hard-throwing right-hander made the Yankees out of spring camp. Burdi and Shawn Hill are the only pitchers to have made it back to the majors after two Tommy John surgeries plus thoracic outlet surgery, Greg Joyce reported for the New York Post.

Bobby Miller | Los Angeles Dodgers: A healthy starting pitcher on a loaded roster, Miller had an 11-4 record with a 3.76 ERA in 22 starts last season in his first year in the MLB. He'll be relied upon as the Dodgers await the return of starters Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw. 

Reid Detmers throws

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers throws to the plate during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Reid Detmers | Los Angeles Angels: The left-hander is an established arm in the Angels' rotation. In his second full season, Detmers had a 4.48 ERA in 148.2 innings last year. Selected 10th overall in the 2020 MLB Draft, Detmers tossed a no-hitter in his 11th career start in 2022. 

Henry Davis | Pittsburgh Pirates: The first overall draft pick in 2021 made his big league debut last season. The college catcher turned MLB outfielder had a .213 batting average with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 62 games last year.

Adam Duvall | Atlanta Braves: The Butler High School graduate returned to the team he won the 2021 World Series with in March. The outfielder had 21 home runs and 58 RBI in 92 games for the Red Sox last year. Duvall, 35, is expected to platoon in left field with former Mariners' top prospect Jarred Kelenic.  

Tyler Fitzgerald | San Francisco Giants: The utility player made his MLB debut last season and broke camp as a bench piece for a revamped Giants' roster. Fitzgerald is ranked as the Giants' No. 21 prospect by MLB Pipeline. 

Bryan Hoeing | Miami Marlins: The right-handed pitcher had an impressive spring, ending camp with a 1.69 ERA in 10.2 innings. He threw 70.2 innings for the Marlins last year, but had an ERA of 5.48. 

 

University of Kentucky

James Paxton | Los Angeles Dodgers: The left-handed starter signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers after returning from Tommy John surgery for the Boston Red Sox. Paxton made 19 starts last season, pitching 96 innings with a 4.50 ERA. Paxton hasn't pitched more than 150 innings since 2019 due to injuries. 

Luke Maile | Cincinnati Reds: The Edgewood, Kentucky, native returns as the backup catcher for the Reds. He played in 74 games last season and had an OPS+ of 87. 

Taylor Rogers | San Francisco Giants: The left-hander was an all-star in 2021 for the Twins. Rogers was a reliable reliever for the Giants last season, pitching 51.2 innings in 60 appearances for a 3.83 ERA. 

World Series Rangers Diamondbacks Baseball - Brandon Pfaadt

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt throws against the Texas Rangers during the first inning in Game 3 of the baseball World Series Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

 

Bellarmine University 

Brandon Pfaadt | Arizona Diamondbacks: The Trinity High School graduate made his MLB debut in 2023 and had 5.72 ERA in 96 innings, but his biggest moments came in the postseason. Pfaadt held the Dodgers scoreless in 4.1 innings in the NLDS and then held the Phillies scoreless in 5.2 innings in a pivotal Game 3 of the NLCS against the Phillies, along with four innings in the pennant-clinching Game 7. Pfaadt pitched Game 3 of the World Series, a 3-1 loss to the Texas Rangers, the eventual champions. The 25-year-old cemented a place in the Diamondbacks' rotation.

 

Indiana University

Kyle Schwarber | Philadelphia Phillies: A feared left-handed hitter, Schwarber hit 47 home runs and drove in 104 RBI last year. Although he struck out an NL-high 215 times and hit just .197, Schwarber finished with an OPS+ of 122 and OPS of .817. 

Tim Herrin | Cleveland Guardians: The left-hander made his MLB debut last season, appearing in 23 games for 27.2 innings and a 5.53 ERA.

 

Other local connections

Jo Adell | Los Angeles Angels: The outfielder from Ballard High School who was selected 10th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft will try to stay in the big leagues this season. Out of Minor League options, Adell has taken a different approach this year, reported by MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger. Adell made his MLB debut in 2020 and has shown glimpses of his potential and power in the Minor Leagues. 

Joe Boyle | Oakland Athletics: The North Oldham graduate made his MLB debut last September, finishing the year with a 1.69 ERA in 16 innings. Boyle, whose fastball reaches triple digits, became the first graduate from North Oldham to play in the MLB. 

Editor's note: This list does not include players on the injured list or minor leagues who are on an MLB club's 40-man roster

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