We may not have gotten a conclusion to the college baseball season, but at long last, it is finally Opening Day for Major League Baseball. Gone are the quibbles about salaries and COVID-19 protocols, today we just get to enjoy the great game. And of note for Texas A&M fans, is that six former Aggie baseball players are on Opening Day rosters, including five pitchers.

Daniel Mengden (P)

Oakland Athletics

Mengden has enjoyed a four-year Major League career, all with the A’s. Last season, he posted a 5-2 record with a 4.83 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 59.2 innings. His career numbers in the Majors are 17-19 with a 4.68 ERA and 214 strikeouts in 290.1 innings.

A.J. Minter (P)

Atlanta Braves

Minter’s career is off to a solid start with three seasons in the Braves’ bullpen. Last season, he racked up three wins and five saves in 36 relief appearances. For his career, Minter is 7-8 with 20 saves, a 4.28 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 105.2 innings.

Tyler Naquin (OF)

Cleveland Indians

Naquin is a four-year Major League veteran, all with the Indians. Last season, the Spring, Texas, native batted .288 with 34 runs, 19 doubles, 10 home runs and 34 RBI in 89 games. For his career, Naquin is hitting .283 with 112 runs, 46 doubles, five triples, 27 HR and 101 RBI in 285 games.

Brooks Raley (P)

Cincinnati Reds

Raley returns to America after pitching five seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization. The Uvalde, Texas, product played for the Lotte Giants from 2015-19, posting a 48-53 record with a 4.73 ERA and 755 strikeouts in 910.2 innings. Prior to heading overseas, Raley pitched in 14 games for the Chicago Cubs in 2012-13.

Ross Stripling (P)

Los Angeles Dodgers

Stripling has been a Swiss Army knife for the Dodgers during his four-year career, with 52 starts and 84 relief appearances. His career marks include a 20-24 record with two saves, a 3.51 ERA and 377 strikeouts in 387 innings. Last year, Stripling was 4-4 with a 3.47 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 90.2 innings. He boasts a 2018 MLB All-Star Game appearance.

Michael Wacha (P)

New York Mets

Wacha gets a change of scenery after pitching seven years with the St. Louis Cardinals. For his career, he is 59-39 with a 3.91 ERA and 759 strikeouts in 867.2 innings. Wacha owns a 2015 MLB All-Star Game appearance and a 2013 National League Championship Series MVP trophy.

Naquin should be a starting outfielder in Cleveland, while Stripling will take the mound on Opening Day for the Dodgers. Wacha will likely get the start for the Mets on Monday.