By Matthew Musso
Thursday is Opening Day in Major League Baseball. On the eve of one of spring’s best days, let’s look at where several former LSU stars will begin their season.
Opening Day Rosters
Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Fresh off his National League Rookie of the Year season, Skenes begins year two in The Show atop the Pirates rotation, earning the first Opening Day start of his career. The Tigers former ace enjoyed a very productive spring, turning in a final line of 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA in five starts. Skenes punched out 23 in 18 innings pitched.
Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies
The Baton Rouge native is set to begin his 11th year in MLB on Thursday. Nola will, once again, be a part of the Phillies starting rotation. Like Skenes, he enjoyed plenty of success this spring. Nola finished with a 1-0 record with a 1.84 ERA in 4 starts. He struck out 17 in 14.2 innings pitched.
Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays
Hard to believe, but Gausman is embarking on season 13 on Thursday. He will assume one of the starting rotation spots for the Jays. The former Tiger hurler will be looking for more success in the regular season after a tough spring training. Gausman registered an ERA north of seven in three starts.
Alex Bregman, Boston Red Sox
Bregman makes a decade in pro ball in 2025, but it’s year one in Boston. The two-time World Series Champion has enjoyed historic success at Fenway Park as a visitor and now will call the famed stadium home. LSU’s former shortstop will likely occupy third base for the Sox. Bregman hit .279 with three home runs and 10 RBI in 43 spring at bats.
Jake Fraley, Cincinnati Reds
Fraley’s fourth season in Cincinnati will be his seventh overall in The Show. He’s carved out quite the role with the Reds. Chances are he’s ready to see the regular season arrive after a rough go of it in spring. The former LSU outfielder hit just .167, with one home run and four RBI. In his last game, he knocked a double and drove in two. Hopefully, a sign of things to come over the next 162 games.
Josh Smith, Texas Rangers
Josh Smith should have been an All-Star in 2024. He enjoyed the best season of his young career, setting high marks in batting average, home runs and RBI. Smith won the Silver Slugger Award for his efforts. In spring training he’s seen time in the outfield, first base, shortstop, and third base. The former World Series Champion hit .213 with one home run and three RBI in 47 spring at bats.
Dylan Crews, Washington Nationals
Crews made his MLB debut in August of 2024. He played in 31 games down the stretch for the Nats, hitting .218 with three home runs and eight RBI. He begins his first full season on Thursday, patrolling one of the corner outfield spots in D.C. The former National Champion hit .273 with five RBI this spring.
Injured List
Alex Lange, Detroit Tigers
Lange went down early in the 2024 season. The injury required surgery on his right lat. The former LSU starting pitcher will begin the 2025 season on the 60-day injured list. He is eligible to make his season debut starting May 26.
DJ LeMahieu, New York Yankees
LeMahieu was in and out of the Yankees lineup in 2024 due to injury. Early in spring training he once again found himself on the shelf. This time due to a left calf strain. LeMahieu himself described the injury as “nothing major” three weeks ago, but there has yet to be any further update. It is safe to assume he will miss opening day.
Players To Watch
Tre Morgan, Rays Organization
If there is one player to watch this season for a potential call up it is Tre Morgan. LSU’s former first baseman was named Rays Minor League Player of the Year in 2024. He spent time in A ball, High A ball, and AA ball last season. Across the three levels, Morgan hit .324 with 10 home runs and 68 RBI in 100 games. The former National Champion’s success continued this spring. In 20 at bats, he hit .300 with one home run and two RBI. If Morgan stays healthy, he should find his way to The Show in 2025.
Austin Nola, Rockies Organization
The elder Nola brother is an MLB veteran who currently finds himself on a minor league deal with Colorado. I include him here because of the spring training he turned in. Nola hit .355 with one RBI in 17 games played. He should be part of the 40-man roster and with his experience, do not be surprised if he finds his way back into the Big Leagues in 2025.
Jaden Hill, Rockies Organization
Hill made his MLB debut in 2024 and would appear in nine games for Colorado. He received a spring training invite this season and turned in some nice outings. Hill is another candidate to return to the 26-man roster at some point in 2025.
Hunter Feduccia, Dodgers Organization
Feduccia played five games for the World Series Champions a season ago, which was his first opportunity in the Major Leagues. The Dodgers are obviously stacked but after a spring training that saw him hit .292, the former LSU catcher should be on the short list to be called back up in case of injury or other ailments. Plus, he could be an attractive trade piece and find his way back to The Show that way.
