At least two dozen former American Legion Baseball players are expected to make the cut for the new MLB season.
At least two dozen former American Legion Baseball players are expected to make major league rosters when the 2026 Major League Baseball season gets underway this week.
That includes six American Legion Baseball Graduate of the Year winners, including the 2026 Graduate of the Year, Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (Post 47/Waynesville, N.C.).
The others:
· Houston Astros outfielder Jake Meyers (Post 1/Omaha, Neb.), the 2025 Graduate of the Year.
· Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Paul Sewald (Post 76/Las Vegas), the 2024 Graduate of the Year.
· Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (Post 115/Kannapolis, N.C.), the 2023 Graduate of the Year.
· Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff (Post 49/Tupelo, Miss.), the 2022 Graduate of the Year.
· Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (Post 3/Deland, Fla.), the 2021 Graduate of the Year.
Multiple alumni. While the Rangers’ roster includes two former ALB Graduates of the Year, they’re not the only MLB team who will field multiple Legion Baseball alumni.
Raleigh will be joined on the Mariners’ roster by shortstop J.P. Crawford (Post 496/Lakewood, Calif.) once Crawford recovers from a shoulder injury he’s been dealing with during spring training.
The Toronto Blue Jays could have at least two Legion Baseball alumni on their roster with outfielder Daulton Varsho (Post 54/Marshfield, Wis.) and utility Davis Schneider (Post 371/Gibbsboro, N.J.), although Schneider’s struggles at the plate during spring training could mean he begins the season in the minors.
In addition to Seager and deGrom, the Rangers’ roster includes pitcher MacKenzie Gore (Post 137/Whiteville, N.C.) and outfielder Brandon Nimmo (Cheyenne, Wyo.).
The Philadelphia Phillies, who will host the 2026 All-Star Game, also have four Legion Baseball alumni on their roster in catcher J.T. Realmuto (Post 170/Midwest City, Okla.), third baseman Alec Bohm (Post 1/Omaha, Neb.), first baseman Bryce Harper (Las Vegas) and second baseman Bryson Stott (Las Vegas).
Key dates
March 25: Opening night, New York Yankees at San Francisco Giants
March 26: Opening day
July 14: 96th All-Star Game, Philadelphia
Sept. 27: Regular season ends
Sept. 29: Postseason begins
Oct. 23: World Series Game 1
- Baseball